THE KILLING CHOICE
SHORT FILM
REVIEWS
Read the Reviews for the Third Short Film Production from Dougie M. Wheat & Ambition Films.
“The Killing Choice is an ambitious, comical and destructive success”
☆☆☆☆
Reviewed by Kellie Walton
Dougie M. Wheat’s third production through the Ambition Films business showcases the writer/director’s consistent improvement of the craft. The Killing Choice is his most ambitious film yet, with a run time of 27 and a half minutes of violence, crime and betrayal. This low-budget, independent short film produced by Wheat’s own production business showcases the directors ability to work within these confines and still make an enjoyable short film.
The crime drama/comedy showcases the writers ability to mix and work within multiple genres, making the short film incredibly enjoyable to watch. The storyline is exciting and anxiety inducing, with multiple twists and turns to keep the viewer fully engaged with the story. The screenplay and dialogue is very strong and is clearly written by a young male writer as it accurately depicts the young male thought process and relationships with each other.
The advertisements and promotional campaign for this short film was a huge success. Dougie Wheat advertised on the Ambition Films Instagram page with character posters, promotional photos, behind the scenes content and teaser trailers. This created a lot of anticipation for the upcoming release and made it more successful. The premiere at Phoenix Cinema & Arts Centre in Leicester City was a great event with many people in attendance to see his latest work. Also, in perhaps his biggest piece of advertisement yet, Wheat debuted a digital billboard promoting the short film in Leicester which was a huge achievement for the independent filmmaker.
Leads Taylor Lacey and Charlie Walker give strong performances as Skipper and Jeans, respectively. The strength of the dialogue and performance from these two trained actors really pushes the short film forward and makes the short film more realistic to the viewer. These two performances really shined in the more dramatic parts of the short film. Writer/director Dougie Wheat also makes his acting debut in this production and is a real scene stealer even within his limited screen time. His comedic timing and physical acting carried the comedic portions of the story, specifically in the mostly improvised robbery sequence which was extremely successful and was personally my favourite part of the short film.
Compared to Wheat’s previous two releases, Last Soldiers Standing and Interrogation: Sicare921, The Killing Choice has made vast improvement in almost all senses, specifically cinematography and lighting. The camera work and directing in this production is a lot more smooth and particular, making it more professional. However, one criticism of the short film is the sound quality of the production. For future projects, I would like to see better sound equipment used so that the filmmakers sound design could be more professional and seamless as I do think the viewer will pick up on this.
Overall, this production was a huge success for Dougie M. Wheat and all cast and crew involved and I believe things will only be getting bigger and better for Wheat and Ambition Films.
"The Killing Choice - Dougie M. Wheat's best Short Film to date"
☆☆☆☆
Reviewed by George Wilkinson
It is a rare thing to see a film from a young filmmaker that is packed with genuine style and ambition. Well, Dougie M. Wheat: director, star and writer, has achieved this with his new short The Killing Choice. The film is directed with confidence and flair and is performed with wit and enthusiasm, which all adds up to a suspenseful, gripping and comedic crime drama.
The scripted dialogue of the The Killing Choice oozes cleverness and wit. Lines are written in a Tarantino-esque way, often it seems the characters are talking about nothing of interest, yet Wheat manages to keep the audience engaged due to sharp conversations and clever quips. And there seem to be elements of improvisation. The actors look as if they are riffing off each other, almost like they are shouting over each other so they can be the one to tell the best joke or make the more sincere threat.
That sense of fun is what makes the short film such a success. The performances of the actors are pivotal in achieving this, such as during the sequence where the boys are waiting for their driver, they turn an argument into a comedic spectacle. The exaggerated delivery of Wheat’s lines during this sequence are the perfect contrast to the more reserved and deadpan delivery of Taylor Lacey’s lines.
Some might make the point that some of the special effects look slightly amateur. There’s a scene during the climax of the film, which I won’t spoil, where the use of special effects is noticeable. But it’s clear that this was due to budget restraints. However, this can be ignored, because the rest of The Killing Choice looks incredibly professional as it manages a stylistic flair way beyond its budget.
The Killing Choice achieves this level of flair through its use of cinematography. The film opens with a collection of shots which show us the surrounding city. Here, Wheat’s handheld camera weaves us through the city. As we pass through different areas, the camera remains fixed upon capturing distant neon lights. Often the shots of these neon lights are unfocused. The luminous blue of the distant city lights clashes with the glowing white of the streetlights. This clash shows us that The Killing Choice is not just a comedy, but a suspenseful drama filled with conflict.
So, it is clear that The Killing Choice should not only be considered a good short film for an 18-year-old filmmaker, but as a good short film. All of this means that the The Killing Choice is able have more interesting and engaging dialogue. That comedic undertone within this short film would not have been achieved without the timing and line delivery that these actors bring to this short film. It manages to look stylish on a limited budget. The future is bright for these young men and it would seem that the future is bright for Ambition Films.
