Better Than You - AWARD WINNING Shapeshifter Horror Short Film (2020)

Better Than You is a short horror film about a shapeshifter and a home invasion. Figured I should get another horror movie out for Halloween! The film also won Best Super Short Horror at the Berlin Flash Film Festival and Best Horror Under 20 Minutes at the UK Monthly Film Festival. Always nice to be able to put 'Award Winning' in the title!
Written and Directed by:
Matthew D Gilpin (That's Me!)
Shot and Edited by:
Mitch Corrigan
Starring:
Deri Evans
Eleanor Scholz
and Ella Cumber
Sound Recorded by:
Alfie Martin
Music by:
Joe Trickey
You can support my filmmaking on Patreon: / matthewdgilpin
Or buy me a Coffee: www.ko-fi.com/...
Other short films available here: • Better Than You - AWAR...
Better Than You was originally written about the insecurity and anxiety that comes with feeling replaceable. What better metaphor than a shapeshifter! At time of writing, this was in relation to the work I was doing, but at time of filming, I was dealing with feeling replaceable in other areas of my life. Some minor changes to the script were made to channel that.
This film is also an example of me working with various people that I've worked with before. Mitch Corrigan also shot and edited For Milo, Eleanor appeared in Delete Me, a horror film I made last year, and Deri Evans starred in The Sweetest Death, shot in 2018.
The voice of Ella Cumber can also be heard over the phone. She starred in Bounce Back, which was released earlier in the year.
The 'Scary Face' Visual Effects shot at the end of the film was completed in less than a day, only two days before the film was due to be released. It was a bit of a mad dash to get done.
Shot with the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera 4k, with camera moves on a DJI Ronin-S
#horror #shortfilm #film

[@ponysmasher]

Well done, I enjoyed that!

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thank you so much! Your films were a big inspiration for making this one! (A side note: DoP/Editor of this film is now insisting that we put ' I enjoyed that - David F Sandberg ' on any and all promotional material 😂 )

[@bobbinsleak]

the use of normal household noises to indicate the shapeshifter was there pushed this into the right side of eerie!

[@shantcheetah]

Very true, the whole environment made it spooky

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thank you both! Really appreciate it. Glad it managed to get the eerie atmosphere across well!

[@LarnedJustin]

Although it's light outside, you managed to make the house dark and scary. Excellent job, very well done. Enjoyed it!

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thank you! I'm glad it worked. Yeah, we were wondering if we should have shot this at night. I think we did an ok job of getting a creepy atmosphere in spite of the daytime!

[@buffylow68]

This was very interesting I actually like these short but I guess sweet stories! Good job!🎭

[@albagracie4634]

Aiiiiiaaaaiiiaayaaaa feeling a bit creeped out now :/ Well done Matthew and team, you guys have done such a great job!!

[@matthewgilpincom]

Well, that was the aim! 😂 Glad you enjoyed it!

[@shantcheetah]

This filmed very well 👍 good work

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thank you so much! The DoP for this is really incredible.

[@shantcheetah]

@@matthewgilpincom yes the DoP did a great job & i enjoyed the story as well

[@shantcheetah]

@@matthewgilpincom btw i make poetry & comedy films on my channel so feel free to check it out if you want :)

[@GOOSHLEMS]

Everything from the directing, acting, sound design, cinematography, editing was nothing short of incredible. This was excellent, great work!!

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thanks so so much! I'm really glad it resonated with you!

[@ShinoSarna]

I kinda wish it went a bit more into the idea that shapeshifter was a better boyfriend. But still, top tier.

[@matthewgilpincom]

Glad you liked it! Yeah, I would probably have delved into that a bit more if I'd been making a longer piece. Had to keep it moving at a decent clip, though!

[@ShinoSarna]

@@matthewgilpincom You did well then, because pacing is excellent.

[@oscarli3182]

Very nice! the sound design was great, it really added to the eerie atmosphere. Keep it up mate

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thanks man! Sound design was fun. Lots of sloshing around wet pasta to make the creatures transforming sound effect!

[@FabzP96]

Yoooo, this was bloody good! Brilliantly filmed, perfectly paced and well acted. :) Subscribed!

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thanks a lot! Glad you liked it! I should have some more shorts out in the next few months!

[@FabzP96]

Sounds good mate! Btw, if you need actors for your future shorts. Follow my insta - fabz_pearson My twin brother and I are ready to do anything! Have a lovely day now :)

[@danielverfaillie9846]

Brilliant work

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thank you!

[@jamiedoesthings]

I've been excited to sit down and watch this for so long, loved it just as much as I thought I would!! You did an amazing job

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thank you so much!! Great cast and crew, as always, so I don't feel like I can take too much credit!

[@PawFlix0101]

Great concept and well executed!

[@matthewgilpincom]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for the kind comment!

[@bilibenat9428]

Well done, such a different type of movie. Enjoyed this, Thanks for posting.

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thanks! I'm glad you like it! I've been wanting to do another horror for such a long time, and figured that Halloween was the perfect time to do it!

[@theamazingnel]

That was awesome! Keep it up man

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thanks! Should have another (admittedly not horror) short out in the next month or two!

[@dosgatosfilmworks7708]

nice job! great vibe and love those quick cut shots!

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thanks! I'm really pleased with how the tone came across!

[@DavidCervantes-lc5yc]

Excellent show , very pleased

[@JuanTheBone]

that phone looks like a beard trimmer, also nice usage of color temperatures to differentiate the characters

[@matthewgilpincom]

I never actually thought about that before! I does look a little like a beard trimmer, doesn't it! Also, the Colour Temperature thing was actually completely unplanned. We love a good bit of serendipity, though!

[@roccgg]

Well done 👏

[@mattmedrano7411]

Congrats! Great job. Enjoyed it

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thank you! Glad to hear it! It was so much fun to make!

[@henryishuman]

yummie; this was VERY good

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thank you! Nice and flavourful horror movie. Extra spicy.

[@luismonterrubiocineasta]

Está bueno el shortfilm!! Felicidades!!

[@matthewgilpincom]

Muchas gracias!

[@ButterflyLullabyLtd]

Fascinating film. Reminds me a bit of George Orwell. The acting was excellent as well.

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thanks so much! Glad you liked it. Yeah, I loved working with these actors. Actually got something else in the works with one of them at the moment!

[@jletttt]

That was great!

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thanks! Really glad you liked it!

[@eLouaiVideos]

Very cool indeed, saw the link in frugal filmmaker. Nicely done.

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thanks man! Really appreciate it!

[@joolzzenda]

oooo very spooky :D

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thank youuuuu!

[@DavidRazaviMusic]

I'm glad this popped up on my recommended list! Great story and acting, and I loved the creepy atmosphere you created. Can't wait to see what you're working on next!

[@matthewgilpincom]

Thanks so much! I've actually got a strange little Medieval Arthurian style thing that I'm working on at the moment. Should be done in the next month or so! Stick around and see if you enjoy it!

[@عبووودالرحبي]

اللهم احفظ اهل فلسطين أهلها واحرسهم بعينك التي لا تنام

[@belgtv]

I've made a short film as well! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3qremOGe719nqs

[@sylverspring6314]

no no no not the nice jewish boy!!!