Dig Your Own Grave | Dark Comedy Short Film

Reggie brings Dan to the desert to have him dig his own grave. It's harder than it sounds.
A selection of Short of the Week, the web's leading curators of quality short films.
SUBMIT A FILM: www.shortoftheweek.com/submit/
FULL REVIEW: www.shortoftheweek.com/2020/0...
Subscribe to S/W on KZbin!
Website: www.shortoftheweek.com
Instagram: / shortoftheweek
Facebook: / shortoftheweek
Twitter: / shortoftheweek
'I've often heard movies described as “life…minus the boring parts.” It’s a somewhat succinct summation of cinema, but, ultimately, it makes sense. Movies trim the fat-the mundanity of every day life-and only focus on the important bits, which is why in mainstream movies, typically, menial tasks aren’t shown in their entirety.
Subverting that trope is the basis of Kirk Larsen’s clever comedic two hander-Dig Your Own Grave. A lot of folks die in movies, and, usually, lots of bodies need to be disposed of in the desert (or other remote places). The thing is: digging a grave is hard…really f-cking hard. Larsen’s central pitch is what if some bad boy mafioso’s one liner actually had to be carried out to its logical conclusion. By taking things literally, things go to bigger, dumber, and more hilarious places.
It’s a funny concept to be sure. And, while Dig Your Own Grave borders on sketch, Larsen’s film manages to keep the momentum going past the reveal of the initial joke-a joke that, admittedly, makes me giggle every time I think of it. It’s anchored by two strong, well-timed performances (Amos Vernon and Henry Zebrowski have great awkward chemistry), Moreover, as silly as the idea is, it’s grounded by a sense of reality that keeps things from being too broadly unbelievable. It’s a fine line that all comedy shorts have to walk and Larsen and co-writer Vernon tip-toe it gracefully. Endings are hard (especially in comedies and horror shorts) and this doesn’t quite nail it, but the ride is entertaining enough to make it well worth the time that must be invested to watch. It’s somewhat facil analysis, I realize, but landing jokes is actually quite difficult and there are far more hits than misses here.
In discussing his inspiration, Larsen tells Short of the Week: “I wanted to honor my love for Scorsese, DePalma, and Hitchcock, while simultaneously loving the harmonic stupidity of putting two hilarious people together, like Step Brothers - or the funniest of Tarantino and Fincher’s work.”
I think that’s a succinct way of elucidating why Dig Your Own Grave is successful: in order to play dumb, underneath it all, you actually have to be really smart.
Larsen shot in the desert outside Los Angeles for a tumultuous two days with a hardworking cast and crew, led by DP Alex Chinnici. In post, he received finishing funds from the Hexagon Initiative (which features lots of S/W alum as members) to bring the film over the finish line.
As a writer/director, Larsen adroitly balances both technical craft and a sense of humor, the latter of which is noticeably absent in many “very serious” writer/directors making their way up in the industry. It’s this combination that makes him someone to watch. He’s currently working on a feature adaptation of Dig Your Own Grave, as well as other feature, television, and interactive projects.' - S/W Curator Ivan Kander
Reggie: Henry Zebrowski
Dan: Amos Vernon
DP: Alex Chinnici
Gaffer: Cole Pisano
Grip: John Morgan
Composer: Chris Ryan
Colorist: Alastor Arnold @ Fotokem
Stunt Coordinator: Natalie Jean
Sound Designer: Jay Pelizzi
Co-EP: Evan Wolf Buxbaum
Consulting Production: Dylan Smith
Reproduced on this channel with the permission of the filmmakers.

[@rexasaurus3853]

Realism at it's finest.

[@NickC-Ohio]

its* No apostrophe, not "it is" Hope my pedantry is appreciated

[@VeroxCR7]

@@NickC-Ohio I guess

[@morphineproductionss]

Check out my newest dark comedy/horror short film that’s up on my channel! I think you’d enjoy it!

[@yinggrace452]

4:10 when he awkwardly said, 'Bye bye'.. to his boss 💀😆 That was so me with some awkward calls 😁😭😭

[@bushdog]

fantastic on all levels. the writing, the acting, the hilarity of the situation. loved it!

[@tiffanyo8792]

Spoilers!! The bit about the rocky ground and the shovel being the wrong type had me ROLLING!!

[@terreze225]

Same!

[@MrSqurk]

What made me laugh so hard was the fact when I seen the first thing I thought was “that’s the wrong type of shovel”.

[@joshuaizly5502]

Did you just put a spoiler warning for something that happens in the first ten seconds of the movie lmao?

[@destonlee2838]

I want to see the feature length film. What does the counselor do next? Is the loan shark still after him? Does he go around almost getting whacked by half a dozen cronies, only to talk therapy his way out of death, convincing the mob he's a badass due to the trail of blood.... and then confronting the loan shark who ultimately forgives him, because this guy helps him have a better relationship with his kids? However. Damn fine writing, solid tech work. I'd pay to see a feature length

[@andrewhancock2451]

This speculation is as entertaining as the movie>

[@destonlee2838]

@@andrewhancock2451 it'd be a rich feat of writing. thick and rich.

