Katch-Up (2013) User Reviews

You have to keep this film in context as you watch...

[planktonrules · 5 April 2014]

"Katch-Up" is a modern silent movie homage. Using a Chaplin-like character, the film shows a guy having some pratfalls and adventures all around a ski resort. Such homages to Chapin are relatively common-- perhaps too common. However, it's well done AND was apparently made under the most insanely demanding conditions!! It was created as a result of the Olympus 72hr. Filmmaker Showdown (also called the Whistler Filmmaker Showdown). This is an annual competition where filmmakers must shoot, edit and produce a 3-5 minute short film within 100km radius of the competition! These constraints MUST be kept in mind when viewing the film. Sure, it's a bit rough and there better shorts out there--but were they made under these insanely difficult conditions?! As a result, I really don't want to give this film a numerical score--and you really CAN'T compare it to the normal output of young filmmakers. Considering "Katch-Up" ended up winning, then you can assume it's a darn good film! Worth seeing--particularly if you are a beginning filmmaker yourself.

Another ode to a magical time of cinema

[StevePulaski · 8/10 · 17 August 2013]

Conrad Schapansky's short film "Katch Up" was crowned "Best of Show" at 2013 World Ski and Snowboard Festival 'Olympus 72 Hour Filmmaker Showdown. Participants had a mere seventy-two hours to write, film, edit, and finalize a short film and submit it to the festival. Schapansky's decision was to wisely create a five minute long Charlie Chaplin homage, set to black and white photography, a catchy piano score, and infused with humorous slapstick antics to boot. The result is a quick-witted short film, akin to that of not just Chaplin films, but the silent film era, when things seemed to zip by at a breakneck pace and films weren't an art form taken advantage of by box office revenue. The short largely works because of Schapansky's (and co-writer Juan Hitta's) clear respect and appreciation for the classic and hugely significant era in film. Not to mention, the cinematography brought forth by Kevin Hardiman should remind any cinephile of the glorious snowy environment of Chaplin's classic comedy The Gold Rush. Combine the likes of old school, silent film-era filmmaking and Chaplin's ageless charisma with the timelessness of the Genie character from I Dream of Jeannie and you have a fun, delightful combination of wit that is very deserving of its accolade.

"Katch Up" is available to watch on Vimeo, vimeo.com/69297741

Directed by: Conrad Schapansky.