I write to you today to bring news of two brave independent Memphis filmmaker. Men of mystery, purveyors of pixel and cellulose who create tales of tear-bringing beauty for the big screen, little screen, and every screen between.
Both are men of unquestioned artistic vision, masters of the both the craft and jargon1 of cinematography; one is none too shabby with an energy weapon.
I know what you’re thinking at this point, “Enough about these guys already. Weren’t you once in an independent Memphis film?”
Why yes. Yes I was indeed. It is just this sort of dedication to my personal accomplishments that so endears me to you as an audience. But enough about me, the men I refer to are none other than “Chiseled” Chris Pollock and our own “Danger” Dan Baker.
Chris and Dan have worked together on several local independent films including Danger Couch and the Tinsel of Doom, Plain Jane, and now John Gray.
It is this last cinematic creation that I wish to discuss with you today.
Co-written and co-directed by Baker and Pollock, and produced by Paul Skidmore, John Gray is a semi-finalist in the Doorpost Film Project national competition and has a chance to win some serious money for these hard working artists.
This is where you come in, but I’ll let Dan tell it:
If we are one of the top ten short films, we get the chance to make an even bigger film (for which Doorpost provides the funding). The winners of that round receive cash prizes, part of which we will put towards continuing to make films.
You need to register to rate films, but it only takes a few seconds. Also, in order for your vote to count, you’ll also need to rate 4 additional films. They’re all under 7 minutes, so it shouldn’t take too long. After you watch, feel free to leave us a comment!
I really can’t speak highly enough about this film. It is a beautiful steampunk romance that gives no hint of its two-months-from-concept-to finish-production pace.
Well enough stalling. You heard the man, get to viewing.
Keep up Dan’s ongoing adventures at Danwrotethis.com
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And keep your fingers crossed as Doctor Toboggans meets the undead at the Memphis Zombie Massacre April 24th. Hopefully he’ll be eaten.
Images courtesy of JLR Photography -see more production pics here and here.
- It is a little publicized fact that I hate jargon and overspecialized language of any kind and protest it every chance I get. When working with Dan on various video projects, typical comments from me would go something like this:
“No Dan, I can’t get you a ’stinger’ but you look like you cold use this extension cord.”
“Should you you day get married, I will happily be your best man, but please don’t ever again ask me to be your ‘best boy’”. «
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Man, if I’m wrong I’m gonna feel really dumb -But isn’t Rem Furina Fry?
It was great. Seriously.
Yes LOBO,
there is a Santa Claus…Rem is Furina and Furina is Comma Girl, my youngest offspring. But wasn’t it great? It’s hard to believe how professional it looks.It really was cool (and I have a “thing” for Steampunk work too).
I’ll squeak out a review as soon as I’ve watched four other pieces competing with John Gray (as required), and have sufficiently smoten their pedantic celluloid viscera with such a bloodthirsty rancor as mortal humankind has never before seen.
-The seas will run red with the Strawberry Gatorade of my Eternal Vengeance!
But as Comma Girl’s agent, I recommend giving some advance notice on these things.
-It keeps my fees down.
I’m just blown away. That was fantastic. I love films that don’t spell it out for you. You had to pay attention because the message was in the details. It works as a short film but it left me wanting more; could easily be a full feature.
I recognized Rem right away…she just has a wonderful, rich, screen presence. I kind of wanted her to break out in song. Can this evolve into a musical?
I hope I’m not being insulting but the short film had a Burtonesque feel to it; dark and quirky. I personally love his work…even Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Ok, it was way too violent but Johnny Depp pulled it off somehow.
Anyway, it is very exciting to see such budding talent from everyone involved in this short film.
Thanks for sharing and I will not forget to vote.
I wasn’t involved in the making of it, but from what they tell me, they were looking for a steampunk/Burtonesque feel for it from the beginning.
And they got it down cold.
Tell everyone to vote
Thanks Debbie!
We caught some flack on the Doorpost contest site from viewers for not totally spelling the story out, so I really appreciate somebody taking the time to notice the fine detail we wove into the story.
Random John Gray Trivia:
A lot of the major props from the film were actually from the Theater of Memphis production of Sweeny Todd. We got to borrow their props!
More Trivia:
In the beginning when John sits down at his desk and opens his treasure box to pull out his postcards, you can see pictures of a man and a woman in the inside of the lid, and a wedding band hanging on a chain between them. The pictures are John’s Mother and Father (as the cards are love letters from John’s Father to his Mother). There is only one wedding band hanging from the chain, because John’s father died while on a far off adventure, and was never found, hence, John does not have his Father’s wedding band. It really doesn’t factor into the plot much, but that’s how much detail we put into the movie, and how intentional every little thing was.
Well… ok… almost everything. I wish I could take credit for the caged birds behind Susie in the breakfast scene (as she is a bit of a caged bird herself). Maybe Sarah Hascher, our AMAZING production designer did, but I sure didn’t.
Danger Dan,
How cool is that? I just sensed Sweeny Todd.
I’m sure there was some symbolism (caged bird you mentioned) and/or foreshadowing (not sure how much foreshadowing you can have in a short film but you get the idea) I missed but that is the beauty of film, you can watch it again. I love watching movies for the second or third time and catching something that was missed that really brings new meaning to the entire film…hence the extreme importance of the fine points.
Obvious plot lines just dumb down the audience; film should always make us use our noggin don’t ya think?
Anyway, great job and good luck!
I will check it out!
See that you do.
Check out these public albums of production stills:
Album 1
Album 2
AND GO VOTE! 10 finalists out of 100 contestants means that 10% of the competitors will be chosen and move forward – that’s not an impossibly slim margin, your votes DO make a difference!
Thanks Brent!
Thanks Jenn, they are now duly added to the original post as well.
Not to mention the best looking pics I’ve had in post.
Best boys are very important though
So I’m told. Consider me cautiously skeptical though.
The film was truly brilliant. I loved it! Thanks for all your great comments Debbie.
Sure thing Camiracle!
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