WORTH WATCHING
Watch: Clever Sound-Driven Horror Short 'Blackwood' from Australia
by Alex Billington
March 5, 2019
Source: YouTube
"Wild forest, birds, trees, and wind." This short film is going to give you some serious chills. Blackwood is a new horror short film from Australia, made by production studio The Pixel Kitchen based in Melbourne, written and directed by filmmaker Andrew Montague. The short follows a sound recordist named Nikki, who tries to discover the source of a mysterious sound whilst she is out recording on location in a forest. Just watch without knowing anything else. Starring Danielle Butlin as Nikki. This is a clever concept for a short, and it's an impressively scary film, pulling off some real chills without much. This is definitely worth a watch. Also a reminder - Blackwood is a sound driven horror film, so headphones are highly recommended.
Description via YouTube: "Nikki, a sound recordist, picks up a strange sound whilst filming on location in a forest. After a disturbing encounter, she wakes up alone, confused and filthy in her house. Her only chance at finding out what happened to her, lies within her sound recorder." Blackwood is written and directed by filmmaker Andrew Montague. Made by production studio Pixel (official website), based in Melbourne, Australia. The short is produced by Haley Polacik, featuring cinematography by David Guest, and music + sound design by Nick Van Cuylenburg from White Owl Sound. For more updates from The Pixel Kitchen, follow their Facebook page. For more info on the short, visit the YouTube page. For more shorts, click here.
7 Comments
1
All that for just that?...lol...yawn! Plus...what's the point of this whole exercise? Why do all these short films reek of amateur's at work in creating mediocrity?
thespiritbo on Mar 5, 2019
2
"Why do all these short films reek of amateur's at work in creating mediocrity?" Why do people always insist on coming to sites like these and criticizing the work of others? The truth is, and you know it, is that you yourself could not achieve anywhere near the level of "Mediocrity" you so richly demean. At least they created something. At least they are not armchair quarterbacking it. I personally enjoyed it. So try instead of attempting to make yourself look like Siskel or Ebert, just stating your opinion that you liked it or not, and save the lame attempts at making yourself sound like the Judge Judy of cinema...
Chris McDermid on Mar 6, 2019
3
It's a film website, bubba where people express their opinions and/or likes or dislikes. It's a bit lame to like everything and have problems when someone else doesn't. What about me not liking something troubles you so much that you have to denigrate and try to put me down? You don't know anything about me and what I do or have done. Plus, the uncritical acceptance typical of the herd mentality is the soil where all ignorance resides. You best come to terms with criticism as it's an art form in and of itself. Ever heard of George Bernard Shaw? Again, try to learn from reading someone's point of view that's different than yours. Especially from someone who might be smarter and more experienced than yourself like I'd bet I am. You seem to have taken this very personally so maybe some therapy might help you uncover what the problem is. I worked in the film business for over 40 yrs. so my opinion(s) is an informed one. You might try to stop suppressing other people's 'right' to express their opinions, bubba. Free speech and all that. Again, your discomfort is your problem. Will you address that and not try to control others so you won't feel your discomfort? Own it, bubba.
thespiritbo on Mar 6, 2019
4
Oh come on... They're producing great films without anywhere near the resources & money & access that studios provide, which is impressive. I've seen much, much worse work than anything we post. This is good stuff.
Alex Billington on Mar 6, 2019
5
Not sure I agree with that assessment, Alex, but I respect your right to state it. I found this piece far from great and did not think it was good stuff. Yes, I've seen worse...but still...I stand fast with my perceptions on this one. Cheers.
thespiritbo on Mar 6, 2019
6
I really enjoyed the audio work. Visuals are fine, and the mystery is there. The note is..confusing at best.. but that may be the purpose. Not a big fan of the end, as I was WAY to distracted by the extremely slowly closing door behind her, and was expecting it to just barely give a hint at the threat hiding in the shadows behind it. Was hoping for some cult praying to some old GOD being the source of the sound, and them coming back for her after doing some occult shit to her.. Way more sinister than the ending they went for, but I guess they went for the classic scare. I liked it all the way up to the 2 last seconds.
ErrorSapiens on Mar 6, 2019
7
Had my attention up until halfway through. AFter that the editing could have been way tighter. Not to mention that the writing/story from that point on is a mess where I don't know what the hell is going on. But the cinematography and sound design are top notch throughout. Enjoyed it, overall.
Terry Craig on Mar 8, 2019
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