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Meet the Filmmaker: Kaitlin McMullen, “Patrick Sheridan’s Purpose”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
KM: The moment I realized that I was a filmmaker was truly after the making of Patrick Sheridan’s Purpose. Storytelling is special because it teaches an audience to love, to forgive others, to be just and to strive for better than we have. Patrick gave me the opportunity share his story into the world through film. Patrick is a piece of history and wisdom that needed to be documented. Patrick’s documentary inspired thousands of people. I can not tell you how many people reached out to me to say they were grateful for the film I made for him. I am so grateful for Patrick and his impact that he put on thousands of lives. This film changed my life as a filmmaker and I live my day to day life continuing his legacy. Patrick Sheridan, thank you for being the best mentor and role model. Thank you for everything!

Q: What are we going to see at EFPalooza? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
KM: The audience is going to see Patrick Sheridan’s Purpose, a documentary in honor of Patrick Sheridan’s legacy. This film was screened at the Warren Tech Pi Awards & Colorful Colorado Film Festival best in 2017. It has been screen at the Bug Theater three times for three different events.

Q: What else are you working on?
KM: I am currently always busy working at my video production company & studio, Mighteor & soona. Mighteor is the world’s first online video production company. soona is the world’s first one day photo & video studio. My favorite side hustles are creating short documentaries for small businesses, people who I find as inspirational role models, and of my travels.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
KM: I am an adventure enthusiast that isn’t afraid to get dirty to get quality content. I am always looking for new locations to explore and document.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
KM: People can check out my content on my website, Instagram, Facebook, Vimeo, and YouTube!
Website: KaitlinRayne.com
Instagram: @kaitlinmcmullen
Facebook: Kaitlin McMullen
Vimeo: vimeo.com/kaitlinmcmullen
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQZ7smuMFsasAB0-Hd00lgQ

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
KM: Thank you so much for giving ALL filmmakers the opportunity to share there work in front of an audience on a big screen. I have yet to find a community of like minded people like the EFPalooza or The Emerging Filmmakers Project! It is such an HONOR to be part of something so special.

Patrick Sheridan’s Purpose will screen Saturday, February 23rd at 8:00 p.m. at The Bug Theatre as part of the Narrative & Documentary Shorts block during the 2019 EFPalooza Film Festival.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Ben Makinen, “Anthropocene”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
BM: I love filmmaking because it is lucid dreaming.

Q: What are we going to see at EFPalooza? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
BM: Anthropocene is a montage: footage shot throughout Colorado while making my documentarby Jazz Town (currently in post prod.). My intent was to have it serve as an interlude within Jazz Town, but by the time I finished editing it to the original music I wrote it had become too long for an interlude and begged to stand alone as a short.

Q: What else are you working on?
BM: I am also shooting music videos and behind the scenes docs for various bands in Denver and Boulder through my film company Bmakin Film. I also write and produce music: recently did the score for Kelly McAllister’s short Strong Tea. More at my website www.benmakinen.com
I also work and teach as a drummer: I play drums every Monday night at Elchapultepec and every 4th Thursday I lead a jazz jam session at the Bear Creek Distillery. Every 2nd Thursday I play at the Golden Moon Speakeasy in Golden w local blues legend David Booker…

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
BM: I am working on a feature length film titled JazzTown. I have interviewed Dianne Reeves , Ron Miles, Art Lande and (former) Gov. Hickenlooper among many other local luminaries…This project began as a way of honoring my mentors who gave me a start as a jazz drummer here in Denver back in the 80s. As I collected interviews from my elders I realized I could encompass a broader spirit of jazz by expanding the film to all ages of musicians and thereby capture the tradition of passing the torch from one generation to the next as a way of keeping jazz alive.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
BM: One weird thing about me is that I did Tai chi with Francis Ford Coppola on the set of the Outsiders in Tulsa Oklahoma while working as an extra. The wrap party was epic…

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
BM: I am thrilled to have been invited into the fold by EFP. I look forward to growing with the film community here in Denver and I hope to build new friendships through making film.

Anthropocene will screen Saturday, February 23rd at 6:00 p.m. at The Bug Theatre as part of the Experimental & Animated Shorts block during the 2019 EFPalooza Film Festival.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Sheryl Glubok, “Lily ‘N’ Rose”

Q: What are we going to see at EFPalooza? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
SG: Lily ‘N’ Rose is a Colorado made short we shot in Denver, Paonia, Grand Junction, and the Devil’s Punchbowl outside Aspen. We’ve screened locally at Women + Film, CIWF, Paonia’s Paradise Theater, and the Brews, Bikes, & Blockbuster Fest in Ft. Collins. Outside CO, we’ve played Woods Hole Film Fest, Vermont International Film Fest, Kerry Film Fest in Ireland, Underwire Film Fest and Catfish Shorts in London.

