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DramaComedyDocumentaryAnimationExperimentalMusic
Laid Off
Zam Salim
average rating from 45 members 
       
comedy | 2006 | Scotland | 10 min
Published 14 Aug 07
If you thought life was rubbish, wait till you get a load of death. Laid Off follows Martin (1966-2003) as he comes to this conclusion.
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synopsis
'Laid Off' follows the recently deceased Martin (1966-2003) as he struggles to get his head around the afterlife.
short fact
"The film was made over a weekend as a bit of fun. We didn't have official backing or a budget of any kind so we shot the film in the style of a documentary. This was really liberating as we were able to work quickly and mess around with some ideas without the usual hassles. We ended up shooting hours of material and the real challenge was in the editing where we tried to strike a balance between the comedy and something a bit more reflective and philosophical. It was tough- especially as it required cutting some of the best joke and lines for the sake of the overall tone but hopefully it was worth it."
crew
  • dubbing mixer John Cobban
  • production manager Steven Meechan
  • art director Ann Marie McKenna
    		•
    cast
    • Martin John Paul Hurley
    • Michelle Vicky Allan
    • Mike Steven Ritchie
    • Counsellor Chris Waitt
    • Wife Claire Knight
    • Brendan John Ross
    format
    HD
    budget
    £600.00
    © 2006 courtesy of NITV and Zam Salim

    comments
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    comment by Nick  Barrett
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    posted Dec 24, 2007

    An excellent idea for a low/no budget short, the themes an old one but loads of fun to do. The lead had a wonderfully hangdog expression and the cinematography was perfect (were the colours muted and washed out on a mac? Or is that just the london landscape ;o) It reminded me a lot of Will Self's How the Dead Live and Beetlejuice - which am sure must have been an inspiration, particularly the bureacratic procedures behind death! Nice score as well, not too intrusive, well done!
    comment by Simon  Page
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    posted Oct 30, 2007

    Excellent idea. Well shot and acted. Great feel to the whole film.
    comment by Paulette  James
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    posted Sep 27, 2007

    Well done. Loved the idea that getting into heaven was another job interview.
    comment by Moderated Comment

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    comment by Lucia  Nicolai
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    posted Sep 20, 2007

    A Ford KA! Oh God, that line made me laugh so much. The most mediocre ending for a mediocre living, right? Anyways, great characterisation, great idea. So good to find creative ways of exorcising death. The best "Ghost-meets-Trainspotting" one could come up with.

    Lucia  Nicolai is Head of Editorial at Qoob and a member of Film Network's Industry Panel.
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    useful links
    financed by
    This film was given completion money by the Glasgow Film Office for Online editing and a Sound Dub

    world sales & distribution by
    Network Ireland Television

    subtitled film
    This film has been subtitled by the BBC accessibility team. For more subtitled short films please click here: subtitled shorts
    Network Ireland TV


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