[@720vii]

It really does suck when you have to dig your own gave.

[@shortoftheweek]

😳😳😳.... whoops.

[@kenlieck7756]

@@shortoftheweek Yeah, and its all rock. Should've at least picked a site with loose gavel...

[@rubencohen2936]

I choose cremation

[@superduperjoi6800]

Relatable

[@tillerman7272]

tell. me. about it.

[@Prof.Tarfeather]

I was going to say he has the wrong shovel for digging! That's a shovel for shoveling cow and horse manuer. A pickaxe would make a great start. It's hilarious! Great acting.

[@flyingo]

Very well acted. Much better than lots of shorts I’ve seen here on YT. Nicely done.

[@doreendaykin6693]

Brilliant from start to finish! Gratitude!

[@alexandersimpson3638]

When a shovel is confused with a spade for digging.. lol 😂

[@Ann71987]

"there's different shovels" lmmfao that was great.... Plus the conversions... I laughed so hard at this ommfg it really was great.... And go figure if he didn't care lols

[@TheHazelip]

"I know how to dig." Proceeds to hold shovel wrong.

[@RRodriguez1904]

Midpoint spoiler alert: longest two man piss on film record 😁😅😂

[@christelletremaine8900]

"said the gambling addict to the hitman" gold! lmao!

[@theresamonahan6578]

Very good short film. Like how it came full cycle with him ending up digging a grave.

[@storylane.official]

Really liked the twist and turns

[@Wawagirl17]

Oohh, I've loved this one to death since I first saw it posted on the website! Hilarious stuff!

[@cruxofthecookie]

Bruce Campbell Jr. did a great job!

[@catswholove8524]

HOLY SH1T!!! This was the BEST short film I have eVER watched. Keep it up 1000000000/10

[@christelletremaine8900]

"bye bye!?" lololol

[@Ryu-to7kc]

Very nice👍 Thank you for sharing!

[@canvasfaces]

this was PERFECTLY done

[@egrace3738]

Love this!!

[@ricrandmfx]

Very good short. Serious & funny at the same time!

[@owlthepirate5997]

Well, at least he was nice enough to bury him, lol.. 😄✨

[@terreze225]

This is good. The humor is spot on.

[@tuneerbhattacharya6056]

Wow, brilliant ❤❤❤

[@AlexSoutheyMusic]

Wow this was great acting/writing.

[@Jayleenyc]

Yessss, gary!!!!!! I love it

[@Gozyization]

This was really good.

[@Mixu.]

Oh this is only 6 days old? For some reason I thought it was a couple years at least. Anyway, well done!

[@maddy8390]

Rocky ground and stuff? Real shit guys ..👏👏👏👏

[@greenwitchinc.1682]

Lol! That was great! Very clever writing!

[@YummiKoKo69]

The way he kept accidentally smacking him with the shovel. 😹

[@pauljd2664]

Young Bruce Campbell and American Tom Hardy....digging graves and stuff.

[@brianbauer7560]

I just realized that's the dude from "Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell". 😃 I love that show

[@pakde8002]

Quentin would love this.

[@L3onidas]

Jaws reference? 4:08 lol

[@juldionson2777]

This is so lit. Hahaha. This is the correct way to make comedy!

[@RichardDuryea]

Very well done.

[@acciousername6776]

They must have had humongous bladders

[@artbybryan9182]

Made my day

[@Horrodity]

This was dope!!

[@raerubio8925]

What’s worse having to dig ur own grave or dig with the wrong kind of shovel sheesh lol 😂

[@funisteinstahlbad1]

one of the guys could be Ash in a cool Evil Dead remake...the one with the shovel...

[@juancarlosbodoque5072]

Jajjjaaja I don't speak english but a little that understand this was so funny 😂

[@LaceyAnn]

Alright that was really fun thanks for all the laughs!

[@scottyj6226]

SCOTT STERLING!

[@HALFBREEDMUGEN]

OG HENRY

[@tonyg4127]

collective soul

[@scottyj6226]

Isn't that Scott Sterling?

[@grzegorzswierk5906]

What a great movie :D

[@tiedupsmurf]

Brilliant

[@JailanSimon]

The thumbnail says gave!

[@shortoftheweek]

We know, we fixed it. 😅

[@thebean9635]

Short of the Week all that work and a mistake on the title 😆 something I would do 😂😂 great work tho guys!!!!

[@iFlightz]

HENRY

[@cathimurphy-bee6759]

This was absolutely lovely. Thank you for the laughs!

