Backwoods | Award Winning H. P. Lovecraft Horror Adaptation By Ryan Mackfall
Вставка
- Опубліковано 9 лют 2022
- 1907, Massachusetts. A scholar drifts from his path and finds himself in a house he takes for deserted. Deserted, apart from a beguiling book containing dark secrets that exerts a powerful hold over those who come into contact with it.
#DirectorsNotes #WeAreDN #horror #shortfilm #hplovecraft #adaptation
SUBMIT YOUR FILM - directorsnotes.com/submit/
SUBSCRIBE TO DN ON UA-cam - ua-cam.com/users/DirectorsNo...
'BACKWOODS' by RYAN MACKFALL - www.ryanmackfall.com
"I entered into music videos and documentary originally to gain experience as a filmmaker, I viewed the music industry a bit like a training ground. I wanted a place for my creativity to flow in a way that was unhindered, and this was how I came to start working with punk bands who often gave me unlimited freedom to create. Directing is a job that relies heavily on clear communication and the relationships formed around the people you work with, so there’s no better way to hone that than being in a van or on a bus with anything from seven to 20 other people for a long period of time. Documentary was the first place really to inform my style, and turning up to a venue or a city where you know nothing forces you to find the bounties around you to tell your story. I think this skill is invaluable in filmmaking because despite the best laid plans we make there are always changes and situations which require you to turn on a dime at a moment’s notice.
As I became more at home in documentary it was a natural progression to start creating narratives for music videos. It’s worth noting though that my directing approaches in documentary are often very different to those on set, so it’s interesting to consider that when one followed the other. Now I’m in the place where I’ve pushed my music videos more towards high concept short films, and this is something more bands are coming to me for. I love it because it feels like an honour to be given money by a label to make a short in a short space of time, opposed to the usual short film funding routes which can take much longer. It’s all practice for me and the team as we wind up towards making feature films, the ultimate goal that has been inside me since day one."
READ OUR FULL INTERVIEW WITH RYAN - directorsnotes.com/2022/02/10...
// Credits //
Director - Ryan Mackfall
Writer - Neil Fox
Producer - Kingsley Marshall
Producer - Ryan Mackfall
Producer - Neil Fox
Key Cast:
The Scholar - Ciaran Clarke
The Old Man - Kevin Horsham
Shepherd Boy - Noah Wallace
Art Director - Lee Evans
Editor - Stine Tondelstrand
Music - Johnny Dang
Music - Tanner Merritt
First AD - Natalys Willcox
Camera Operator - Faith Glenister
Editing Assistant/DIT - Billy Child
1st AC - Joshua Bransgrove
2nd AC - Katie Lai
VFX Supervisor - Rosa Mulraney
VFX Supervisor - Matt Tinsley
VFX Compositor - Callum Lewis
VFX Compositor - Chad Greenway
Colourist - Katie Dymmock
Drone Camera - Simon Wilson
Gaffer - Ryan Sharpe
Best Boy - Andrew Nile
Location Sound - Jude Lilley
Sound Assistant - David Swarbrick
Production Assistant - Francesca Brotherton-Cottrell
Sound Design - James Chatwin
Sound Design - Steph Roy
ABOUT DIRECTORS NOTES
Since 2006 Directors Notes has curated the world's best independent films alongside exclusive daily deep dive interviews which provide behind the scenes insights into the inspirations and production stories of the most talented filmmakers on the planet.
Website: www.directorsnotes.com/
Follow DN on Instagram: / directorsnotes
Follow DN on Facebook: / directorsnotes
Follow DN on Twitter: / wearedn
Sign up to the DN newsletter: eepurl.com/dvnj45
Published on this channel with the express permission of the filmmakers. - Фільми й анімація
How visiting that one uncle you havent seen in a while feels
absolute perfection!!! The best adaptation and the highest production quality I've ever seen in a HPL story. My hat off to the entire team behind this gem!
