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Meet the Filmmaker: Leon Welling, “Bad Pink”

1275328_10201451346718587_63764989_oBad Pinkhttp://www.youtube.com/user/CartoonNiche

Meet Leon Welling. Leon is a filmmaker and animator based in Colorado Springs who is currently in post-production on his first feature, Costigan Bloch.  He’ll be screening one of his animated films, Bad Pink, at the November EFP.

EA: Why did you become a filmmaker?

LW: Because I’m incapable of contributing anything else to the planet.

EA: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?

LW: Film is called Bad Pink. Sort of a first entry into possible web series. It has not screened anywhere else besides the web.

EA: What else are you working on?

LW: Editing a feature film called Costigan Bloch. During the first half of next year, will be in pre-pro for another feature film along with a web series.

EA: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?

LW: I used to be the person who made the funny movies. But it’s been changing a lot, to where I’d prefer to make something funny when I feel funny, and something unnerving when I’m unnerved. In short, I’d prefer to be a complete schizo.

EA: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?

LW: My Facebook page, (Kent Leon Welling,) my youtube channel, (CartoonNiche,) and my Twitter ( Leon Welling @CostiganBloch)

EA: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?

LW: I’ve attended a few times and have found myself impressed at the rate of work flowing out of Denver. Great venue to meet people and even better resource for future projects.

Bad Pink will screen November 21st at The Emerging Filmmakers Project.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Mark Roeder, “The Low Road, Baby”

1394991_10202580667628093_1966709595_nThe Low Road, Baby | https://www.facebook.com/TheLowRoadBaby

Meet Mark Roeder.  Mark is the filmmaker behind several well-known local shorts, including The Meatman, The Crippler and Fire Ripples (currently in post-production.)  Mark will be screening his latest film, The Low Road, Baby, at the November Emerging Filmmaker’s Project.

EA: Why did I become a filmmaker?

MR: I took a screenwriting class in college, and decided thats what I wanted to do, because I love writing and movies. I like coming up with ideas and constructing stories. I love acting and filmmaking, so I thought eventually I’d like to direct my own scripts. I’ve been dreaming about it and doing it on the side for decades, then I went to Colorado Film School and have been making short films and acting to hone my craft.

EA: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?

MR: The Low Road, Baby is a battle over a baby on a highway overpass in roaring traffic. Its four minutes of fun, light hearted, fast paced action. It screened at Blissfest in Manitou Springs and a private cast and crew screening for a separate photshoot by Ralph Giordano, starring one of the actors, Heath Heine. I’m entering it into other film festivals. I’d like to get it seen as much as possible, see what the reaction to it is, if people enjoy it. I’d also like to use it and other shorts to help me get a Time Travel feature made.

EA: What else are you working on?

MR: I’m in post production on a short called Fire Ripples. Its about an escaped mental patient who is chased into a forest fire. He sees a female fire fighter and drags her into an opening in the fire. He may be insane, but he thinks he can tame wildfire. I have a teaser for that I can show at EFP also. I’m also writing a feature called Sister Universe, and plan to make a Time Travel feature that I have written after Fire Ripples.

EA: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?

MR: I used to write and sing song parodies inspired by Weird Al. The movies, like the songs, are unique, a little twisted. I have a short film called The Crippler, about a girl who falls out of love with her boyfriend when he throws her out a window and cripples her, so she hires The Crippler to cripple her boyfriend. Or The Meatman, which is about a Meatman turned scientist who feeds diseased meat to his assistant. The meat eats into his brain and he turns the tables on the evil meatman. These films, except Fire Ripples, are comedic. But probably not everyone will find them funny. Some mothers may not find a baby dangling over a bridge above highway traffic funny.

EA: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?

MR: People can go to The Low Road, Baby facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheLowRoadBaby Or the Fire Ripples page: https://www.facebook.com/FireRipples I’m also involved in the Blissfest Film and Art Festival in Manitou Springs: http://www.blissfest333.org/

EA: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?

