FREDERICK | Omeleto

A famous artist has a controversial project.
FREDERICK is used with permission from Traci Hays. Learn more at tracihays.com.
Frederick is an artist, gallery owner and art world scion struggling with inspiration and fresh ideas. His work isn't resonating or gaining any attention, and critics mock his paintings as derivative.
But after a period of agitation, he comes across a new set of ideas that pulls him into a more sinister direction in his work. His own life and self also seem to darken -- something that doesn't escape the notice of a detective investigating a series of local murders.
Directed by Traci Hays and written by Josh Mann (who also plays the lead role of Frederick), this short dramatic thriller is a cerebral exploration of how far one artist will go for inspiration, and just how far he will go to achieve it. Told with a stylized panache that suits its main character, it moves quickly and builds up a central mystery about the blurred lines between life and art.
The storytelling quickly immerses viewers into a stylish but cloistered milieu, a pocket of the art world in its mix of grit and glamour. Accompanied by a foreboding, rich musical score, the film quickly lays its intriguing building blocks in place, almost like a Cubist painting. Each piece of the story offers a slightly different angle on Frederick, from his ravenous need to make his mark to his contempt for the uncultured around him.
Frederick is the namesake and central character of the film, and his decisions and perspectives drive the momentum forward. With terrifically stylized dialogue, Frederick is played by Mann with commitment and intensity. Frederick is erudite, embittered, cold and driven, with an unmistakable dark side. He's compelling to watch because he simply doesn't care about the people around him, and he's willing to pursue his creative vision to its extreme ends.
The dramatic question becomes how far he will go to succeed, and just how blurred the lines are between his dark art and his real life. When a detective enters the picture pursuing a series of murders, the pace intensifies -- sweeping into a thrilling, surprising conclusion that's richly ironic.
What makes FREDERICK so compelling and resonant is how the film's surprises dovetail with the apex of Frederick's vision, implicating both his gallery audience and even viewers themselves. Through deft storytelling and moody stylishness, the short tantalizes with its possibilities of violence and sensationalism. It fulfills them, with a twist -- one that provokes questions of why we want to delve into the darkness, what we hope to find there, and what that says about us.

[@mspears_bobobuddytheseniorcat]

Imagine if an artist did that but secretly was also a real serial killer that painted real victims as well as public posed ones. People may not suspect them and just think it’s all models. So creepy! Very interesting story!

[@antiavalentine9725]

Check "Art school confidential"

[@GwenActually]

This gives me an idea, brb

[@9domi99]

Imagine if a screen writer did that but secretly was also a real serial killer... Or imagine if a person in the KZbin comments wrote that but secretly was also a real serial killer...

[@MotionlessKnight]

This was good, but the one part I found rather unconvincing was when the officer shot Fredrick. One would think that the girls would have immediately reacted as soon as the officer pulled the gun out to clarify that they were indeed alright to prevent him from firing, as they had a number of seconds to do so. Still enjoyed it, though.

[@beingsentient]

C'mon. Give the filmmaker some leeway to transmit the message. You may as well complain that the color red used wasn't really the color of blood.

[@ikewhite6832]

That beginning was halirious. Then I was shocked... what a rollercoster Keep up the great work- these are better then theater quality.

[@rggndfw]

This one definitely leaves you wanting more, and the acting so good.

[@cahidijoyoraharjo7833]

I really thought Frederick's a serial killer. The writer tricked me into thinking that. Good job!

[@abinothayyilsanoj4182]

It was a plot twist at the very end . Cool

[@cahidijoyoraharjo7833]

@@abinothayyilsanoj4182 Yeah, a good one.

[@abinothayyilsanoj4182]

@@cahidijoyoraharjo7833 definitely

[@clamhammer2463]

No, society tricked you into thinking that.

[@tjmmcd1]

YES, you WERE tricked. This point was subtly made @10:45. These Satanic abuse torturers-murderers maintain public personas or cover stories, in addition to having friends in high places who will NEVER allow them to be convicted. Those in these utterly diabolical secret societies SWEAR OATHS to protect each other. The painter WAS a torturer-serial killer, but was sure to maintain a cover story as an upstanding citizen.

[@WishAtElevenEleven]

As a freelance model myself, this artist is super red flaggy. Murderer or not, I would absolutely not work with him based on how he treated his models.

