After my first (and second) viewing of “Skinamarink,” I had to find the original.
Filmmaker Kyle Edward Ball released “Heck” to his YouTube channel in 2020. His first film clocks in at 30 minutes and is the clear framework for “Skinamarink.”
The film is even more bare bones but incredibly similar. A boy (Jeffty Ellison) is alone in his house. As he searches for his mom (Courtney McNeilly) creepy things are afoot.
Analog Style
As with “Skinamarink,” “Heck” is shot in an analog style that seamlessly crafts its atmosphere. There are shadows, poor lighting, and grainy visuals that leave your eyes searching for something friendly.
And yes, creepy cartoons are back. Kyle Edward Ball manages to find real classic era cartoons that somehow add to the chilling visuals of the film.
There’s not much to review. It’s a raw short that can be appreciated as a genesis for the feature film. If you like “Skinamarink,” its worth watching “Heck.”
Think of it as demo tapes for your favorite band.
