Movies You Made: “I’m So Sorry To Hear About Henry”

A note from Matt Latham:

Hi Scott,

I’m a long-time reader and also used to contribute regularly on the old GITS forum. You also featured one of my short films, AT LEAST THE DEVIL IS HONEST, on the blog, along with an interview with me, all of which I’m still very thankful for!

I’ve recently completed a new short film called I’M SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT HENRY, which recently played at the Cannes Film Festival as an official selection of their Short Film Corner. I got to go to Cannes with the film, which was a fantastic experience. Anyway, the film is available to view online now.

I think the story of the process from script-to-screen may also be interesting for your readers, because we had a rehearsal period, during which we changed quite a lot of things that really made the movie work much better. This has become my go-to process now, because I am the writer and director of my projects, so I write a script that I expect to change a lot. I approach rehearsal as a re-writing session, and find that it’s the perfect time to see what can be cut (I’m a fan of cutting dialogue down when I can), and what can be expressed through blocking instead of dialogue.

If anyone were to compare the script to the finished film, I think they’d likely agree that the finished film feels fuller than the script, even though the script contains a significant amount of dialogue that didn’t end up in the film.

You can find the finished film here.

And you can find a PDF copy of the script here.

The most valuable things that we discovered during rehearsal/production that was not in the script were: a tear that runs down Addie’s cheek that reveals so much without a word, expressive blocking and camerawork, replacing some maudlin dialogue with an outburst of laughter, and ending the film with an unnerving coughing fit. These are things that I would never even think to write, but they make the film work.

Anyway, I hope you’ll find the film interesting and consider sharing it on the blog.

Also, I’m currently editing together my next short film, called IT FELT GOOD TO HAVE THIS PAIN. There’s a trailer here. And a Facebook Page for it here which you can “like” in order to follow what’s happening with that film.

Thanks so much, Scott, for all that you do! Your blog has meant a lot to me over the past few years.

- Matt

Here is I’m So Sorry To Hear About Henry:

Quite a few ideas from Matt about how to approach making and marketing short films. Congratulations, Matt, and thanks for sharing some of your experiences as a filmmaker.

Why don’t you head into comments and give Matt some feedback?

Tomorrow: Another “Movie You Made.”

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