Month: February 2019

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Meet the Filmmaker: Marin Lepore, “I Put the Bi in Bitter” (pilot episode)

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Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
ML: The media we consume heavily influences the world we live in, so it’s important that content is diverse and inclusive. I became a writer because I still rarely see these types of stories on screen. And when those films don’t exist, you have to make them yourself, right?

Q: What are we going to see at EFPalooza? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
ML: EFPalooza will be screening the pilot episode of my comedy web-series I Put the Bi in Bitter which follows a bisexual teen and her lesbian BFF as they attempt to survive high school. We’re currently in the middle of a small US festival run, and have recently been accepted to ClexaCon, an LGBT convention in Las Vegas. In March, the series will be shown at the Colorado Dragon Festival which highlights Asian filmmakers. EFP is the first festival in Colorado to screen it. The season in its entirety is available for free on our Youtube channel /SadGirlProductions.

Q: What else are you working on?
ML: My team and I are currently in development of I Put the Bi in Bitter Season Two, which follows the same three characters during their Spring semester of Junior Year, starting right where Season One left off. We plan to wrap production in March and release soon after. I’m also co-creator of Sad Girl Productions, a film production company that creates female-centric comedies, and we have a couple other short films in the works as well.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
ML: As a gay woman of color, I’m very passionate about minority representation in film, and my stories often highlight LGBT and POC communities. I ultimately aspires to write and work on TV shows for kids and teens, because I think a huge thing LGBT media is missing right now is being accessible to younger audiences. By creating content like this, I want kids to know that not every LGBT story has to be tragic, or dramatic, or R-rated, or sexual.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
ML: Website: sadgirlproductions.com
Instagram: instagram.com/sadgirlprods
Youtube: youtube.com/SadGirlProductions

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
ML: I’ve been to several of the monthly EFP events and I really respect the work you all do to support indie filmmakers here in Denver. It’s always a great environment to meet other creatives in the local community.

I Put the Bi in Bitter (pilot episode) 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: Hector Quijano, “REM”

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Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
HQ: I became a filmmaker to create and explore worlds which are virtually confined within our imagination. As spectators or illusionists, we have the imagination to believe in something more [allegorical] than our own reality.

Q: What are we going to see at EFPalooza? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
HQ: REM is a psychological horror/drama about the notion of dreams. It has screened at various festivals within the state and a couple out-of-state festivals. I hope to continue receiving exposure and network as a filmmaker with this film.

Q: What else are you working on?
HQ: We are in the pre-production stage of a short narrative titled; OSMOSIS, which explores surreal elements of mother nature.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
HQ: I have a tendency to kill off lead characters but somehow keep them alive through metaphysical mysticism created by the universe they inhabit.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
HQ: www.vimeo.com/hectorquijano and @hqcinematics on social media.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
HQ: Thank you to the Emerging Filmmakers Project for exposing filmmakers, not only to general audiences, but to other filmmakers and artists alike. Networking is one of the most important elements of indie filmmaking.

REM 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 Filmmakers: Stacy Farrar and Henry Cavalier, “Collision”

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Collision was written by actress Stacy Farrar and filmed in collaboration with Henry Cavalier. During filming, Stacy and her young son Ian were tragically murdered. Months later, with permission from her family, the cast and crew of Collision came together and found a way to finish the project in her memory. Through Collision the cast and crew hope to cherish and remember Stacy’s passion for film and acting, as well as honor her memorable impact on our local film community.

Collision 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: Lewis Leslie, “Mental”

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Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
LL: I became obsessed with movies at a young age. I used to annoy my parents with movie trivia, and information about specific actors and filmmakers. Little did I know, as a teenager and twenty-something in a rock band, that one day I would get the chance to make movies. I have always loved storytelling, and the escape that movies provided, so one day I decided to try my hand at screenwriting. I dove in head first, reading every screenwriting book I could get my hands on, and smashing keys on Final Draft for years and years before mustering up the courage to show anyone my work. After receiving positive feedback, I decided that I wanted to try directing, so I hired a crew and put the cast in place to make my first film, the feature-length grindhouse horror film Killer Ink, which featured a cameo by Star Wars actor Peter Mayhew. The rest is history!