Q: What else are you working on?
SG: My first feature! Welcome to the Fishbowl which I co-wrote with Donald Rae and will also be set in Colorado.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
SG: For lots more detail about our awesome cast and crew and BTS photos please visit www.lilynrosefilm.com and for my previous shorts www.vimeo.com/sherylglubok

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
SG: We’re so excited to be playing at The Bug again! Thank you for all you do to support our local filmmaking community.

Lily ‘N’ Rose will screen Saturday, February 23rd at 8:00 p.m. at The Bug Theatre as part of the Narrative & Documentary Shorts block during the 2019 EFPalooza Film Festival.

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Meet the Filmmakers: Grant Worden & Shannon Malloy, “Losing Faith”

Grant Worden

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
GW: I want to say cinema found me due to the fact it took me a while to fall into film production, script writing, and editing techniques. But, all through my childhood, high school and university years, I found myself using unconventional creative to complete assignments and stand out. Sometimes these creatives solutions came in the form of doodles, poetry, shorts stories, song lyrics, radio programming, sports photography or video production. I became a filmmaker to give my characters, worlds, and scripts the respect and dedication they deserve. Being collaborative while making films helps dyslexic things read right-side-up and loud places seem quiet.  

Q: What are we going to see at EFPalooza? Has it screened elsewhere?
GW:  You are watching a Colorado Film School 2016 production Losing Faith. I had the pleasure of co-writing and directing. A lot of talented individuals went into making this film. Thank you to a stellar cast & crew, without your dedication these viewings wouldn’t be possible.

Q: What else are you working on?
GW: I have always enjoyed the question, “So, what’s next?” Writing-wise, I am dedicating 2019 to submitting original works to various writing competitions. I work as a production assistant on local and out-of-state commercial, narrative, and documentary film sets. Collaboration is always welcome – reach out!

Q: Where can people go to see more of your work?
GW: Website: Ghimselfproductions.com Social: Instagram – Grant Worden Social: Twitter – Grant WordenPress: Ondenver.com Taylor Herzog ArticlePress: EFP Meet the Filmmaker Jan 2019

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or EFP?
GW: This is the first time Losing Faith, Shannon and I have been able to be apart of the EFPalooza. Thank you again for all your hard work,  I enjoy the Bug Theatre’s events and have been attending EFP since 2016. It is always a humbling experience to see your name printed in the program and on screen. Thank you to all the people at the Bug as well as the board of directors responsible for coordinating this event. Having the stage and opportunity to discuss the production and stories behind the story is my favorite aspect of the EFPalooza / EFP community.

Shannon Malloy

Q: why did you become a filmmaker?
SM: I’m in love with being a storyteller and visually have always been captivated by telling stories on screen. I’ve always thrived while escaping into different worlds, and I think sometimes we as humans need that. I hope that by producing work as a writer and an actor that I can provide that escape for someone else.

Q: What are we going to see at EFPalooza? Has it screened elsewhere?
SM: We’ll be seeing Losing Faith which I got to co-write and star in. This is such a special film to me because I wrote it for my mom, which was the best way I knew how to thank her for raising me to be a strong and faithful woman. I’m so blessed that we got to produce a film full of everything I value. It was a beautiful ride.
It’s previously screened and was Honorably Mentioned in the One-Reeler Film Festival which was awesome. I’m so proud to share it and to have it well received is an honor.

Q: What else are you working on?
SM: I’m actually an actress who lives in LA so I’m focusing on getting work there and staying busy while my husband is deployed.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you/your movie?
SM: I’m an Army Wife! My husband and I were engaged for 11 days before we got married last New Year’s Eve (2018) and people often think it’s so bizarre that our lifestyles don’t clash but we make it work really well. He is such a big supporter of my career and my very best friend. I am truly blessed.

Q: Where can people go to see more of your work?
SM: Check out my website shannonmalloyofficial or look me up on YouTube, Backstage, IMDB and Instagram. You can also email me: shannonmalloy07@gmail.com

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or EFP?
SM: This is such an awesome festival held in Colorado! I’m so glad it’s continuing to flourish and to be welcomed back. Thank you for representing Colorado Film! I hope it continues to grow and prosper.