Glad this resonated with you as strongly as it did us. You'll be glad to hear that Ryan and his team will be venturing back into the word of HP Lovecraft in a future feature film...
Wow
Perfectly captured the tension of that story, and I love the ending they chose.
Outstanding story! Proof, as it happens, that Lovecraftian productions need not be monstrous affairs with millions sunk in CGI...you just need a competent writer who can distill the ineffable essence of indescribable horror into unsettling and existentially unnerving atmosphere. Maybe it's impossible to do justice to diablodicies like _In the Mountains of Madness_ and _The Call of Cthulhu_ whose vast and diverse settings demand grave investment but, smaller-grounded stories like this one are ripe for the picking.
Great points here victor and thank you for the very kind words. I think what you’ve said here is so true. And to be honest, my goal is to direct a feature length on but we will be doing whisperer in darkness. I would LOVE to have a go at Innsmouth and Dunwich Horror too. But one step at a time haha.
@@TheRyanMackfall
I wish you best of luck in that endeavor; let no one and nothing deter you
We’re trying! We appreciate the feedback from lovecraft fans like yourself. Helps us consider all angles!
This is a wonderful dramatisation of HPL' s short story. Excellent in every way!
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!
I barley understood what that bearded guy was saying. xD
Wow this was an excellent adaption! Such attention to detail, beautifully made! Loved the visuals in the beginning as well! Always looking for new Lovecraft adaptions, this is one of the better new ones Ive seen recently!
thank you! We're testing the water with this for a feature for a different story. I really want to make it as period/story true as possible! Appreciate you watching and leaving feedback!
@@TheRyanMackfall- The original ending would have been ridiculous, here.
@@julietfischer5056 indeed... it's one that is for the imagination, straight off the page. I wanted to portrait the characters clearly for the first time and show their juxtapositions as reality bites for the first time!
The Picture in the House is one of HPL’s creepiest stories. The growing unease building up to the final horror. 😊
Stunning audio and excellent visuals. The atmosphere is unsettling. Excellent quality.
Very true, Ryan really does capture the unnerving tone Lovecraft in this.
A nice adaptation of The Picture in the House. Well done.
Don't know what to say nothing happened but that was so spooky. Well acted Great job cast and crew.
Completely agree that there's exceptional craft on display here, hoping to see more from this team in the near future
What can I say that others have not?. Loved it!
Thanks for watching!
@@DirectorsNotes Thank you for the film :P
Really well done. 'The Picture in the House' was the first Lovecraft story I read, very well adapted here.
fantastic production value on this, the sound design was perfect, loved it. The pacing was excellent, the cinematography was fantastic, the editing was beautifully done. Writing, atmosphere, acting, everything really enjoyed it.
I've watched more Lovecraft movies and shorts than I can count and this is a masterpiece in the genre. Well done!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Well this really is high praise… thank you Snafu! This was practise and groundwork for a feature adaptation. We’re doing whisperer in darkness eventually… and we’re taking the same vibes and lessons into that. A ways off production yet but steps are being taken. We appreciate feedback like this from lovecraft fans!
@@TheRyanMackfall You've got some great talent! I've probably seen dozens of the picture in the house adaptations and this is one of the best.
Even months after watching it I still remember how you introduce the old man, Love the atmosphere\tension in the first interaction, genius to obscure\block the face for as long as possible. Great job with the concept\storyboarding\planning! I'll have to keep an eye out for your next work!
@@Sn4fu so kind! It’s really split people down the middle on letterboxd but I wanted an off the page adaptation. I feel like we did the best we could, so reading this kinda praise is great! Thank you.
Very well done, you’ve created that Lovecraftian atmosphere perfectly.
Thank you! This was created as a test for that. Happy to hear this feedback!
Perfect!
Wonderful! I loved Lovecraft back when I was a spacey adolescent, and this was an enjoyable reminder of that time. I've got to quibble with the old guy's accent, though. It has been a long time since I have heard a rural New England accent in person so maybe I'm wrong--but this sounded more southern to me. Fun clip anyway, thanks for posting.
