"Frozen Claus" by Hugh DiMauro DVC 15 at DVinfo.net

Hugh DiMauro · January 5th, 2009, 11:05 AM

Hope you enjoy.

Chris Swanberg · January 5th, 2009, 05:52 PM

Very clever. Your actors have a terrific sense of comedic timing. Nice period piece props as well. All in all a very entertaining movie. Thanks !

Robert Martens · January 5th, 2009, 05:58 PM

"Santa Claus popsicle" is all I need to say. Sums up the whole movie for me, plus the whole magician thing and "plan B", it's hilarious! I may have used a different camera angle for the first shots of the truck behind Santa, only to avoid showcasing those bright LED lights wrapped around the light pole, but I got over that pretty quick.

Are the leads speaking real German and Japanese? I thought it might be gibberish at first, but it started to sound more convincing the more I watched.

Chris Barcellos · January 5th, 2009, 06:35 PM

Hugh:

I loved the magician thing in this. He kept going no matter what. This film cracked up our "wise guy" actor Dave Lawlor a lot. He gave it rave review, though he doesn't post here ! I haven't turned him into a camera geek, yet.

In the old truck sure adds production value.

The opposite of ours, this film started out dark (the historical footage of the guy with the mustache), but quickly became comical.

Lots of fun, and recommended for all.

Lorinda Norton · January 5th, 2009, 06:38 PM

Where on earth did you find those two agents??? I loved them! Everyone did a wonderful job, but those two cracked me up. Obviously, you meant for the magician to steal the show and he did just that.

The way you have been finding people with extra talents (horseshoes, magic tricks) and incorporating them into your movies really helps them shine. They’re great anyway, but it adds that extra punch and interest.

I believe you’ve got another wiener here! I mean, winner!

Catherine Russell · January 5th, 2009, 07:22 PM

Hi Hugh:

I'm Cat and this is my first exposure to DVC! I've been posting with UWOL and I must say I am blown away at the DVC films so far! We just run around outside and take shots of wildlife, but you guys are writing scripts, using actors, and developing fabulous films.

I thought this was hysterical. Very creative take on the theme. I couldn't help but balk out loud at the magician. And the newspaper spin up like the movies in the 50's was a nice touch.

I'm going to be diving into the DVC films more often!

Cat

Hugh DiMauro · January 5th, 2009, 09:03 PM

Chris S: I am consistently amazed at the degree of showmanship my volunteers exhibit. They need very little direction. I make a suggestion and they just run with it. I am blessed with having enthusiastic actors. The 1941 Dodge truck was over five hours late, sending our shooting schedule way past midnight. It's battery died on the hour drive over to the set. I paid the $68.00 replacement fee as a thank you for the owner's troubles.

Martens, you little wisenheimer! Nothing gets past you, huh? There are many anachronisms in this movie, but none so glaring as the LCD Christmas lamp pole lights. The leads are speaking in those respective languages, yes. The flatulent, well, that language is universal, right?

Chris B: I am glad you enjoyed it. That's why we made it. I made a vow that, from now on, my movies will be, at the very least, "G" rated, so anyone can watch it. I may push the envelope a tad with inuendo, but, you know, we're all grownups, right?

Lorinda: The German spy is my work partner and a German linguist. His family stated that they've never seen him so lively as he appeared in this movie! They had no idea there was this side to him! The Japanese spy is his brother who is a world class magician, having performed all over the world for dignitaries and the like, a lifetime member of the Magic Castle in Los Angeles and former employee with Japan Airlines. Oh, and as for your pun...GROAN!

Catherine: Welcome to the club! Please don't minimize UWOL's contribution to filmmaking and this website! You guys rock! I always hear how fabulous and professional the UWOL projects are, rivalling the major networks and National Geographic documentaries. Do you think I have the patience, ingenuity, intestinal fortitude, creativity or self-discipline to shoot a nature video? No way. You guys possess... True Grit! Give the DVC side a whorl! You'll have fun!

Per Johan Naesje · January 6th, 2009, 01:23 AM

Hi Hugh,
like Catherine I'm coming from the UWOL side and I'm speechless impressed what you're able to do! What impress me most is your ability to make this film so realistic, the old truck, the documentary clip of Hitler and so on... ...even though war-time shouldn't be funny to watch the end made me laugh, very surprising end.
Good work!

Andris Krastins · January 6th, 2009, 05:31 AM

I loved your film! One of the most enjoyable I have ever seen on DVC, and that's a lot.

I loved the comedy aspect, but it seemed unrealistic that two spies decide to leave their prisoner unattended and just leave for 2 hours before finishing the mission and then later show magic tricks. But hey, it's comedy and Germans are kidnapping Santa Claus, so..! :D

p.s. At first I thought you used a dummy truck with just the front!

Hugh DiMauro · January 6th, 2009, 08:58 AM

Per Johan: Your reputation as an accomplished movie maker had preceded you in a big way. Your fans on this website greatly extol your talents. So, your compliment gives me incredible satisfaction. I cannot wait to see yours.

