A cinematographer/special effects man(Joseph Polito, Capt. Rhodes of Romero's "Day of the Dead")finds himself caught in a real snuff film, a tragic example of life imitating art.
A demanding director, Lacey(John Harrison)secretly puts in motion a planned real snuff film, having his camera and f/x pro Dominic(Pilato)and gaffer, Celeste(Susan Chapek)a major part of the central horror. Dominic believes he's finally arrived in film-making having taken the position with his director as they currently work on a slasher film. We see how the cast and crew participate behind-the-scenes as they prepare for various scenes in the film they're working on. A troubled married couple, Barney(Bernard McKenna)and his wife, and the supposed star, Rita(Debra Gordon)portray the couple on the film and we see how their relationship off-camera is crumbling. Dominic believes he has a chance at romance with Celeste, but has no clue that she is portraying a role. Dominic is indeed the tragic character of the film for he's completely in the closet about the REAL movie being made. He brings up a point to his director about slasher films..he complements his director yet complains that in order for the film to really capture an audience there must be a chase scene. He doesn't even have an idea that he would be a part of that exact argument. We bare witness as the director has a hidden film crew operating in a secret room within the house they're shooting. The director even has his effects man(..and true star)Dominic watch a snuff film reel he claims he made himself as a film student..this is both macabre and clever for the director openly admits, in a way, to having made the film, with Dominic shell-shocked at it's realism. Lacey has shown Dominic an example of what he's capable of creating..in a grand sense of irony, Dominic will be the part of a snuff film, only on a much larger stage.
I have to respectfully disagree with others who have commented on "Effects", a small independently produced, acted & directed horror flick from Pittsburgh talent, that it should've stayed lost. I personally thought it was a nifty, well crafted take on "guerrilla" film-making. The closing scene at the end, the name of the real movie being made, adds a nice little sick twist to the proceedings. I think many will indeed, as some user comments attest to, find this film a laborious, often confusing, film to sit through, but I think everything comes together quite neatly by the end. I also thought it was exceptionally photographed..this explains that independent films can have cameras which don't shake like crazy giving their audiences nausea. The opening of "Effects" pleased me because I'm a movie buff, and I was truly satisfied as the whole film, from director Dusty Nelson, comes together explaining certain odd actions(..and behavior) from our director, not to mention, why Dominic and Celeste were being shot in blue hidden from within the woods, and how it spies on them. Little moments Nelson provides us informing the viewer that something completely sinister is amiss. This might work for Backwoods horror fans, specifically the ending as poor Dominic runs for his life having no clue that there are cameras everywhere capturing/covering every move he makes, except inside one particular house. The most creepiest scene for me is the reveal of Lacey's snuff film to Dominic..it's quite masterfully staged(..a hint as to who the masked man cutting the tied female might be can be seen at the BBQ camp fire, by recognizing how the person sticks the knife into the floor)in B&W with the film stock quite shoddy displaying scars and jumps. There's a unique film score put to the film, by actor Harrison on piano he dubs "neo-classic", along with a chilling melody which shadows Lacey's scenes where his face is lighted(..while Lacey remains blanketed in darkness like a sneaky thief cautiously peeking from within a closet on the verge of snatching jewelry), and a series of drum beats during Dominic's terror in the woods. Debra Gordon has a nicely gratutous shower scene where the camera glides down her body following the soap as it travels. Violent film, but ultimately not gory.
I think the character of director Lacey is the key factor in "Effects". He seems mysterious for a reason. Too quiet..there's something not quite right about him. You know the feeling where you come across someone with a hidden agenda you can't quite put your finger on. Tom Savini(as Nicky)has a crucial part, masked in secrecy which comes out at the end..he seems, at first, to merely cause trouble to Dominic and Celeste always bringing up to his director a certain role he plans to play wondering when it would be time. In hindsight, he's ALWAYS been playing a role. Charles Hoyes portrays Lobo, a crew member who also plays a part at the end.
A demanding director, Lacey(John Harrison)secretly puts in motion a planned real snuff film, having his camera and f/x pro Dominic(Pilato)and gaffer, Celeste(Susan Chapek)a major part of the central horror. Dominic believes he's finally arrived in film-making having taken the position with his director as they currently work on a slasher film. We see how the cast and crew participate behind-the-scenes as they prepare for various scenes in the film they're working on. A troubled married couple, Barney(Bernard McKenna)and his wife, and the supposed star, Rita(Debra Gordon)portray the couple on the film and we see how their relationship off-camera is crumbling. Dominic believes he has a chance at romance with Celeste, but has no clue that she is portraying a role. Dominic is indeed the tragic character of the film for he's completely in the closet about the REAL movie being made. He brings up a point to his director about slasher films..he complements his director yet complains that in order for the film to really capture an audience there must be a chase scene. He doesn't even have an idea that he would be a part of that exact argument. We bare witness as the director has a hidden film crew operating in a secret room within the house they're shooting. The director even has his effects man(..and true star)Dominic watch a snuff film reel he claims he made himself as a film student..this is both macabre and clever for the director openly admits, in a way, to having made the film, with Dominic shell-shocked at it's realism. Lacey has shown Dominic an example of what he's capable of creating..in a grand sense of irony, Dominic will be the part of a snuff film, only on a much larger stage.
I have to respectfully disagree with others who have commented on "Effects", a small independently produced, acted & directed horror flick from Pittsburgh talent, that it should've stayed lost. I personally thought it was a nifty, well crafted take on "guerrilla" film-making. The closing scene at the end, the name of the real movie being made, adds a nice little sick twist to the proceedings. I think many will indeed, as some user comments attest to, find this film a laborious, often confusing, film to sit through, but I think everything comes together quite neatly by the end. I also thought it was exceptionally photographed..this explains that independent films can have cameras which don't shake like crazy giving their audiences nausea. The opening of "Effects" pleased me because I'm a movie buff, and I was truly satisfied as the whole film, from director Dusty Nelson, comes together explaining certain odd actions(..and behavior) from our director, not to mention, why Dominic and Celeste were being shot in blue hidden from within the woods, and how it spies on them. Little moments Nelson provides us informing the viewer that something completely sinister is amiss. This might work for Backwoods horror fans, specifically the ending as poor Dominic runs for his life having no clue that there are cameras everywhere capturing/covering every move he makes, except inside one particular house. The most creepiest scene for me is the reveal of Lacey's snuff film to Dominic..it's quite masterfully staged(..a hint as to who the masked man cutting the tied female might be can be seen at the BBQ camp fire, by recognizing how the person sticks the knife into the floor)in B&W with the film stock quite shoddy displaying scars and jumps. There's a unique film score put to the film, by actor Harrison on piano he dubs "neo-classic", along with a chilling melody which shadows Lacey's scenes where his face is lighted(..while Lacey remains blanketed in darkness like a sneaky thief cautiously peeking from within a closet on the verge of snatching jewelry), and a series of drum beats during Dominic's terror in the woods. Debra Gordon has a nicely gratutous shower scene where the camera glides down her body following the soap as it travels. Violent film, but ultimately not gory.
I think the character of director Lacey is the key factor in "Effects". He seems mysterious for a reason. Too quiet..there's something not quite right about him. You know the feeling where you come across someone with a hidden agenda you can't quite put your finger on. Tom Savini(as Nicky)has a crucial part, masked in secrecy which comes out at the end..he seems, at first, to merely cause trouble to Dominic and Celeste always bringing up to his director a certain role he plans to play wondering when it would be time. In hindsight, he's ALWAYS been playing a role. Charles Hoyes portrays Lobo, a crew member who also plays a part at the end.