In the story, it was an older form of New England accent. Aspects of the modern accent can sound 'Southern' given the slight drawl in some words.
@@julietfischer5056 spot on juliet. There's a good one in pet cemetery from the old man in that story. As someone who comes from a part of the UK with a specific accent I was concerned how well we pulled it off but people at HPL fest said it was spot on so... one for debate maybe but the actors did superbly considering neither are from the USA!
i wanna see a full of this....vibe is on point
So do we, thanks for checking it out
We're working on it... Whisperer in darkness. Watch this space! (I also wouldn't mind a stab at Dunwich Horror and Shadow Over Innsmouth haha)
👍🏽👍🏽Lovecraftian! Difficult to find films that are truly Lovecraftian and not purely horror.
Excellent job! 🔥🔥
Glad to hear you enjoyed it Jimi!
Thanks for checking it out Jimi! Glad you enjoyed. We've got a feature for a different story in early development...
WOW JAMES, A GENIUS IN THE COMMENT SECTION. THE PREDECESSOR OF THE HORROR GENRE WAS IN FACT HORROR. WOW JAMES, NOVEL CONCEPT, WHAT A SPECIAL THING TO SAY.
@@jimiarizola9871 haha now now lads, let's keep it clean. Lovecraft is indeed horror, but his style isn't representative of all horror. So you're both right in some ways.
INDIANA UNIVERSITY IS PUMPING OUT GENIUSES
I love the acting and the story plot we need more movies like this full movies
it's in the works! Thanks for watching.
Faithful to the original story, "the picture in the book", if memory serves
They did mention in our interview that remaining truthful to the original horror text was a top priority for them.
_The Picture in the House._ Save for the ending (which was required by the print story).
This is without a doubt one of the best adaptations I have ever seen. From the look of the house, thier cloths, the book. You even lifted the dialog almost line for line from the story. You got the crazy old man's diction, speech pattern and archaic language down.
I am truly impressed.
Please. Please do more.
The considered attention to detail throughout is one of the things that resonated with us.
@@DirectorsNotes I can see that, and I truly am impressed.
Thanks Jericho! Don't worry... we've got a feature in the works! Not of this story, of another (Cthulu mythos but not directly starring our evil god friend).
@@TheRyanMackfall cool. Can't wait
@Stephanie Slayer Thanks for watching Stephanie! Glad you enjoyed it!
🎉❤bravo most excellent 👏🏾 👌🏾
Well done!!
Thanks for checking it out
and at that moment he knew he was f......
Another obscure artist, lost in the fogs of men's minds, obscured. From one to another, fill a cup.... rejoice. Nine thumbs are better than a million if they are true
👏🏾
Wish it wasn’t so dark so they actually see what’s going on 🤷🏼♂️
Nothing supernatural about the book itself. The old man liked that one particular picture, which is why it opened easily to that page.
❤❤
what book is he reading. quattronomicon?
It's creepy.... But I was left confused. what Happened??? Still a very nice-looking film. :) Also what's up with the ending?
What the hell was that?!?!?
i don't understand the ending or the point of this. blood drips from the ceiling onto the book and ...
When he was describing to the Genealogist how he really liked looking at the picture of people murdering and devouring each other he hinted what it would be like to consume human flesh. "They say meat and blood make you live longer". He also said it was "fun" after looking at the picture to kill sheep. The blood that drips down while he is speaking about consuming human flesh is meant to make you think that he just finished killing someone upstairs and that the Genealogist is next.
@@1headphoneguy hmm I guess I didn't pay close enough attention. thx for the breakdown.
I don't understand the story.
And I didn't understand what the bearded man was saying. Too much mumbling and too heavy accent?
Can someone please explain the story to me?
You did so well to clone Donald Moffat!
Tucker Carlson meets Slingblade 🤣🤣
Now, now: the main character of _Slingblade_ was a basically decent guy.
I don't know 👸
?