[@yennefer440]

They were just acting though. He didn't seem so bad to them.

[@WishAtElevenEleven]

@@yennefer440 of course they were acting. I meant if this was a real situation. For example, the model didn’t know if/when she would get paid.

[@paulhynes170]

it was part of his character he had to make you believe he was this way until the twist

[@Xylarxcode]

He's also an artist of good enough renown to get his own galleries. You really think he can get that with a reputation of not paying his models? He may not be a pleasant man to work for, but he will pay you for your time, if you deliver the sort of modeling job he asks for. Whether you want to do that or not is up to the model. I'm just saying, this dude appears to be loaded and doing modeling work for him would likely be a step up for many of the girls. It'd be a great addition to their portfolio. If they can get past his creepy behaviour. I assume that modeling gigs are hard to come by and landing a job like this one would probably be worth putting up with some discomfort, knowing how many doors it can open for you in the future. He does come emit that red flag behavior, but it's just artist eccentricity.

[@eugenetswong]

Wish, I agree. I think that the cop was wise to shoot him.

[@Panwere36]

There is something wrong with anyone who would "go that far" to produce "art". it is still very dangerous and very unhinged.

[@GwenActually]

no it's not, grow up

[@beingsentient]

You don't get it.

[@Panwere36]

@@beingsentient , no, I got it.. that is the problem.

[@thewatcher9480]

I think that was the point. and yes it's super creepy, the guy is fked up inside

[@jodytrimble8986]

This was brilliant, well done

[@anilachar323]

I always thought that The Joker, played by Heath Ledger, had a 'Glasgow Smile' carved out onto his face.

[@glennparker5516]

Wow! ! ! that was masterfully done, script and scenes. Great job cast and crew. That cop ain't no columbo.

[@renzo6490]

This short reminds me of the 2006 film " Art School Confidential" with Max Minghella , John Malkovich and Jim Broadbent. Directed by Terry Zwigoff

[@melmo5218]

I've heard of "death by cop". This is "career break through by cop". Spooky, twisty, great story and acting. Hovers around some dark forces.

[@elmaquiavelico5709]

This was basically Vincent Gallo's biopic.

[@durasaxon5131]

It was right out of a Detective tale. The artist is now more famous than any artist in America. Well done mini movie! 🏆

[@rituparna6133]

...and Picasso said It was you! The protagonist body language and performance is great!

[@nataliewilliams9741]

And he manipulated that cop into becoming the object of Picasso's logic! Fabulous!

[@rituparna6133]

@@nataliewilliams9741 absolutely

[@sosa7883]

He turned on the lights after being shot 🤣lol

[@OnlyTheChronic]

Why would anyone pay to go watch a movie when you have the best entertainment in the world all in one collection with Omeleto? This is a masterpiece in itself, brilliant writing.

[@Winkmyster]

Wonderful makeup/practical effects done by the team, it was like viewing a museum of ryona.

[@resolecca]

Truely a masterpiece in every sense of the word

[@averyrowan4544]

This was really suspenseful and also good art.

[@cheriekarley2479]

Brilliant. This one really makes you think. Cheers cherieK 🦋🌈🐿🇦🇺

[@LivBlanks]

Bot please self destroy in ..3...2....1.

[@nixgrey]

the beginning was awkward haha

[@craigjohnson4302]

This should have been entitled "A Rush To Judgement"

[@jamesharper9710]

But seriously who painted the 🖼??? It’s really good!

[@alabasterlight]

The artist is Joseph Adolphe from Canada, born 1968. Check him out, you can see his style in the paintings done for the film.

[@jamesharper9710]

@@alabasterlight oh wow thanks for the information. I totally forgot that I asked this question two months ago. I appreciate u taking the time and supplying me with that information.

[@almishti]

That was the most macabre laughter I have ever emitted in my life. I scared myself with it. Well done.

[@Biztalkcontrolcenter]

Absolutely entertaining and brilliant

[@paulnipper4071]

Excellent use of the devise of irony

[@GlennsFastReviews]

And the question remains unanswered.

[@racheldark6451]

Divine work..🖤

[@totta0soso]

I feel like I just watched a two hour movie , this is way better than Netflix

[@tanusreemridha6303]

Wow, brilliant.

