The 2024 comedy short film Sweeps Week shows that a new broom does indeed sweep clean. At least it does for the main protagonist; Bert/Brock. Steve Blackwood produces, directs and writes this genuinely funny comedic offering. He also did the soundtrack with Christopher Bowden, this man is practially a cottage industry.
The story
After working on a soap opera for over a decade, Brock learns that his character Bert is to die during sweeps week. He is not pleased. *For those not in the know: Sweeps Week is the time when television shows attempt to increase their viewing figures.*
The main Cast
Steve Blackwood is Producer Steve Hyman.
Brian J. McDonald is Brock/Bert.
Halle Curley is Marla/Kellie.
All the actors deliver here. McDonald is brilliant as the dismayed actor that Hyman is derailing. Curley is great as the two-faced actress trying to go up the ladder. Blackwood kills it as the clueless producer.
It’s Sweeps Week
This short comedy works on so many levels. It is, to me anyway, laugh out loud funny. Blackwood works in a gag at the very start that may be a nod to that great prankster Alfred Hitchcock.
*In the 1939 film The 39 Steps, Hitchcock kept the two actors handcuffed, allegedly, overnight claiming he could not find the key.*
In Sweeps Week it starts with a clearly unpopular actor; Marla, being left tied up over lunch.
“Somebody? Anybody? Can someone untie me?”
Dialogue is key
The key to this working so well is the dialogue and the screenplay. Blackwood has based Sweeps Week on something that happened in his career. *Back in his Soap Opera days.*
The setup? A gormless and clueless show producer decides to kill off a character that has been in the show for over a decade. He is excited at his bold decision and cannot understand the actors anger and amazement.
A lot going on here
Blackwood makes this 10 minute short busy. He cross references events and has a hilarious introduction to the tale. If you pay attention, there are things in the “show” that mirror “real life.” Of course the underlying theme is just as funny as the overt things going on.
Hyman agonising over how long it took him to make a decision on how to remove the character is solid gold.
*Kudos to Blackwood for singing the closing credits song with enough pazzazz that I was scrambling to find out who this great singer was. *
Behind the camera
Jeffrey Buchbinder puts in some great mirror shots, impressively moving on the plot references.
Christopher Bowden, who also did soundtrack with Blackwood, edits Sweeps Week with a deft touch and makes those backstage shots work.
Karen Blackwood as the Production Designer is spot on.
The Verdict
Sweeps Week is comedy gold. The film is funny and topical. It easily earns a full 5 star ranking from us. It is entering its festival run and is sure to rake in a number of gongs. And don’t forget: “This time there’s no evil twin.” Catch this one when you can and prepare to laugh.
A lot.
The trailer
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