Losing Faith will screen Saturday, February 23rd at 8:00 p.m. at The Bug Theatre as part of the Narrative & Documentary Shorts block during the 2019 EFPalooza Film Festival.

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Meet the Filmmakers: Daniel Eltzroth & Jesse Theilman, “An Outright Dog”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
D: I became a filmmaker because I felt that it was the most effective medium for telling stories. I have always enjoyed writing and crafting stories, but often felt like the page alone lacked some of the magic that film brings to the table. My aim is to capture some of that magic for my own stories when attempting to bring them to life on-screen.

Q: What are we going to see at EFPalooza? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
D&J: An Outright Dog is a story of solitary failure disguised as success. It was been previously screened at the June 2018 EFP showcase.

Q: What else are you working on?
D&J: We are currently developing a farcical black comedy crime film. The aim is to make an ode to films like Clue and Pulp Fiction while blending the genre’s.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
D: One weird thing about me is that I never saw myself going into film until I was in College. I always saw myself as a music producer or engineer. Similar, but definitely not the same as writer/director.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
D&J: Frick and Frack Productions on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCze84dlgUVACjBYnG2QecPQ

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
D&J: We really love this project and the community it cultivates. As transplants to Denver, EFP has been a great place for us to find like-minded individuals who are chasing the same dreams and goals of being successful filmmakers.

An Outright Dog will screen Friday, February 22nd at 9:00 p.m. at The Bug Theatre as part of the Dark, SciFi & Horror Shorts block during the 2019 EFPalooza Film Festival.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Al Vigil, “Ducks ‘A Million!”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
AV: I’ve always loved movies! I’ve wanted to be a cartoonist or filmmaker or something for most of my life. They’re a lot of fun to plan and dissect, like a little optical puzzle box you build.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
AV: Ducks ‘A Million! It was my thesis film, it’s played here before and in New South Wales somewhere.

Q: What else are you working on?
AV: Right now I’m working on another film with the same Orange Duck Character, where he’s in a boxing match against an enormous bull. Look for that one soon (ish), I’ve finished about three minutes of that and I’m shooting to be done by may.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
AV: One weird thing is my movies aren’t cartoons, they’re all real and actually happened.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
AV: go to alvigilportfolio.club for my films or duckcomics.world for my comics

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
AV: EFP…..es bueno!

Ducks ‘A Million! will screen Saturday, February 23rd at 6:00 p.m. at The Bug Theatre as part of the Experimental & Animated Shorts block during the 2019 EFPalooza Film Festival.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Andrew Tennison, “Flushed”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
AT: Film is a language I understood and connected with at an early age, so I figured I’d try my hand at expressing myself with the tools of filmmaking.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
AT: You’re going to see Flushed, a short student film I shot about two years ago in my first year at CU Denver. It’s been screened at the Denver Film Festival, our school’s Cinefest, and the EFP last year.

Q: What else are you working on?
AT: I’m about to finish shooting my third short film, titled Down, which has more dramatic leanings than my previous shorts. I’m also making music as majordomo (lowercase), and you can find my songs on SoundCloud.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
AT: Flushed was partly inspired by a monologue I wrote for school in which a toilet repairman waxes romantic about the shared humanity that’s expressed in public restrooms.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
AT: You can subscribe to my YouTube channel, which is under my name – Andrew Tennison, and you can follow me on Twitter @majordomo_music.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
AT: Thanks for having me again! The EFP has been very kind to me and I’m happy to be able to show my work at this great festival.

Flushed will screen Friday, February 22nd at 7:00 p.m. at The Bug Theatre as part of the Comedy Shorts block during the 2019 EFPalooza Film Festival.

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Meet the Filmmakers: Brandy Mello & Matthew Kirkman, “Barking Brave”

Brandy Mello, Producer

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
BM: I have always loved film as a medium – the use of movement and light paired with sound to stir emotion. It is an amazing way to tell a story.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
BM: Barking Brave is a short film about a young girl facing her fears. We hosted a private screening for cast and crew. It was then screened in Boulder at Colorado Film Incubator, the Intendence Film Festival, the Colorado Independent Women of Film Festival and EFP.