[@danglybit1]

convincing cast..great dialogue..brilliant really

[@marih3286]

The lengths people will go to for publicity! The families, friends and coworkers of those women would be forever traumatized because of a publicity stunt. Oh and one career ruined (cop) to boot. Glad it's only a movie.

[@lastmanstanding2622]

The officer was actually an art critic.

[@metermorphose]

Wow, what a plot, so well acted and impressive scenery!

[@GailKuzyszyn]

Well worth a look.

[@denyserogers9892]

I think this is a message about how there are cops out here who just shoot without getting the whole real story. In the end, the artist wanted everyone to see the cop for who he really was.

[@monro2159]

Good story and good music. To play a character that is weird there is a fine balance between making it feel truthful and therefore unnerving and making it feel forced and therefore slightly comical. For me the latter was the case in this performance. Just my opinion of course.

[@RHKhan86]

This is real Art.

[@vanessaparsley3545]

Brilliant

[@Flash1857]

Vey good, thanks

[@The_Beast_666]

Great superb excellent film! Loved it!

[@hcutter]

A twist on the old saying "life imitates art"! 🖌

[@mchoffner8497]

A graduate of Warhol Studios moves from urine to fresh blood as his medium.

[@nicholasvanorton7840]

🕵️‍♂️ BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@magnetdesignandadver]

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT

[@CommonSenseRevolution]

Very good watch. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Bravo!

[@laffin_out_loud]

She looks like a vampire from twilight.

[@torpidjourneymaker3692]

to be fair for the police, that artist was playing with lit dynamite doing what he did

[@sloghable]

Thx for the inspiration!

[@yukichowdhury4]

Artists are not hard to understand. People just don't think deep.

[@fameouskash6928]

They all had traits of the joker

[@214carlisle]

interesting prespective

[@neilgoc-ong8516]

The line "when do I get paid"?

[@mlbonfox8199]

Awesome

[@harliethomas1378]

Good one!

[@vble2337]

Tony pedesta would hire an artist right after he would murder the children in his paintings. This artist would paint the gruesome scene just to capture that moment. Just look at his sick paintings and Statues he has all over his house. This movie kind of gives off that vibe.

[@PyroFalcon]

Good job!

[@milolll]

Student film, student painting.

[@MisterG2323]

This was quite interesting, although it hinges on the (very) unlikely supposition that no one, including a veteran police detective, would recognize that the three apparent corpses were, in fact, living, breathing people. Personally, I don't buy it. Other than that, very well done! Kudos!

[@7yep4336dfgvvh]

In the semi darkness of the room?

[@sqd8r]

Thoughts become actions... wait for part 2...

[@jacobzaranyika9334]

Art can be open to interpretation. But not Science.

[@tommytrinder.1226]

This premise is so good it should have been made into a full length feature.

[@paulg903]

He was shot in the chest, why was his arm in a sling?

[@Misticaldaylight]

No, k think he was shot in the arm, you can see the blood coming from there when he’s on the floor

[@MorrisDugan]

Frederick looks like a cross between Jeff Goldblum and Johnny Depp.

[@tonysardjono2905]

Brilliant

[@panagiotaapostolou3955]

Totally amazing!!!

[@newtronix]

Who does he think he is. Walter Sickert or Otto Dix?

[@fulminisrecovery1264]

Can anyone explain this??

[@acidbran]

Who was the first girl ?

[@janellpierce5918]

Why so serious?

[@malingehring165]

This is not "interesting", it is something you would expect from a high school art/ film student. The bar is getting really low here.

[@fdrose]

Psychopaths win! Same as it always was.

[@jazlasater2844]

Acting was a bit poor, concept a bit cliche, and massive plotline holes. How did the detective not have a search warrant and just show up? What part of the the man’s previous work would at all suggest he out out many painters in New York was the one to be investigated? Did the detective just ‘watch the news’ and see there was a murder but never have any info on the crime scene? And so ah. Who just happened to get shived with the paint brush? It shows the ‘victim’ moving implying she is still alive in the early scene with him and yet there is an investigation with no body? Truly nonsensical.

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

Feels like Marvel Excellent work, cast and crew

[@The_Beast_666]

Who is the actress in the thumbnail? Can anyone tell me her name please?