Q: What are we going to see at EFPalooza? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
LL: “When professional insomniac Ty Brown’s music career hits a slump, he grows frustrated by his future step-daughter’s erratic behavior, and must confront her in order to bring harmony back to the household.” Mental is a psychological thriller/horror film that stars Emmy-nominated T.O.N.E-z from the FX show Justified, local actress extraordinaire Mia Klosterman & jaw-dropping newcomer Anastasia Ullmann. It’s a study into the psychosis of a child that doctors have labeled callous and unemotional, and how her instability affects her mother and her mother’s boyfriend’s daily lives. Mental has screened at the EFP, as well as the Peak Film Forum in CO Springs, where it was awarded first runner-up.

Q: What else are you working on?
LL: My company Dream Hero Productions has a few films in post-production, and we are actively developing an exorcism feature film titled Cross to Bear, and The Dying Fields, which would best be described as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre meets The Evil Dead. There is always a chance we might explore expanding Mental, as well. I did the NANOWRIMO writing challenge last November, and the book that I wrote was an expansion on the characters from this short, along with other characters from my films and unproduced screenplays. There is definitely potential for more to come from this tale.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
LL: I primarily swim in the waters of horror films, and I tend to focus more on the psychology behind the killer, as opposed to the gore. That’s not to say I don’t bring the rivers of blood when necessary, but I’d rather have the audience try to figure out what makes these people tick, than focus solely on spectacle. I have had the pleasure of working with some of Colorado’s finest FX gurus, and I can’t wait to spend more time on set with the amazing professionals we have in this state.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
LL: Dream Hero Productions posts updates to the following social media sites: www.facebook.com/dreamheroproductions | www.twitter.com/dreamheroprod | www.instagram.com/dream.hero.productions

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
LL: I cannot recommend The Bug Theatre, EFPalooza, and The Emerging Filmmakers Project enough! This place, and the wonderful people behind their filmmaker showcases, have done a phenomenal job putting Colorado filmmakers in the spotlight. I am beyond grateful to be a small part of the community they have built and supported. I wish nothing but success for the EFP, and all of the filmmakers who have had the honor of showing their work at The Bug Theatre throughout the years. We miss you, Patrick.

Mental 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: Alex Killian, “Wakeful Sleep”

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Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
AK: I’ve been obsessed with film my whole life and the impact of particular films at particular times in my life really made me who I am today. I think film is the most powerful medium there is and my ever-present goal is to utilize my point of view to incite empathy, move people, and tell stories that deserve to be told.

Q: What are we going to see at EFPalooza? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
AK: Wakeful Sleep is a short film about sleep anxiety, shot entirely on iPhone. I’m a strong believer in the idea that what’s in front of the camera is more important than the camera itself and that filmmakers shouldn’t limit themselves by the equipment they can afford. Wakeful Sleep was originally created as a submission for the Moment Invitational Film Festival and it screened at the May 2018 Emerging Filmmakers Project.

Q: What else are you working on?
AK: I’m currently directing an indie short film called A.L.M., going into production in March, as well as working in both production and post for season 2 of the web series, I Put the Bi in Bitter. I’m also acting in a few upcoming projects and producing a weekly YouTube series about filmmaking.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
AK: I have such a hard time choosing between pre, prod, & post, as well as being in front of the camera or behind it. I love every aspect of the filmmaking process and I’d write, act, direct, shoot, & edit every project if I could.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
AK: The best place to check out my work is my personal website: http://alexkillian.com or my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AlexKillian

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
AK: I really appreciate EFP. One of the hardest parts of filmmaking is the struggle of getting your work seen and the opportunity to share your film on a big screen for an audience is invaluable.

