Resonare: An Early Review

Last week, me and some other well-known deaf bloggers were invited to an early screening of Mösdeux's latest short film, 'Resonare'. It stars Chad W. Taylor, a fellow Canadian living California. He co-founded Mösdeux with Wayne Betts Jr. and the company is based in Roseville, California.

The objective of a short film is to demonstrate the skills of the young filmmakers. They made a powerful and successful demonstration with their previous short film, 'Vital Signs'. Clearly, 'Resonare' is an experimental short film. Like most short films should be, contain a simple storyline making it easier for the audience to follow. However, not many are made without dialogues. That's refreshing as far too many filmmakers often rely too heavily on the spoken/signed dialogues.

Very few filmmakers have made the attempt to film an entire film with no dialogues, or a foreign language. For instance, Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ'. The movie contained a dead language and not many could understand what was being said, and he's doing the same with his upcoming film, 'Apocalypto'.

As I promised to Chad and Wayne, I cannot share many details on the short film, as it would spoil the entertainment of watching a movie without knowing what it's all about. The story itself is rather simple which is what it's needed for a film of this length. I must applaud Wayne Betts, Jr. for a well-done job on cinematography. Not only that, the editing and transitions between shots was well done. Especially for a young filmmaker who's still experimenting with the art of film. The opening sequence, I thought it was well-designed and simple like it should be.

I enjoyed the film for its simplicity. I must say that a certain content of the story was somewhere strange yet humourous at the same time. I don't want to spoil it for everybody, but I do feel that I got what the object featured in the short film was in reference to. I hope many of you will get it. Oh, I must say that Amber Stanton is quite a lovely actress; she has been featured in quite a few Mösdeux productions. She wasn't given much to do in this production; she's barely a supporting actress. Chad gave a decent performance, but like I said, the story was quite simple and easy to follow, he isn't required to demonstrate a lot of emotions or anything extraordinary. He simply accomplished the task required as an actor.

Keith Wann, a child of deaf adults (CODA) and a well-known comedian among the deaf. He has a number of video footage of his comedian routines and more on Google Video. He was previously involved with some commercials produced by Mösdeux for HOVRS (Hands On Video Relay Service). Keith is quite a talented comedian; I have to say because of his knowledge of the deaf community and the hearing world. He took a 180-degree turn on this role, as it wasn't a role he was accustomed to, more of a dramatic role. Like some well-known comedians, they also are talented at demonstrating different emotions and characteristic traits. For instance, Robin Williams, an extraordinary comedian and he's one of the best dramatic actors today. If Keith Wann continues with taking on different roles, he will be able to achieve a lot more.

Oh yes, while I'm giving a highly positive review on the short film, I just have to give one tiny criticism... next time, get a better wig. As a movie buff, it made me smile to see such a bad wig because I saw it as a reminder that Wayne Betts, Jr. and Chad W. Taylor are still a couple of aspiring young filmmakers who are experimenting with the art of film.

Great job to Wayne Betts, Jr, Chad W. Taylor and everybody involved with the short film. The short film clocked in at 11 minutes and 46 seconds long. Though it may not be the final running time because they are still doing some last minute work on the audio. I send my best wishes to the aspiring young deaf filmmakers out there in the world to make a wave in the film industry. Wayne Betts, Jr and Chad W. Taylor are just the beginning of the wave.

Watch 'Resonare' on November 14th at www.mosdeux.com.