.:. justin lee peterson

Confessions

Confessions is a dark short narrative film that is told through the eyes and voice of a serial killer.

After the love of his life brutally breaks his heart, Anthony Vodola transforms himself into an alter ego named John Dean: a devious, manipulative predator capable of deadly sociopathic behavior.

At the time, this was a genre that I was interested in touching on. Serial killer movies are a dime a dozen so I was careful about how I would develop this story. I didn’t want to make another slasher film so I kept the violence mild. I wanted to dip into the mind of a modern killer and explore the question of why Americans are so infamous for these crimes.

Film schools tell you never to use voiceover. I guess I broke the rule - the majority of the dialogue in this film is the killer’s voice. But I wouldn’t say that I cheated in the sense that the voiceover was a lazy way of telling the story. In a creepy way I was aiming to use the narration to make you, the viewer, feel as if John Dean is speaking only to you – as if he wants to get a few things off his chest and you’re the one he chose to open up to. He even turns at the end and gives you a spooky look and a smile, knowing that you’re watching him and you’re the only one who knows what’s to happen next.

I was pleased with the final outcome of Confessions which is something I usually wouldn’t admit. I am very self-critical. Filmmaking is a demon that I could never shake loose – who knows, it could also be a blessing. The pursuit of filmmaking can be a very frustrating and stressful journey. In my opinion, one has to have an egotistical subconscious balanced with a thick layer of humility in order to be a good director. Together the two form a synergy that blends a good mixture of demand and understanding. An actor has to exercise various feelings and emotions from part to part. I feel that a director has to do the same from film to film.

I was very fortunate to find my lead actor, Patrick Long. He took direction very well and really nailed the part. We postponed production for nearly three months just so he could grow a real beard for some of the winter scenes. He was a real trouper and only nineteen years old. I wish him all the best.

Enjoy.

Filmed on Kodak film stock and digital video; edited with Final Cut Pro.

Click here to view two trailers for Confessions. Due to the submission process to festivals, I can't show the whole film just yet, but keep checking back for news.

Confessions

Demo Collage

Parallel Differences

Stormy Weather