MR: The Emerging Filmmakers Project is a great opportunity to get your films seen. It is growing and getting better. I have been extremely impressed with both the turnout and the quality of the films they have shown here lately. And since it has free beer, hopefully if people drink enough beer they will enjoy my film also!

The Low Road, Baby will screen November 21st at The Emerging Filmmakers Project.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Alan Wartes, “The Edge”

1396668_242881279203711_910622417_nMeet Alan Wartes.  Alan is a longtime friend of the Emerging Filmmakers Project, having screened several films over the years, including his short comedy Fast Food Romeo.  He’ll be back for the November EFP with his latest film The Edge.

EA: Why did you become a filmmaker?

AQ: I wanted to go to film school way back in the dim time when I graduated high school in 1978. But life doesn’t always cooperate, and I had to wait until the digital revolution democratized the art. I spent some years producing and directing live theater–and honing the art and craft of scriptwriting. But nothing beats the power of telling stories on screen.

EA: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?

AW: The Edge is a thoughtful drama which asks the questions, “What constitutes violence in modern society? Why do we deplore some forms of it and reward others? Can we really expect to escape the consequences?”

The film is just beginning to make its way into the national festival circuit. Aside from a cast and crew screening, the EFP is the first chance the public has had to see the film.

EA: What else are you working on?

AW: I have a script that has been burning a hole in my file cabinet for years called “Blood on the Barn Floor” about a boy forced to choose between his mother’s needs in a troubled marriage and his own.

I am also fascinated with the storytelling potential of animation (using Illustrator and After Effects) and am working on a fun animated video to go with my song “97 Bazillion Books”: https://soundcloud.com/search?q=97%20bazillion%20books

EA: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?

AW: Well I think you have to be kind of bent to want to be a no-budget indie filmmaker in the first place. It is a crazy-making and masochistic thing to do. But then it’s also weird how much we love it!

EA: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?

AW: You can see my writing, music and films at www.alanraywartes.com.

EA: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?

AW: Big fan. I love the party vibe which reinforces the idea that we are all in this together as artists. It’s not about who is prettiest. The EFP celebrates the very act of getting off your butt and making some art to share.

The Edge will screen November 21st at The Emerging Filmmakers Project.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Kevin Mohatt, “Apple Seeds”

1464885_10153473107620150_1046846385_nApple Seeds | www.KJMphotojournalism.com

Meet Kevin Mohatt.  Kevin is a filmmaker and photojournalist, and he and his wife recently welcomed a brand new baby into the world (Congratulations!)  Eileen recently sat down to talk with him about his short film Apple Seeds, which he will be screening at the November EFP.

EA: Why did you become a filmmaker?

KM: I absolutely love telling stories. Whether it’s through still photography, video or writing, I enjoy telling the stories of others. Film is a natural progression for me to tell those stories. And even though Apple Seeds is a fictional piece, I really enjoy telling the stories of real people in real situations.

EA: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?

KM: This is a film that features a 17-month-old boy who, as his older self, recollects a day when he thinks his parents left him alone. The film is cute and introspective (at least I think so;). It is narrated by 9-year-old actor Colin Blackford.

EA: What else are you working on?

KM: I recently filmed my wife’s birth and prenatal care to show a comparison between traditional doctor care and the midwifery model of care. Many see home births and VBACs as controversial decisions though I wanted to show that they can be a great option for lots of women. I’m currently in the editing phase of that documentary film and hope to have it complete by sprint of 2014.

EA: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?

KM: I don’t actually own my own camera that shoots video! Thanks to great family and friends, I’ve been able to shoot all my videos on borrowed equipment but I hope to get a new camera (with video) soon.

EA: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?

KM: Please visit http://ElatiPhotography.com for my wedding photography and video work and visit http://KJMphotojournalism.com for my photo stories.

EA: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?

KM: I think it’s great that there are organizations like EFP that support and encourage independent film in Denver. It’s nice for emerging filmmakers like myself to have a platform to show our work.