Andris: Thank you for the wonderful compliment. As you have figured, this movie is not to be taken seriously! I wanted to make Hitler look a bit like a buffoon for hatching a plan to kidnap Santa Claus! This movie was made strictly for laughs and to exploit the linguistic and magical talents of the actors. Thanks!

Joseph Tran · January 6th, 2009, 04:34 PM

Haha, this one had me laughing out loud. I do hold the recurring magic gags near and dear to my heart. Love the off the wall silliness.

How'd you go from Hitler to Japanese leader though?! Lol...

Hugh DiMauro · January 6th, 2009, 05:57 PM

I figured you'd like the magic gags! As for the Japanese angle, I had to balance out the fact that our German spy teamed up with a Japanese spy. So I started the movie with Hitler and killed two birds with one stone by ending the movie with the Japanese angle to facilitate the Pearl Harbor gag at the end. Hope it made sense!

Jay Silver · January 6th, 2009, 08:28 PM

Hilarious! I love it when a comedy doesn't rely on just one gag throughout but keeps throwing in stuff out of left field. The background magic show was priceless and the duelling languages. I must also echo the kudos on the use of the truck - my wife will attest that as soon as it appeared I yelled at the screen "Where did he get that truck!?!"

This one's a keeper for sure.

-j

Jay Silver · January 6th, 2009, 08:30 PM

Hilarious! I love it when a comedy doesn't rely on just one gag throughout but keeps throwing in stuff out of left field. The background magic show was priceless and the duelling languages. I must also echo the kudos on the use of the truck - my wife will attest that as soon as it appeared I yelled at the screen "Where did he get that truck!?!"

This one's a keeper for sure.

-j

Jay Silver · January 6th, 2009, 08:31 PM

Hilarious! I love it when a comedy doesn't rely on just one gag throughout but keeps throwing in stuff out of left field. The background magic show was priceless and the duelling languages. I must also echo the kudos on the use of the truck - my wife will attest that as soon as it appeared I yelled at the screen "Where did he get that truck!?!"

This one's a keeper for sure.

-j

January 5th, 2009, 11:05 AM	#1
Hugh DiMauro Trustee Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,207	"Frozen Claus" by Hugh DiMauro DVC 15 Hope you enjoy. __________________ Interesting, if true. And interesting anyway.

January 5th, 2009, 06:35 PM	#4
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Hugh: I loved the magician thing in this. He kept going no matter what. This film cracked up our "wise guy" actor Dave Lawlor a lot. He gave it rave review, though he doesn't post here ! I haven't turned him into a camera geek, yet. In the old truck sure adds production value. The opposite of ours, this film started out dark (the historical footage of the guy with the mustache), but quickly became comical. Lots of fun, and recommended for all. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

January 5th, 2009, 06:38 PM	#5
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Where on earth did you find those two agents??? I loved them! Everyone did a wonderful job, but those two cracked me up. Obviously, you meant for the magician to steal the show and he did just that. The way you have been finding people with extra talents (horseshoes, magic tricks) and incorporating them into your movies really helps them shine. They’re great anyway, but it adds that extra punch and interest. I believe you’ve got another wiener here! I mean, winner! __________________ Lorinda

January 5th, 2009, 09:03 PM	#7
Hugh DiMauro Trustee Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,207	Thank you all! Chris S: I am consistently amazed at the degree of showmanship my volunteers exhibit. They need very little direction. I make a suggestion and they just run with it. I am blessed with having enthusiastic actors. The 1941 Dodge truck was over five hours late, sending our shooting schedule way past midnight. It's battery died on the hour drive over to the set. I paid the $68.00 replacement fee as a thank you for the owner's troubles. Martens, you little wisenheimer! Nothing gets past you, huh? There are many anachronisms in this movie, but none so glaring as the LCD Christmas lamp pole lights. The leads are speaking in those respective languages, yes. The flatulent, well, that language is universal, right? Chris B: I am glad you enjoyed it. That's why we made it. I made a vow that, from now on, my movies will be, at the very least, "G" rated, so anyone can watch it. I may push the envelope a tad with inuendo, but, you know, we're all grownups, right? Lorinda: The German spy is my work partner and a German linguist. His family stated that they've never seen him so lively as he appeared in this movie! They had no idea there was this side to him! The Japanese spy is his brother who is a world class magician, having performed all over the world for dignitaries and the like, a lifetime member of the Magic Castle in Los Angeles and former employee with Japan Airlines. Oh, and as for your pun...GROAN! Catherine: Welcome to the club! Please don't minimize UWOL's contribution to filmmaking and this website! You guys rock! I always hear how fabulous and professional the UWOL projects are, rivalling the major networks and National Geographic documentaries. Do you think I have the patience, ingenuity, intestinal fortitude, creativity or self-discipline to shoot a nature video? No way. You guys possess... True Grit! Give the DVC side a whorl! You'll have fun! __________________ Interesting, if true. And interesting anyway.

