The title of writer/director Ben Leonberg and producer Kari Fischer’s first feature film could not be more apt—Indy the Dog is a very good boy, maybe even one of the best boys. He also is a star in the making as the lead character of the horror film Good Boy, which just premiered at this year’s SXSW. In the story, Indy’s owner moves them out of the city to a lonely family home in the country. Indy starts seeing things. Shadows in corners, the specters of family members past, and a strange form around his owner, who seems to be acting strange lately.I’m not exaggerating when I say this is an exceptional and moving animal performance, and if you’re a dog parent who loves their furry companion as much as I love mine, you might be reduced to a blubbering mess by the film’s end. Leonberg sure got me with this one. The making of the movie was a family affair. Leonberg and Fischer, married, own Indy and took three years crafting the film, living in the house where they shot. It took so long because of the usual restrictions with animal actors, and because they wanted to capture authentic moments of Indy, including his naps and the moments he woke up. They have a cut, they said, with an audio track that’s only Indy voice direction. The rest of the film's dialogue had to be ADR'd.This is exactly the kind of movie indie filmmakers should admire—scrappy, dedicated, and well-crafted....
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Tuesday, 11 March