Apple Seeds will screen November 21st at The Emerging Filmmakers Project.

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Carrie: The Musical

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Carrie White is a misfit. At school, she’s an outcast who’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s at the mercy of her loving but cruelly over-protective mother. But Carrie’s just discovered she’s got a special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it… When Carrie is humiliated at the Prom she wreaks havoc on everyone and everything in her path.

NOW PLAYING: From the team behind “Evil Dead: The Musical,” “Reefer Madness: The Musical,” and “Bat Boy: The Musical” comes one of the most powerful musical experiences ever.

Adapted from Stephen King’s novel Carrie, it focuses on an awkward teenage girl with telekinetic powers whose lonely life is dominated by an oppressive religious fanatic mother. When she is humiliated by her classmates at the high school prom, she wreaks havoc on everyone and everything in her path. This is one intense and powerful musical that you won’t want to miss.

Only at The Bug Theatre
3654 Navajo Street

November 8 through 30
Fri and Sat at 7:30 PM
Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 at the door
(720) 984-0781

View the Facebook Event Invite

Visit Equinox Theatre Denver on Facebook

Click here to buy your tickets!

The trailer for Carrie: The Musical will screen November 21st at The Emerging Filmmakers Project.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Evan Wiley, “The Old Tin Can”

3101725The Old Tin Can | www.venturecompasspictures.com

Meet Evan Wiley.  Evan will be screening The Old Tin Can, a film he created and starred in, at the November EFP.  Eileen recently sat down with him to discuss the film and the other projects he currently has in the works.

EA: Why did you become a film maker?

EW: I’d say I became a film maker for several reasons, and I have a very specific philosophy on film as well. I’ve always loved movies, but I actually started making them when I was a lot younger, first starting to make cheesy action films with a friend of mine and uploading them to Youtube. I started to like it and from there, I started wanting to get more and more into it, taking it on myself to make my own films, and additionally doing internships, getting to know film makers, doing school independent studies and learning everything I could. I’d say I want to be a film maker in general because it is a beautiful way to express any and all aspects of life, not to make the beauty more than what it already is, but to put it in a light that expresses it to those who can not already see it. It’s powerful and universal, an also really fun.

EA: What are we going to see at EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?

EW: The Old Tin Can was a project I made entirely by myself, inspired by the actual old can that I found one day. I had no intention to submit the short to any festivals or projects such as this, but after re-watching it and remembering how fun it was to accomplish such a simple idea in such a great way, I wanted to be able to talk about it and express the power of this style of film.

EA: What else are you working on?

EW: I actually have a ton of very big, long-term projects that I’m currently working on, and I’m actually looking to make more shorts such as this in my time in between my big projects. I’m writing a feature and making a short film based off of that feature film, I am planning a web-series in collaboration with Moon Clock Films for the summer, a 24 hour film festival I am starting with a friend is coming up, and also a lot of smaller jobs such as Dorito commercials, my school independent study on acting, and some other short films– things of that nature.

EA: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?

EW: Probably one of the most unique or weird thing is the process I go about making a film and where the inspiration comes from. For example, a similar short I did that was post-apocalyptic was literally inspired by a pair of shoes I found in my garage. With short films like these, they are oftentimes inspired through a cool item, location or song which I can take and create a theme out of. I created a post-apocalyptic theme out of those shoes, and from there I add a story to the theme. I also like to leave my short films up for a lot of interpretation by the audience, I think it’s important for the visuals to play a large part in the story of films.

EA: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?

EW: You can go to my Youtube sites, Venture Compass Pictures, and Wiley Films. My new production company, Venture Compass can also be checked out at www.venturecompasspictures.com.

EA: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?