Q: What else are you working on?
BM: We have compiled a list of festivals to which we are submitting Barking Brave. I am currently working on a novel which will be submitted to agents in the Spring. After that I would like to direct a short through the same collaborative process we used for Barking Brave. We gathered scripts and selected one and from there we asked around in the Boulder film community for individuals willing to dedicate some time to the project.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
BM: I have worked mostly on promotional video. This is my first narrative short film.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
BM: https://brandymello.blogspot.com
https://vimeo.com/velvetplaidproductions

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
BM: I am grateful that the Emerging Filmmakers Project has given us an opportunity to screen our work. This is really exciting! I got my feet wet in the Boulder community, but I live in Denver now and am excited to get to know the Denver film community.

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
MK: I became a filmmaker because I enjoyed making crazy films in high school.

Matthew Kirkman, Director

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
MK: You will see Barking Brave, a shot about a little girl facing her fear of dogs. The film has been submitted to several film festivals.

Q: What else are you working on?
MK: I am currently working on an animated short envisioning an arctic world dressed up for Halloween.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
MK: I prefer sleeping on the floor. I am told this is weird.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
MK: To find out more about my work you can visit my vimeo page at: vimeo.com/mkirkman

Barking Brave will screen Saturday, February 23rd at 8:00 p.m. at The Bug Theatre as part of the Narrative & Documentary Shorts block during the 2019 EFPalooza Film Festival.

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Meet the Filmmakers: Jamey Hastings & Travis Duncan, “Waiting on the Space Poets”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
TD: Film involves so many creative disciplines. There’s no other form quite like it.
JH: I wanted to tell stories, and I think film is one of the best ways to do that.

Q: What are we going to see at EFPalooza? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
T&J: Waiting on the Space Poets was created as part of a technology themed art exhibit in Oct. 2017 at Pikes Peak Library District. It actually won 2nd place in the competition, which was sweet. So far that’s the only place it has screened. We’re sending it to experimental fests and exhibits and perhaps some sci-fi type fests/conventions.

Q: What else are you working on?
T&J: What aren’t we working on? We are wrapping up post production on a creepy film called I Am Awakened, which Travis wrote. Jamey is editing a feature-length documentary we filmed last summer about Dragon Theatre Productions, a community-inclusive theatre group in Colorado Springs. We are also in the research phase of a short historical-fiction/bio-pic set around, or exactly in, 1905. Oh, and we also just wrapped post on a mini-documentary about the Rocky Mountain Flyathlon, so hopefully you’ll see that one soon.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
TD: I’m a musician and composer. I particularly enjoyed composing a piece consisting of typewriter, ukulele, flute and trombone for this film.
JH: I knew exactly where to find the satellites for this film, because many years ago I worked at the TV station where they’re located. It’s now a custom countertop store.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
T&J: You May Clap Productions is on Facebook and Twitter or you can check out the website: http://youmayclap.com
Oh, and also: https://vimeo.com/jameyhastings

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
T&J: The Emerging Filmmakers Project is one of our favorite places to screen and meet filmmakers and actors. We’re super grateful that it exists.

Waiting on the Space Poets will screen Thursday, February 21st at 8:00 p.m. at The Bug Theatre as part of the Emerging Filmmakers Project block during the 2019 EFPalooza Film Festival.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Jonny Mancini, “Mecha”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
JM: I first picked up a camera when I was 6 and began making videos with my brothers. I continued to makes films throughout my childhood, and into high school beginning to teach myself how to use editing software. I began more serious about my filmmaking my first year of college when I realized I could make a career of what I love if I work hard enough at it.

Q: What are we going to see at EFPalooza? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
JM: Mecha was my junior year project which I wrote, filmed, and directed on my own. It is an experimental sci-fi film about an adolescent android boy and his journey of self discovery through dream. It has received more than 30 international and domestic screenings, and has gone on to win 7 awards in festivals based in places including Orlando and all the way to India and Tokyo.

Q: What else are you working on?
JM: I am currently working on my first feature film. Which will be hopefully be adapted from a new short I am creating simultaneously.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
JM: I recently broke a personal record during my most recent film Gemini, and only had the police called on me and my crew once during the shooting of the film.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
JM: I am working on a website, but currently my Vimeo and Youtube pages contain most of my work from school and elsewhere, and act as a kind of portfolio. My photography and visual art is showcased primarily on my instagram: ynnojjonny

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
JM: I have done many festival Q&A’s but I have never had so much fun during one as I have with Emerging Filmmakers Project. The audience was curious and engaged, being full of filmmakers and film lovers, and it felt really special to share my work with them.

Mecha will screen Saturday, February 23rd at 6:00 p.m. at The Bug Theatre as part of the Experimental & Animated Shorts block during the 2019 EFPalooza Film Festival.