We couldn't arrange for Ben to SKYPE in, but it was nice of him to post his film so all those who didn't make to the very first FIRST THURSDAYS FILM FESTIVAL could see it...
Then we changed the pace and mood a complete 180 degrees with a psychological thriller, one that is pure psychological TERROR on film...and there's a reason it won all those awards you see on the poster below, click HERE to learn more about this short film & Rovolutionfilm..
Stefanie
von Poser plays the eager, wholesome, job applicant perfectly, and
realistically. Sinikka Schubert is like a female Jack Nickolson in The Shining. Eeeeee!
Amanda said she was never more frightened by any movie she had ever seen that didn’t have any zombies, aliens, or monsters in it. This was pure terror simply using the mind and imagination. Excellent story! Fabulously made....!
The last time I was at the edge of my seat totally scared for a full 10 minutes was watching an Alfred Hitchcock movie when I was 9 years old. Over 50 years later, Frau Director Julia Walter has done it again, and keeps us guessing until the very, very end. Along the way you think you understand where this film headed, then it gets a little strange and you see this job interview is not what it seems at all. Then it gets creepy, really creepy...
Advice you'd give to those who wish to do films?
Get the word no out of your vocabulary. Lots of people will tell you can’t do something. Just ignore it and move forward.
What have you done to get this and your films ‘out there’? How do you feel distribution is changing?
Distribution is a tough thing to handle and is really the last nut to crack as it were. Lots of deals are out there. Lots of deals that will pay filmmakers nothing. For me, if I don’t get a cash up front deal, then I would rather self distribute and use the big following we have to help get the film out there. We’ve done it so far and it works.
Where do you see the future of films heading? As an industry? As content?
People are saying its dying. That all the good stuff is on TV. I think there will be a change, but nothing that will doom movies. It’ll ebb, flow and adapt. We might see a point where super big budgets are not being done as much as they prove dangerous for studios. Maybe a pivot to smaller films at that point. it’s the wild wild west out there for sure.
It was not only an honor to have James drive all the way down from Austin to Bastop just to visit with us, but the fact that he had a 5:00 am flight to L.A. the next morning for yet another film festival one of his movies is being recognized for, really had the entire audience appreciate his willingness to take time out of his busy (and we do mean busy) schedule to stop by and share his insights
For besides making films, James Christopher is also the man behind Twitchy Dolphin Flix AND the Austin Revolution Film Festival...
See...? We told you...the hardest working film maker in all Texas....right here in Bastrop.
The clues are everywhere in this 17 minute short over a mother dealing with a tragic loss of her own doing – but both Amanda & I bet you won’t get half of them. We didn’t the first time, nor the second...or third…
Not only are ‘the clues’ important to the story, but deep down your subconscious (which since cavemen times has been psychologically wired to solve puzzles to begin with) already knows the clues are important, and that this film is important.
You’ll see clues, sure. Subconsciously you’ll know they are there. But your conscious mind probably won't know they’re clues, you may just go: “Wow, that’s weird”.
But something deep, deep inside of you will scream out you need to remember what you just saw, because every little detail is important. And it will be important, for the story, and your mind.
Besides the trailer, we're going to also let you get a sneak peek at how the film was made.
Why? Because this is one of the most innovative films special effects-wise for an independent film, and in some respects has some ground-breaking, and even more amazing is done on the cheap...that's right the Bontrager Twins are absolute geniuses when it comes to making the most - visually - with the least.
And are ground breaking in the process...
We think the Bontrager Twins had just as much fun as the audience, especially when they get compliments from some members of the audience who compared their work to Rod Serling (Twilight Zone). SKYPING in from Atlanta Georgia, Bastropians were able to see what it was like to juggle a film career and family, as well as get some valuable insights into the incentives and culture that brought the Atlanta area into one of the biggest film and TV production areas in the nation.
We are also looking forward to speaking with them next month, when they SKYPE in with more perspectives and yet another of their award winning films. Wheels go Round was certainly one of the audience favorites here, with everyone deeply affected by the twists, turns, and outcome of the story....
...as for some, that outcome is still unresolved.
Ask ANYONE who was at Viejo's on our inaugural night, and they will tell you this is a film you will want to watch several times, and something you will want all your friends and family to see, and something you will want to pass down to your children, and their children.
Writer/Director Benjamin Cleary's first attempt at directing can certainly be labeled an unqualified success, for one, you will see countless awards listed on their website:
Not shown on the site - yet - is that is was up for an Academy Award in 2016...
...and won.
Get the film and see why...one of the best films - feature or short - we've ever seen...in any category.
And it wouldn't surprise me one bit if we get a LOT of requests at the next festival for people who want to see this AGAIN
We couldn't arrange for this Ben to SKYPE in either (well, that happens when you win an Oscar, you get real busy with everyone wanting a piece of you) so we try again on a future FIRST THURSDAY when we can all get together, show his film again and let him tell us all about it.
It’s 2067. A service truck stops in front of a neglected old house. A government technician gets out and walks to the back where he severs a “Life-Link Cable.”
His name is Cal Jenner and he’s here to terminate Mr. Cooper, a digitized person whose been malfunctioning for years…
...we don’t think we need to add anything more to describe this film, for if you are any type of science fiction fan, you probably already want to see this just on what was mentioned already.