EW: I’d like to say that it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. I’ve tried to find places to submit my work and get recognition for my efforts in film though it’s oftentimes super hard to find a contest that either recognizes my particular style, or provides for varying styles of film in general. This project has helped me get out into the world of film without having to adhere to festival or contest requirements, and has helped get recognition and explain my work which I think is gold to emerging film makers I believe. You’re doing your job well as an organization, it’s very helpful.

The Old Tin Can will screen November 21st at The Emerging Filmmakers Project.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Mark Fukae, “The Unearthly Series” (trailer)

The Unearthly Series (trailer) | http://theunearthlyseries.com

Meet Mark Fukae.  Mark is the creator of The Unearthly, a twelve part, Cosmic Horror web series that centers on a group of teenage students and is described as “a dark exploration of forbidden knowledge.”  Mark will be screening the trailer for The Unearthly at the November EFP, and Eileen was fortunate enough to have a chance to speak with him ahead of time to get the full scoop on the series.

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EA: Why did you become a filmmaker?

MF: I was forever influenced by Stanley Kubrick’s 2001:A Space Odyssey when I was 13, but even before that Terry Gilliam’s Monty Python and the Holy Grail, when I was 5. It opened my mind to the power of filmmaking. I was highly aware that there was someone’s hand in there making it! Particularly Gilliam’s animation. Someone makes the film; Why can’t I do that?

EA: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?

MF: We are going to see the trailer to a Cosmic Horror TV series called The Unearthly. The Unearthly is based upon pulp Horror writer Howard Philips Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos. It centers around a group of teens that goes in search of their friend, Chuck Ward. The trailer represents the over arching storyline that is for the first season. What they eventually learn is that Chuck disappearance reveals a greater plan by a group of Necromancers to awaken a powerful Extraterrestrial called Yog-Sothoth from another dimension. The trailer and the pilot show is currently screening on YouTube, Vimeo, the Web Series Channel, Cinemarama and our own website: http://theunearthlyseries.com. That and we have entered into a few film festivals, such as The Philip K. Dick International Film Festival and the NextTv Web Series and Indie Film Competition.

EA: What else are you working on?

MF: In addition to the continuing series 1 production, We are preparing for season 2 of The Unearthly with some wonderful actors. I am also preparing for two features next year: An untitled Noir thriller and a ghost Horror called Soul Custody.

EA: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?

MF: One weird thing happened while we were shooting the pilot for The Unearthly. There is a scene, where Chuck Ward has to mail a package to his friend. In one take, the actor playing Chuck, Bryce runs up and and puts the package completely in the USPS mailbox and we couldn’t get it out. Two days later, I receive that prop package at my house! It helped of course, that there was my address on it labeled: “Important”. What was even more weird, was that there was no postage on it! So it has renewed my faith with the U.S. Postal Service.

EA: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?

MF: Go directly to our TV series webpage: http://theunearthlyseries.com to see the show and learn a little about me. You can also see some of my work at: http://athenzapball.com for a short film I produced and on YouTube you can find an interview of me about a short film that I shot and edited called The Breakdown on Highway 7.

EA: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?

MF: I Love the EFP! Where else in Colorado do we have a “salon”-style film presentation? Only at the Bug Theater! Nowhere else does any other venue provide a platform, where filmmakers and lovers of short films get together every 3rd Thursday of the month to watch great and engaging work.

The Unearthly (trailer) will screen November 21st at The Emerging Filmmakers Project.

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November 21st, 2013 Lineup

November 21st at 8:00 p.m. $5

Block 1:

Carrie: The Musical (trailer) Equinox Theatre Company (0:38)
The Unearthly Trailer
Mark Fukae (0:49)
Apple Seeds – Kevin Mohatt (3:59)
The Low Road, Baby – Mark Roeder (4:00)

Block 2:

The Old Tin CanEvan Wiley (6:00)
Reel Nerds Podshow Ep. 3: Rival Podcast – Bradley Haag (10:00)

Block 3:

Lenny C. (trailer) – Kris Hipps (2:00)
Bad Pink – Leon Welling (4:00)
The EdgeAlan Wartes (25:00)

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