by John Wildman
AFI FEST Daily News

Still from THE RATSNITCH ANGEL, a short film requiring 3D glasses, directed by Michael Medaglia. Part of Shorts Program One, November 6 at 7:15 PM and November 7 at 2:00 PM, at AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi.

THE RATSNITCH ANGEL, a short film by Michael Medaglia, screens as part of Shorts Program One.

Viewing the film requires 3D glasses, handed out before each screening.

Shorts Program One screens Monday, November 6 at 7:15 PM and Tuesday, November 7 at 2:00 PM, part of AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi.

Michael Medaglia is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker who's directed music videos, commercials and narrative shorts. His work has screened internationally in festivals, art galleries and even public restrooms. He's currently writing a narrative feature based on his life. It's a romantic horror movie.

AFI FEST Daily News: How did the idea to make a short film requiring 3D glasses come about?

Michael Medaglia: I wanted to make a film that felt like someone was telling you a dirty secret - something you were never meant to hear.

I remembered those old puzzle-books with the answers hidden by red wavy lines: you know, where you hold the red window over the answer and suddenly you can see it?

So I tried to apply that principal to video, this way the film would be literally hidden unless you were wearing the glasses.

If the film becomes popular, is there any thought to marketing "ratsnitch angels," like Tickle Me Elmos?

Michael: Oh my god. I just saw that Laughing Elmo video. That toy is way creepier than my film.

How long did it take to make the film?

Michael: In the end, one day of shooting followed lots and lots of editing.

I did a proof-of-concept awhile back, when I was in group101films.com (an awesome filmmaker community). It was a rush-job and I always wanted to redo it, so I threw out everything except the script and redid almost all of it.

I used to have a rule: never re-shoot or re-edit once you say you're done with a film.

That's a really stupid rule. If it helps your film and you have the luxury, don't be afraid to redo something. Then, when you're done just don't tell anyone.

I think that will be my new rule. If anyone asks I'll say I did it perfectly from the beginning.

Seriously though, who hurt you?

Michael: If anyone did, I must have blocked it out. Oh, in junior high, I used to get regularly beat up on by the Special Ed kids. Does that count?