"Triple Standouts Performances from Dougie Wheat, Charlie Walker and Taylor Lacey"
☆☆☆☆☆
Reviewed by Matthew Pickett
This short action film by Ambition Films is a truly thrilling ride. Every twist and turn presents the audience with a challenge - providing a captivating story of a team in full SIEGE against a bigger enemy and striving for ultimate victory and pulling of the heist of the century. As expected, the stunning opening sequence heavily reminiscent of the classic James Bond films of the '60s sets the stage for a high-octane adventure. The talented cast, headed by local actor Taylor Lacey, holds up an amazing performance throughout the entire short film. Following up his second screen performance is Charlie Walker, whose hard-hitting and comedic performance as Jeans is a breath of fresh air. From the helm of the writing and directing this short film is Dougie Wheat, expertly marshalling the cast through the thrilling heist journey. Even the production itself is stellar, benefiting from collaborator Oskar Dulko as the Second Cameramen and assisting as Director of Photography on the Killing Choice for Ambition Films.
The story takes you to the ultimate conclusion involving a ‘killing choice’ and its consequential outcomes. With its cleverly crafted script and high-impact action sequences, this is definitely a short film worth watching. If you’re looking for an adrenaline filled ride with a great cast - you can’t go wrong with ‘The Killing Choice’! premiering in Leicester and released on YouTube this Christmas. It’s Dougie Wheat’s Christmas answer to Die Hard.
It’s an intense, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride of a short film that was directed by Dougie Wheat. His latest effort is a spectacularly produced short film by Ambition Films that features a captivating opening sequence that echoes the style of "From Russia with Love". The story follows Skipper, D, and Jean as they battle for glory and try to pull off the heist that pits them against one another and the law. The short is filled with a wonderful array of stunning cinematography, leaving D, Jeans and Skipper with choices to make that come with deadly consequences.
The cast of this short film features triple standout performances from Dougie M. Wheat, Charlie Walker and Taylor Lacey, who has been a frequent collaborator of Dougie Wheat in the past for shorts like Last Soldiers Standing and Interrogation: Sicare921. His masterful storytelling style recalls directors like Justin Lin and Louis Leterrier, and The Killing Choice does an excellent job of showcasing his talent.
If you haven’t stepped into a cinema before with Dougie Wheat, The Killing Choice, stands as a testament to his growth and development as a filmmaker. This particular work showcases his strongest directing debut yet, exemplifying his ability to create a fast-paced narrative that immerses the audience in the story. As Dougie's intelligence evolves, he skilfully motivates viewers to enter the minds of his young cast, making them an integral part of the story. The moral victory at the heart of The Killing Choice adds depth to the narrative, demonstrating Dougie's keen understanding of the stakes and risks involved in his characters' lives.
Reflecting on his work, Last Soldiers Standing, Dougie's creative genius shines through his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to create suspenseful moments as well as strongly emotive moments. This film keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the next twist and turn. Dougie's talent lies in his ability to develop characters that resonate with the audience, making them emotionally invested in the story. By immersing the audience in the minds of his characters, Dougie successfully creates an intense viewing experience that leaves a lasting impact.
Dougie Wheat, an emerging filmmaker, has proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with in the society of creative writing. Through his films Last Soldiers Standing, Interrogation: Sicare921, and now The Killing Choice, Dougie showcases his ability to captivate audiences with his unique directing style and ability to delve into the minds of his characters. His mastery of creating suspenseful narratives and his keen understanding of stakes and risks make him a standout talent in the industry.
Having served as a Cameraman, this provided me with the unique opportunity to work on the underground car park scene of a short film picture which was a truly humbling experience. It was amazing to be surrounded by such passionate and talented filmmakers and actors, all of whom had a clear vision and knowledge of what they wanted to achieve. Everyone was so dedicated that the set felt like a buzzing hive of creativity.
While working on the production, I had the chance to assist in developing the look for the scene, and I could tell that my input was valued by all of the team members. Working on a set is a unique process, where the vision of the director is paramount, but it was reassuring to know that my ideas were also valued and appreciated. It was incredible to experience the collaborative atmosphere of the set, At the end of the shoot, I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride in the work and final short films edit. Working on this set with such a passionate and professional group of creatives was a true pleasure.
This short action film by Ambition Films is a rollercoaster of excitement that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats. From the very first frame, the audience is catapulted into a world of thrilling twists and heart-pounding turns.
Get Ready to sit in the Hotseat of what is sure to be one of the most exciting short films of the season by this growing filmmaker. It's a thrilling ride from start to finish, and it deserves a five out of five star rating from this reviewer. This short film is sure to be a hit with audiences, and will be remembered as one of the most thrilling action short films of Dougie M. Wheat’s Career to date.