Publicity
Necessity spurred suspense film
Scenes show Almaden area, include [missing]
By Michael Cronk (as printed in the San Jose Mercury News sometime in 1984)
More than a year ago, John Ottman says he got another one of those urges to make a "big" film.
Big - at this point in the young filmmaker's life - meant a movie that would take less than a year to shoot and cost less than $800.
Yet, despite the limitations of time and money, Ottman wanted to create a film that looked big, intrigued his audence and affected them in some way.
His choice was a 45-minute supernatural suspense thriller titled "Metamorphose."
The film, which Ottman wrote, directed, and produced, was screened recently for invited guests at San Jose State University.
It is about a disturbed and unhappy young woman whose feelings about herself and the people following her are transformed following a harrowing night in which she is pursued by a menacing and mysterious stranger.
"The idfea was really spurrent in my mind by necessity," explained Ottman, a 20-year-old student at De Anza College. "The film had to be done with no costumes, a small number of sets, and yet could still have a professional look through carefully planned camera composition, effective editing, and a refreshing cast."
Ottman shot the interiors for "Metamorphose" in his home and the exteriors on the streets and a park around his Almaden Valley neighborhood.
"It was originally conceived as a 15- to 20-minute film, "said Ottman, who began filming 15- and 20-minute movies in the sixth grade. "Ultimately I want to make big films. This way I can live out my fantasy now. Mainly, making films is something I've got to do."
Ottman used high-quality lenses to give the Super-8 film a sharp, 16mm appearance. He also shot most of the film "day for night" (filmed during daylight by made to look like the night). This gave Ottman the dark and ominous mood he wanted and set the audience up for a number of startling and frightening moments that followed. He also effectively mixed the music of famous Hollywood composers to the action on the screen.
"'Metamorphose' is not just a learning tool for me. It was meant to be, and I hope it is, something for others to enjoy and get something out of, "Ottman explained. "It is a story of innocence and happiness, as shown in the opening 'children-in-the-neighbothood' scene. But there is also terror, sadness, suspense, and even a touch of comedy."
For the leads, Ottman cast Bridget Barfield, a 22-year-old San Jose woman with whom he works, and Floyd King, a 65-year-old consulting engineer, professional hypnotist, and fellow film enthusiast. Ottman also used his mother, Mary, family friends and neighborhood youngsters in the cast.
Barfield was a drama student in high school but had never before acted in a film. After shooting was completed, she said she has no desire to pursue a film career.