four eyed monsters

Four Eyed Monsters is a 2005 film by Susan Buice and Arin Crumley. It roughly follows Buice and Crumley's real life relationship; the couple initially communicated only through artistic means because Arin was too shy to introduce himself to Susan. The film is a very low budget digital video production but has gained attention for its use of various web-related strategies in distribution and in its attempt to build an audience through the use of online resources, a growing trend among contemporary American indie filmmakers.

The film was shot on MiniDV using the Panasonic AG-DVX100 in Brooklyn and Manhattan, New York, Framingham, Massachusetts and Johnson, Vermont. It was edited on Apple's Final Cut Pro editing software. It debuted on the festival circuit in January 2005 at the Slamdance Film Festival where it was well received. The filmmakers hoped to obtain a conventional deal for theatrical distribution on the basis of its success at Slamdance, but nothing was forthcoming.

plot

A shy videographer (Arin) and an uninspired artist working as a waitress (Susan) meet on the Internet and spark a relationship. Fed up with the usual dating game, the two decide to not communicate verbally, only through artistic means to see if they can make it work.

video podcast

Out of their creation of the film, the Four Eyed Monsters podcast was born. It played on various places on the web, and episodes 9-13 debuted on IFC as a featured web series.

awards

Best New Directors - 2005 Brooklyn International Film Festival
Chameleon Award - 2005 Brooklyn International Film Festival
Student Jury Award - 2005 Newport International Film Festival
Special Audience Award - 2005 South by South West Film Festival
Special Mention - 2005 Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival
Nominated for Best Cinematography - 2007 Independent Spirit Awards
Nominated for John Cassavetes Award - 2007 Independent Spirit Awards
Winner of the Undiscovered Gems 2006 Showcase - Awarded 50K towards further theatrical release and 50K for a TV deal with Sundance Channel still under negotiation.