[@beatrixhiperkarma7722]

In the credits maybe?

[@Ami_Mehta]

Take a screenshot and then Google that image

[@dancingtrout6719]

house of wax

[@aryanto0003]

wow...

[@lotfibouhedjeur]

Meh.

[@ZaphMann]

A second twist would work - because this really is crappy art and poser stuff

[@vicgneeshtagians5808]

to whoever thought the painter is a killer at first, congratulation you're prejudice person. that,s what the writer intented i guess. what you see is what you see. brilliant film

[@elephantecrib4899]

Just Sick in the head people both the models and artist.... 👌🏿🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@maria369]

This was an abomination just like modern Art is 👎🏻

[@resolecca]

wrong on both ponts

[@maria369]

@@resolecca And which "sand people" so you belong to? I'm guessing the small hats ones.

[@JarodM]

👎

[@b.7944]

it makes no sense

[@beatrixhiperkarma7722]

Not a good film

[@broslyons8045]

huh- that was good-

[@balhallak]

There is nothing more dangerous than someone who wants to make the world a better place.

[@curtischildress9580]

Every good thing, especially related to technology and the industrial revolution, comes from creative minded people who essentially want to make the world a better place. Our internet and computers and modern phones are here for us because some people wanted to make the world a better place. Advancements in humanity happen due to intelligent minds with extreme egos. The danger in these advancements come from the misuse of these creations that are carried out by idiots who also have extreme egos. The "light and dark side" of humanity will always happen.

[@The_Beast_666]

@@curtischildress9580 You sir are my new God! What a absofuckinglutely brilliant reply!

[@curtischildress9580]

@@The_Beast_666 Thank you. I'm honored. Your intelligence exceeds most people's.

[@akimanacedrick9954]

Curtis childress you such a 🎊 genuis

[@ermo5623]

Really? I agree with the statement, but it’s hardly a new idea. It seems like something that’s been pretty well revealed & documented over time. 🤔

[@allisonjames2923]

Amazing apartment/studio! And whoever did the paintings for this is very good. I even actually liked the abstract orange piece - had way more depth than most pieces like that that masquerade as art. Better than “White on White” “Blue Monochrome” & other pretentious colour abstracts.

[@nataliewilliams9741]

Mondrian was good for the fashion world, but was it Art?

[@alabasterlight]

The artist is Joseph Adolphe from Canada, check him out. You can see his style in the movie paintings.

[@DonFahquidmi]

You left out "Dot on a Canvas". Also I met an artist who did monochromes and wrote eloquent pieces explaining them. I told him to give up painting and start writing.

[@christinekaye6393]

The orange painting spoke to me of cities in future global warming.

[@ladyredl3210]

As a writer myself, this makes perfect sense to me. Loved the ending, great twist, and the message. Which may not of course, be the same for all.

[@a.a.a.8365]

When art 🎨 brings the true criminal out. 😯

[@faizannekaha]

damn man ...writer and directors are genius....

[@ninjahvoand797]

Being an artist myself I fully understand this masterpiece. A mix of a psychological, and the crescendo of the thriller, quite Brilliant.

[@The_Beast_666]

Where the hell can we see some of your work mam?

[@ninjahvoand797]

@@The_Beast_666 I'm a Male first off. Secondly... one day..

[@mareir]

@@The_Beast_666 😄

[@nataliewilliams9741]

I can definitely see this idea fleshed out to become a full-length feature film. 📽️ Marvelous!

[@IKEMENOsakaman]

Artists can be really crazy and sadistic. The woman I once dated was a sculptor, and he was also like this.

[@imsljr420]

The woman you dated was a he?

[@sovietunionball1290]

@@imsljr420 I think he meant "she" the "he" must have been a typo

[@cheriekarley2479]

@@sovietunionball1290 perhaps not

[@umerrashed8385]

"He" was a woman? I can see you yourself are an artist.

[@sovietunionball1290]

@@cheriekarley2479 *HOL UP* 😳👀

[@mariobatista9028]

Great short, mindf*cking ride! More!!!!

[@myronplatte8354]

Hilarious. The guy's idea of art was to frame himself as a serial killer for one minute.

[@seenofruit]

Well done!

[@flightographist]

Guernica 1939. These things matter.

[@artypamungkas2315]

Wow