A Filmmaker’s Journal
One of my earliest efforts at filmmaking, this little 5-minute horror-thriller was a family production, with my wife as “the Mom,” our youngest as “the Star,” our oldest as “the Crew,” and me as “the Mogul.” Shot on a moody post-Christmas afternoon, it’s a snarky little parody of the “pursued-by-evil” horror trope — in this case a homicidal rubber ball!
Done with 90s-era home video equipment, The Way the Ball Bounces is amateurish, to be frank (hey, in my defense, even Spielberg’s home movies are amateurish), but we had fun, and learned a lot! We didn’t have the money for special effects (buying six balls used up our entire budget). But editing is movie magic, and this little project taught me how to piece together shots in order make the ball look like it was not only moving on its own, but actively pursuing the child!
I’ve always had a place in my heart for spoofs, and The Way the Ball Bounces helped prepare me for my later “cult classic” (MovieWeb) comedy Notzilla!
That was EXCELLENT!! Really well done.
Why, thank you, Sally.
You’re most welcome. The kids and Mom, Dad and I have made several movies but they are not in the same category as yours. I love the faces of the balls. Who drew them?
My wife.
Great video! 😱
Thanks, Luisa!
🙏🩵🙏
Well done! The killer ball…
Thank you, VJ!
Still laughing. You’re welcome
What!?! You’re not going to let us watch The Way the Ball Bounces??? After all the curiosity we can’t keep from bouncing on? Blessings, brother.
Hi Anne. It’s embedded right here in the blog post. Did you read this in an email? Maybe the video uses too much data for the email version. Anyway, you can watch it at YouTube, if you like: The Way the Ball Bounces (youtube.com)
Well done! “The Way the Ball Bounces” is my comfort level of horror movie-that and “Notzilla.” 🙂
;>) Thanks, Nancy!
That’s pretty scary stuff… I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep tonight. 😅 But seriously, I think you sell yourself short… It was way better than any other home movies or self productions of that day! And everyone has to start somewhere! Your creativity has no end… and thank you for the glimpse of the beginning! 🙂
Aw, thanks, dear Dori.
That was pretty awesome. 👏🏼
Thanks, Edward.
Awesome share, Mitch! 🙂
Thanks, T!
My pleasure.
That’s the way the ball bounces? That is perfect! I wish I could see that film. I love your wicked sense of humor! Your family are very good sports too!
They are indeed!
That was awesome! I love the balls faces, the whole concept, and how you made the ball look like he really was moving. It was creepy cute.
“Creepy cute” — I like it! ;>) Thank you, Sarah.
Creepy!! With a budget of 6 bouncing balls, you did really well 🙂 Maggie
;>) Thanks, Maggie.
Brings to mind “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.”
I think the home video look works super well for a horror short. Really well done!
Thank you!