That isn't a 1907 era bicycle.
Cut 'em a brake 🙄🚲
@@ChemEDan Good one. You got me.
You got us man haha… sadly all we could find on our budget!
In fact has not won a single award
This won the HP Lovecraft award at Rhode Island film fest.
I wonder why they chose to use a modernist woodcut. The Regnvm Congo hoc est Warhaffte vnd Eigentliche Beschreibung dess Königreichs Congo in Africa, vnd deren angrentzenden Länder, darinnen der Inwohner Glaub, Leben, Sitten vnd Kleydung wol vnd aussführlich vermeldet vnd angezeigt wirdt, published by the Brys brothers in Frankfurt am main, the edition mentioned by Lovecraft (which was published in 1597, not 1598 as Lovecraft wrote in his story) is online, with the curious plate 12 exactly as he describes it. Many's a time I go to look at it, and it puts queer thoughts in a man's head. I hev ta keep lookin‘ at ‘im. I didn‘t do nothin‘, only I wondered haow ‘twud be ef I did.
doesnt really capture the feeling of the short story in my opinion. a bit too on the nose with the sound design. and the old man doesnt really meet my image that i got from the short story. the guy playing the mc is good tho.
Sorry hear this didn't work for you. Thanks for watching.
The visuals were incredible but the story? So, some guy wanders into a crazy guy's house. Big woop. At least at the very minimum they could have, on the very last scene, have the guys appearence change in some horrid way, showing that reading this damned book affects you physically. I mean, why hide his face throughout? But nope. Just a crazy guy. Very disappointing. Great visuals and atmosphere but a huge letdown.
Backwoods is a pretty faithful adaptation of the original short story 'The Picture in the House' so it's H.P. Lovecraft rather than the filmmakers who disappointed you. Glad you enjoyed their visual craft though. Thanks for watching.
@@DirectorsNotes I never read "Picture in the House". In fact, I never even heard of it. So, I do apologize for my ignorance. And now reflecting on this and your kind information, I will take back my comment about the last scene. So few things are faithful to the original authors (any author) writings and intent now a days that I respect any Director and/or writer of a movie who in turn respects the original material. Thanks for the video and information and again, wonderful movie...especially the beginning visuals (the forest and cross roads were so deeply eerie) which drew me in.
Worth reading Picture In The House, Rob. As someone put the other day on letterboxd, this film is more of a companion piece. We really didn’t want to go too far from the story because there are MANY adaptations out there which do. I’m interested in faithful projections of Lovecraft because that’s my plan with a feature length film for another story… Obviously page for page is really hard with most Lovecraft stories but this story gave us the chance to do it and test out the aesthetics. So far the hardcore Lovecraft fan base has loved the visuals and the feel so that’s a win for me. The next story we do looks as if we cannot stick wholly to what is on the page but it will still follow the story albeit with a couple characters added in to expand further and allow us to bring it to screen. We’re a bit off anything happening though. Appreciate your comments and also your reply to DN. Hard to find people on the internet these days who admit when they might have jumped the gun. Enjoy the reading! I suggest you also listen to horror babble’s audio book for ‘the horror in the museum’ which is particularly horrible, or if you want sound design and REAL feel then try ‘The Shadow Over Innsmouth’ and ‘At The Mountains of Madness’ read by Richard Coyle (BBC productions by Ladbroke Radio). Cheers!
@@TheRyanMackfall Thanks so much for your thoughts. I just read Picture In The House and now I appreciate your movie so much more. Boy was I way off in my 1st comment. My comment about the ending was ignorant based on not having read the story. But now that I have, I see you were quite faithful. I'm also shocked that there are still Lovecraft books/stories I haven't heard of yet! Both finding a "new" story of his as well as finding your movie here, was a real treat. I look very much forward to any other content you come out with. And again, the atmosphere of this movie was gripping and drew me in, esp. the crossroads...a choice to be made. Fate to be decided. Thanks!
that would have been quite lame if he did that...