"Boy Soldiers" - (2003)

Directed by Julian Higgins.
Short Film. Shot on B/W Tri-X Kodak Super 8mm.
Transfered to MiniDV at Yale Labs, North Hollywood, CA.
Los Angeles City College, 2003.

2003 Los Angeles City College Film Screening Selection.

Directors notes: We shot this in one day, on Super 8mm Tri-X B/W Kodak film, in Griffith Park, Hollywood, CA. It was myself, the two actors, and a one friend holding a bounce board as the sun went down. I owned all of the American Soldiers props/costuming and put together the Japanese Soldier's costume from random finds at a Burbank surplus store - Belgian Army Hat, British Army Pouches, Ace Bandage Leg Wraps.

This was an interesting project to tackle for a film maker. It was basically all done in an old fashioned style - by hand.

For example, the opening titles and end credits were created in Powerpoint, then literally filmed directly off the computer screen. It was done this way because the final project would be projected off an 8mm projector and there was no cheap way to add digital effects to 8mm film - hence the blur around the letters. Also, there was no way to synch sound to picture on this project. When it was displayed, it was announced that the audio would be played from a CD and the projector would be turned on and you hoped for the best. I used a stop watch to time the sound effects/music cues as best I could originally, but I've takem some liberties in this digital copy to synch the music/sound mix as I originally intended it to be.

I left most of the little edit "blips" between shots in the film on this version in memory of all the hours I spent cutting this film by hand. Literally locked in a little editing room with a lamp, viewer, splicer and tape.

Over all... It was a great, if not tedious, experience and excercise working with an old format of film making. Really made you appreciate and respect the price difference in film and digital, on a smaller (more affordable) scale.

The Japanese Soldier, Terry Chu, went on to be the 2nd Unit Director of Photography on my first feature in 2005. The American Soldier, Tommy Haake, wound up taking an acting role in the very same feature. We all went to LACC together. That includes the one crew member I had that day on "Boy Soldiers", David Nowlen, who wound up doing the camera work for my feature's casting sessions. I guess what they say about who you work with in school is usually who you work with for your later projects in this business isn't too far from the truth!

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• wwii
• ww2
• world
• war
• super
• 8mm
• saving
• private
• ryan
• call
• duty
• lacc
• los
• angeles
• city
• college
• boy
• soldiers
• julian
• higgins

[Luftwaffels]

You've got the Uniform of a Third Infantry Division soldier of the European theater in the Pacific? Other than the uniform goofup, it's great. But, considering it's a short film, it's understandable.

[theparadox86]

Thanks for words. Yeah, addressed that from a comment a while ago. Here's what I said then:

You're absolutely right. Originally, it was going to be a Korean War film with the 3rd ID soldier fighting a Korean soldier - however, I only had my early WWII leggings available when I was shooting. So some creative liberty was taken. Good catch!

Also, the poem is from a Medal of Honor game. I don't recall which one.

[Commodore14]

I didnt see any german insignias in this movie. The decals on his helmet are quite different than the one the germans were wearing during the first years of the 2. WW. The decal on the right helmet site is the one from the 3rd division. I think the left one is the cross you know from poker-cards. if this is right, its the easy company.

[theparadox86]

His helmet has the 3rd Infantry Division logo on both sides.

[thrashorbethrashed]

the Gi is wearing insignia of the 3rd ID. but the 3rd ID never fought against japanese soldiers in world war 2.

[theparadox86]

You're absolutely right. Originally, it was going to be a Korean War film with the 3rd ID soldier fighting a Korean soldier - however, I only had my early WWII leggings available when I was shooting.  So some creative liberty was taken. Good catch!

[NotSoUniversal]

well i would've shot his ass

[lennyh14]

very well done. Especially liked the subtle but very important moment of mistrust as the jap soldier hands the yank his pistol. very professional and very psychologically acurate

[lennyh14]

ye the guy does think that whn he turns to get his cards and finds the jao with his gun raised. People like that won't just shoot at each other. We naturally mimic each others emotions, and the jap came in peace which the american saw. People don't just kill each other. What you are seing there is two people who don't want to be at war, and it is very well depicted.

[2ltben]

Really good for a no-budget Super 8 piece.

[ryankent1984]

this is very good. there are one or two shots i wouldnt have used, for instance the overhead shot of the american soldier lying against the tree. but overall, this is pretty fantastic for a short film.

[HistoryBuff555]

wow that is all i can say .Wow...

[DeutschKompanie1944]

that inspired me.

[fdirector23]

and yes i did know music from private ryan was used

[fdirector23]

very good! it reminds me of saving private ryan. where did you get the costume(s)?