[@tinaruvolo5338]

Superb 🥳 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 well done to all of you, the writers, camera, sound, directing, costume- I’ve never seen such a colourful Hit man, perfect 👌 Why did he have to die, I want to see more Reggie stories, that character is hilarious 🤣

[@zeeschelp]

punchline at the end: dig your own grave

[@amirmagar2009]

Pewds did a great job as an actor here.. wow! Matt was amazing too.

[@LRBeforeTheInternet]

Neither of these actors are named "pewds" or "matt" in this short or in real life. What the fuck are you talking about, Amir?

[@amirmagar2009]

ƁᴇғᴏʀᴇƮʜᴇļɴᴛᴇʀɴᴇᴛ I can understand that since you exist before the internet. You should check their other classic films like BeastMaster64 and Scott Sterling sagas.

[@kenlieck7756]

@@LRBeforeTheInternet I think he meant Gary.

[@MrEvilManDan1]

@@kenlieck7756 This is how Gary ended up in hell

[@owlthepirate5997]

Lmao, I'm rolling! This whole comment section is too funny! Is this the kind of stuff people watch when they're high? 😂

[@tanrose8645]

Well done, guys❣️👏👏👏🌹 Stay 'safe', everyone❣️ Blessed be~🌜 🐺🌕

[@corneliang7371]

I thought that's Jim Carrey

[@hugglescake]

I thought it was the first "Bewitched" Darren.

[@xellffs6258]

Awe. He dug the grave😭💔 Lmao. This was oddly adorable.

[@danieladdis362]

bravooo for the director and the dp👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@germ6584]

1:35 where it really begins 😂

[@deebreed1570]

Desert integrity 💰

[@elberethfw]

Amazing

[@jacklowther4912]

This is fucking excellent!

[@ManasiJindal]

Well acted👍

[@wendysaumell8911]

That was pretty good

[@MrDiscocow]

That has to be influenced by Taste of Cherry.

[@daganamaral4676]

Respect

[@detail1337]

I never got the own digging your own grave thing. What if I don't? What are you going to do, shoot me?

[@macklinmurdock9265]

No, they torture you.

[@santiago_ochoa]

did he ever get caught?

[@moethedog6816]

Is it sad this made me cry?

[@liamgray6017]

Frkn gr8 😂

[@superduperjoi6800]

HILARIOUS

[@tillerman7272]

thats Alden from the wolf of wall street lol. one of these actors has worked with scorsese.

[@azylum1979]

No, that's Stu from A to Z.

[@nicktezzzz]

Hong Kong Henry Zabrowski from Last Podcast on the Left

[@faithwheeler7226]

this made me realize how much i have to pee

[@estriyandaniniluhnym4589]

Bye bye 🤣🤣🤣..

[@3IQ_D3mon]

For some reason I saw that coming

[@GhoulReaperJohnWasHxre]

who else looked up "How to dig your own grave"

[@RadianFilms64]

The shot at 3:55... NO! It's like looking at cartoons :)) I guess they wanted to have a larger depth of field, but ...

[@GraceMotley]

Holy shit

[@ProfBassman]

Is that Stu from A-Z?

[@michaelgladney9657]

what was this shot on

[@shortoftheweek]

We don't have camera details, but here's a quote from the director on the shooting process: "Old lenses, split diopters, a lot of sand, and some really killer clouds helped lend our film an aesthetic similar to the movies Reggie may have been thinking about when he took Dan to the desert to have him dig his own grave."

[@misterandrefriggindoppelga7595]

Hello, Hola, Yizzo Everybody, I Thank God that I aint never have to Piss as long as They did, 🤣. •Statement by MAFDD, Later😁Days•

[@cindyburrell8426]

Sick but funny

[@jessica98256]

Don't save him,he was going to shoot you,take his car leave his rear there.For the vultures to eat.

[@joshuaizly5502]

Yeah the cops would be really grateful for that, might as well dig his own grave.

[@Sulucion6Tone]

But that was his best friend.. geez

[@BH-2023]

Had me until the ripoff of The Rundown, guy can't use his hands so the other guy has to undo his pants to take a piss schtick.

[@kurcules]

hi I'm the director and I've never seen the Rundown, but I just looked it up and holy moly I'm definitely going to watch it, looks fun!

[@peter_pansexual6243]

So that's why Gary is in Hell.

[@MarcusVinicius-we2pg]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@dongyanfeng3658]

Stop digging 😆

[@bangbang2876]

At 9:51 , Play at 0.25X and you will witness " Dig your own grave , in a different way....." Newton's third law where you shoot someone and the same is offered to u!

[@martineldritch]

Ha! Very cool

[@greatwitchallah7080]

Fix it.

[@user-sn4lq6xj1y]

😂😸

[@superduperjoi6800]

STOP COMMENTING SPOILERS. IF U DO DO THISS. . . . . .. . . TYPE HERE

[@luffy_among_us1428]

Lmao

[@MrRage299]

Hail Satan

[@snagglelsah2210]

I want to like this video but the number of likes is 420. I'm sorry I can't do it.

[@balty7692]

Any one else here from TikTok