January 6th, 2009, 01:23 AM	#8
Per Johan Naesje Trustee Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Akershus, Norway Posts: 1,413	Hi Hugh, like Catherine I'm coming from the UWOL side and I'm speechless impressed what you're able to do! What impress me most is your ability to make this film so realistic, the old truck, the documentary clip of Hitler and so on... ...even though war-time shouldn't be funny to watch the end made me laugh, very surprising end. Good work! __________________ - Per Johan

January 5th, 2009, 05:52 PM	#2
Chris Swanberg Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 904	Very clever. Your actors have a terrific sense of comedic timing. Nice period piece props as well. All in all a very entertaining movie. Thanks !

January 5th, 2009, 05:58 PM	#3
Robert Martens Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 820	"Santa Claus popsicle" is all I need to say. Sums up the whole movie for me, plus the whole magician thing and "plan B", it's hilarious! I may have used a different camera angle for the first shots of the truck behind Santa, only to avoid showcasing those bright LED lights wrapped around the light pole, but I got over that pretty quick. Are the leads speaking real German and Japanese? I thought it might be gibberish at first, but it started to sound more convincing the more I watched.

January 5th, 2009, 07:22 PM	#6
Catherine Russell Trustee Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lyons, Colorado Posts: 1,224	Hi Hugh: I'm Cat and this is my first exposure to DVC! I've been posting with UWOL and I must say I am blown away at the DVC films so far! We just run around outside and take shots of wildlife, but you guys are writing scripts, using actors, and developing fabulous films. I thought this was hysterical. Very creative take on the theme. I couldn't help but balk out loud at the magician. And the newspaper spin up like the movies in the 50's was a nice touch. I'm going to be diving into the DVC films more often! Cat

January 6th, 2009, 05:31 AM	#9
Andris Krastins Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lielvārde, Latvia Posts: 326	I loved your film! One of the most enjoyable I have ever seen on DVC, and that's a lot. I loved the comedy aspect, but it seemed unrealistic that two spies decide to leave their prisoner unattended and just leave for 2 hours before finishing the mission and then later show magic tricks. But hey, it's comedy and Germans are kidnapping Santa Claus, so..! :D p.s. At first I thought you used a dummy truck with just the front!

January 6th, 2009, 08:58 AM	#10
Hugh DiMauro Trustee Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,207	Per Johan: Your reputation as an accomplished movie maker had preceded you in a big way. Your fans on this website greatly extol your talents. So, your compliment gives me incredible satisfaction. I cannot wait to see yours. Andris: Thank you for the wonderful compliment. As you have figured, this movie is not to be taken seriously! I wanted to make Hitler look a bit like a buffoon for hatching a plan to kidnap Santa Claus! This movie was made strictly for laughs and to exploit the linguistic and magical talents of the actors. Thanks! __________________ Interesting, if true. And interesting anyway. Last edited by Hugh DiMauro; January 6th, 2009 at 07:22 PM.

January 6th, 2009, 04:34 PM	#11
Joseph Tran Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 177	Haha, this one had me laughing out loud. I do hold the recurring magic gags near and dear to my heart. Love the off the wall silliness. How'd you go from Hitler to Japanese leader though?! Lol...

January 6th, 2009, 05:57 PM	#12
Hugh DiMauro Trustee Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,207	Thank You, Joseph! I figured you'd like the magic gags! As for the Japanese angle, I had to balance out the fact that our German spy teamed up with a Japanese spy. So I started the movie with Hitler and killed two birds with one stone by ending the movie with the Japanese angle to facilitate the Pearl Harbor gag at the end. Hope it made sense! __________________ Interesting, if true. And interesting anyway.

January 6th, 2009, 08:28 PM	#13
Jay Silver Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 112	Hilarious! I love it when a comedy doesn't rely on just one gag throughout but keeps throwing in stuff out of left field. The background magic show was priceless and the duelling languages. I must also echo the kudos on the use of the truck - my wife will attest that as soon as it appeared I yelled at the screen "Where did he get that truck!?!" This one's a keeper for sure. -j

January 6th, 2009, 08:30 PM	#14
Jay Silver Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 112	Hilarious! I love it when a comedy doesn't rely on just one gag throughout but keeps throwing in stuff out of left field. The background magic show was priceless and the duelling languages. I must also echo the kudos on the use of the truck - my wife will attest that as soon as it appeared I yelled at the screen "Where did he get that truck!?!" This one's a keeper for sure. -j

January 6th, 2009, 08:31 PM	#15
Jay Silver Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 112	Hilarious! I love it when a comedy doesn't rely on just one gag throughout but keeps throwing in stuff out of left field. The background magic show was priceless and the duelling languages. I must also echo the kudos on the use of the truck - my wife will attest that as soon as it appeared I yelled at the screen "Where did he get that truck!?!" This one's a keeper for sure. -j