Day two of Frightfest 2002 kicked off with another pair of short films, beginning with the latest offering from 'Razor Blade Smile' [1998] director Jake West, the twisted crime thriller / love story 'Whacked'. Photographed by Jim Solan, the director of yesterday's 'Pissboy', it's a taut, dynamic and enjoyably weird short boasting some excellent performances.

See www.eofftv.com/stuff/frightfest_2002_day2.htm for full reviews from Frightfest 2002.

See also www.frightfest.co.uk/reviews2002/ShortFilmShowcase.html for full festival listings.

EOFFTV 24/08/02

Jake West seemed an enigmatic figure. He was a voice on the telephone and an unrevealing email address. We never did actually meet. I guess that's only appropriate, however, for a filmmaker with such dark and macabre leanings.

West is developing his own style, so although his inspiration may have originally come from a plethora of stars, he is not trying to emulate any one in particular. Unlike many of his heroes, he also challenges himself with the task of producing his own scripts.

These days, West is a teacher himself, recently leading a DV and Digital Editing course at the Raindance Festival, where 'Razor Blade Smile' was the opening film in 1998, and where his new short film, 'Whacked', a twisted love story set in the London drug underworld, played this year.

The Lock 11/02

'Whacked' won a USIFF Award in the short film category at this year's US International Film Festival.

See www.filmfestawards.com for full details of the festival.

'Whacked' was awarded a Highly Commended certificate by this year's Turner Classic Movies Shorts Awards.

See www.tcmonline.co.uk for details of the competition.

'Whacked' won four awards from the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival at the Los Angeles event, 2003:

HONORABLE MENTION AWARDS
Best Short - 'Whacked'

ACTOR AWARDS - SHORT FILM CATEGORY
Best Actress - Sarah McGuinness in 'Whacked'

BEST SCREENPLAY
Best Short - 'Whacked'

SHORT FILM CATEGORY - GENRE AWARDS
Best Thriller - 'Whacked'

See www.nyfilmvideo.com/2003/April2003/awards.htm for full details of the festival awards.

'Whacked' was also screened on Sky Movies Max in a season of short films during April, May and June 2003.