But wait. There's more...
One of the best trailers ever made.
Really.
You get the perfect amount of information to let you know what's the movie about - the premise - but without giving the story away.
CLICK on the poster on the right to see the trailer...we guarantee you'll love it as well as agree with everything we've just mentioned...
...besides wanting to watch the film.
SKYPE Session - Laddie Ervin
Cool, huh? We think it is so cool that Laddie could easily work at Industrial Light & Magic (San Francisco), Weta Digital (New Zealand), Digital Domain (Los Angeles), or any one of the other Top Ten special effects studio, but instead wants to do things on his own...his way. We like that Frank Sinatra philosophy too, Laddie.
Next up...
CLICK on poster above to see the trailer...
All those at Viejo's then received another treat - a preview of the feature film Hamlet's Ghost - which we will be showing at next month's event (October 6th), which stars Glen Mac (Law & Order, Inforgettable), Creagen Dow (Big Bang Theory, CSI: NY, Numb3rs, Zoey 101), Stephanie Zimbalist (Remington Stelle, Judging Amy, Nash Bridges), Ida Anderson (Greg's Anatomy, Hawaii, Lovesick), John Loprieno (As the World Turns, One Life to Live, Search for Tomorrow), & Barbara Niven (Chesapeake Shores, Cedar Cove, Eli Stone)....to name a few.
Central Texans, mark THAT date on your calendars right now...!
SKYPE Session - Walker Haynes
No one in Bastrop knew the man who was involved in and helped shape so many of the movies and TV shows they all knew and loved. They soon learned that Writer / Actor / Director / Stuntman Haynes is no new-comer to the film industry...
... a few of his credits being the TV movie Samuel Adams (2014), Revenge (2013), Gunfight at La Mesa (2010), and a reoccurring character on the TV series Whodunnit (2013) and CSI: NY (2006-2012) where he is also the stunt double for Gary Sinise.
Walker also said he could probably come to our premier showing of his feature film Hamlet's Ghost in October if we can make the arrangements most film festivals do for film makers who have their films featured....like get him over here, share some of our wonderful BBQ and find a place for him to crash for an evening, can we do that, Bastrop?
Walker also gave the film makers in the audience some great advice:
"I have found that people respect someone who shows up and works hard. If you earn the respect of people in the industry, then their help is a natural consequence. You cannot make a film without help. Don’t be afraid to ask. Understand that making a film is a long and arduous journey, with many pitfalls along the way, so remove yourself from negativity. I was surprised at how often I had to block out the comments and energy of people who seemed compelled to be critical of the work I was doing. Many people talk about making a movie, but few actually do it.... ......so do it!"
Steve Jacques, Walker Haynes & crew joke around during a break in the action on the set of the soon to be released thriller Flight 192
To close the evening, Walker shared with us his thoughts on how film is at a crossroad between quantity and quality.
"Studios are gambling on big-budget sequels and, with exceptions, poorly scripted blockbusters; box office numbers reflect this reality. There will always be a place for these films, but the pendulum may be shifting from “franchise-based content” as an article in the Hollywood Reporter calls it (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hollywoods-new-problem-sequels-moviegoers-899765). Additionally, studios are gambling with casting social media celebrities who lack professional training or experience, but bring millions of followers as a built-in audience. (http://www.thewrap.com/emma-thompson-michael-caine-social-media-actors/)."
To cap off the evening, everyone was able see the preview and get some behind the scenes stories on Walker's soon to be released next acting role - as the pilot - in Nadeem Soumah's Flight 192..
CLICK on the movie poster below to see the trailer:
Vftla.org/veteran/frances-cheever
We want to thank everyone who came out to Viejo's on the FIRST THURSDAY in September 2016 to help us get this new kind of film festival started. The audience was FABULOUS and even via SKYPE gave the film makers a BIG TEXAS WELCOME that we are certain was felt even over the internet. Everyone had a blast experiencing new and innovative films - some seen for the first time - and we are looking forward to doing it once again on the First Thursday of each month.
Also, a big thank-you our good friend Jeremy of Jeremy Green Photography
who won the audience "Drove the Furthest to Get Here" Award for the evening...we appreciate that, partner!
Well, that's a wrap, and what fun it was for everyone involved, what we of course can not even begin to describe here was the amount of networking that went on over so many levels - in person - online - business cards - and even a LOT of follow-ups that occurred after the festival...
That's what we love to hear....!
By the way, if you are a film maker who would like submit to our festival, we'd love to see your work!
Jeremy Green is a photographer who enjoys visual problem solving and communication. He has worked as a freelance photographer and has traveled on assignment extensively for more than 30 years, gaining national recognition and winning awards from numerous photographic, advertising and graphic design societies for his work for corporations, universities, hospitals, museums, graphic design firms, architects, and advertising agencies. Jeremy holds a Bachelor’s degree from Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California.
Jeremy continues to shoot assignments nationwide, and occasionally serves as an Adjunct Professor of Photography at Austin Community College. He is also available as an instructor for workshops or personal tutoring.
You can enter your feature film, short film, animation or screenplay either on the home page, or by clicking on your favorite film festival submission portal below:
