Patreon Exclusive: Forget About Everything For Awhile - Commentary w/ Mason Carter

This was really fun to listen to, thanks for doing this! I believe Forget About Everything for Awhile was the first film I watched of yours and I was constantly enjoying your visuals with their subtle complimentary beauty within the colors, windows, luscious greenery of the location, moving camera shots, and the repeated shots (especially the repeated ones, those were absolute perfection). Congratulations on making such a beautiful film! Firstly, it's amazing how the only light that you had gone out of your way to set up (the pool reflection) created a visual tension, but also harmony, between each side of the house - Joel's side being blue, and the compliment to Mason's orange side. I love how that worked out. Something that the commentary really hit home for me was the improv film-making adding tension to the viewing experience, hah! I WAS curious to see how each scene was going to go anywhere and that was solely because I knew it was improv. The beauty in how the art form it was made in supports the narrative in such a way is a neat and unique aspect of this film! Another perfect outcome is the satisfying pattern in the narrative shown through your repeated shots! The subtle humor in waking up again by the pool with PTSD, but then, as the commentary points out, also with growth in the narrative became such a successful and important tool. Makes me think about my own comics and how repeated shots could affect my work too! Love it! Anyway, just felt like I had to say something here in the commentary chat. So glad this film was made, and thanks for being an awesome fellow artist Joel! 🧡💙

Korah

Thanks so much for watching and listening. There are so many things I love about improv, but it wasn’t until this commentary track that I put into words that lack of regret that comes with it. Expectations create disappointment, whereas the lack of expectations is the foundation of true improv. I’m glad the emotional moments were able to land for you. I’ve had more pathetic moments in my life than I can count and lemme tell ya they’re the saddest by far hahaha. I hope to get some friends on for other commentary tracks, it’s certainly easier than just talking to myself. Wish ya the best!

Joel Haver

Happy to hear it! It was important to us that it didn’t feel like a Covid film but still a film that could’ve been made during Covid. Thanks for watching :)

Joel Haver

Really liked this one, I've never watched an improvised film, what a cool format. I like that you said it's hard to "regret" anything since it's just what happened in the moment. What a lovely creation. I also love that we never learn the character's names. It's like they are instances of so many people and parts of us as humans and both of you. I cried at the end too. I think the emotional scenes were done so well and agree that they are often over-done in big movies. The reality is they are usually pathetic and not extreme. Loved that you reflected that. Thanks for the commentary, it was fun to hear about how you both brought this to life :)

Sarah Murphy

Definitely didn't feel like a covid film. I didn't even know when this was made when I was watching it. I thought it was a very original concept. I liked it.

Thanks so much for listening Dan! Happy to hear you enjoyed it. I'm glad I got Mason to record it with me, I definitely want to do that on the commentaries for the films heavily involving more people. The house was crazy nice, I had no idea driving down and as soon as we got there the inspiration came naturally. It's definitely a lot of fun to lean into your differences with friends on camera, it creates a very specific kind of tension.

Joel Haver

Another fantastic commentary from you Joel, also great to hear mason get to talk about his perspective on the film. I find this film to be possibly your most underrated. The cinematography might just be the best on this one, I love the simple tranquility to every frame. I think the house gives so much character to the film and makes this feel higher budget than it is. I really hope you and mason get to make another feature film together because this friendship really blossoms into some amazing scenes. I love the tension between your personalities kinda reminds me of me and Joel Dik, its a certain type of tension only truly great friends can have with each other on camera.

Dan Lotz

I have added the film to my bookmarks bar and will hopefully watch this after seeing it!

Noor