Wakeful Sleep 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: Nancy Fingerhood, “CJ’s”

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Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
NF: I have the urge to tell stories and share my sense of humor.

Q: What are we going to see at EFPalooza? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
NF: We are seeing a spoof commercial called CJ’s. It has screened at the Never Sad Always Happy Comedy Bop in Brooklyn.

Q: What else are you working on?
NF: I just finished acting in a local series called It’s So Brighton and I am working on a dramatic script.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
NF: Some call me the spoof queen because I make a lot of spoof commercials.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
NF: They can go to Mile High Nancy on YouTube.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
NF: I am excited to be part of the festival and appreciate this opportunity.

CJ’s 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 Filmmaker: Jesus Medina, “Russian Ghosts”

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Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
JM: I have loved films since I was a child. It was a logical progression to learn and do.

Q: What are we going to see at EFPalooza? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
JM: It has not screened anywhere else, indeed this is the premiere.
No plans for it, merely to add it to a body of work I’m building before I make longer films.

Q: What else are you working on?
JM: Working on a pilot for television based in the Canadian old west.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
JM: I’ve been told I live in my own mind, since I love to create stories by going off in my own tangent.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
JM: My youtube channel, it has much of my commercial and creative work.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
JM: Thank heaven’s you guys exist, it would be more difficult to find a live audience to show film work.
Yes the internet is there, but its not the same.

Russian Ghosts 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: Antoine M. Dillard, “Gotta Make It”

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Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
AD: I became a filmmaker because I wanted to tell stories. I wanted to make people, smile, laugh, feel, and be introduced to worlds and perspectives that they’ve never seen or thought about

Q: What are we going to see at EFPalooza? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
AD: You’re going to see part of the journey of Kendall Graham. A film student with exception skill trying to find his place in the film industry. So far it has been screened in Italy and has won a few awards and nominations. Right now it’s on Amazon Prime Video & OpPrime TV streaming services. No other plans than to get in front of as many eyeballs as possible.

Q: What else are you working on?
AD: I just wrapped post-production on Rise of the Avalanche: Revenge from the Shadows https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7327932/reference Currently producing a web series called Long Walks on the Beach https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8788606/reference & writing my first feature film Crazy Weapon 5: Back for the First Time https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8538244/reference

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
AD: lol I’m not sure if it’s a weird thing or not but I try to put easter eggs in all of my films that reference other films I’ve done.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
AD: They can go to my production company website here: http://quantumvisualfx.com/

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
AD: I think The Emerging Filmmakers Project & EFPalooza are excellent! There aren’t many outlets for independent filmmakers locally in general and I’m so happy that The Emerging Filmmakers Project & EFPalooza exist!

Gotta Make It 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: Adam Rosenberg, “Huevos”

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Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
AR: As a creative person I feel the need to express myself, and film is a wonderful form of expression. I love the combination of creativity and technicality that it takes to make films, and that it’s so many art forms combined into one.

Q: What are we going to see at EFPalooza? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
AR: Huevos is a dark comedy about a man who receives a mysterious proposition from his childhood crush.

Q: What else are you working on?
AR: We just released a branded short film for a bidet company called Tushy. The film is called THE RUNS and it’s an epic battle between rivals for the last roll of toilet paper.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
AR: Believe it or not I have an affection for potty humor in my life and films. Poop, pee, farts, weiners, and sex are common themes. Mannequins and dolls are common too.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
AR: www.mradamrosenberg.com

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
AR: I love it! I try to screen all of my films here. It’s a wonderful, supportive community of local filmmakers.

Huevos 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: Michael Bliss, “Praise the Dead”

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Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
MB: I started making films at the age of 15 and on my 16th birthday I wrote in my journal that I want to be a filmmaker and director. Through the years I have made that dream a reality by working at ABC, FOX, ESPN, and working on many films and documentaries. A couple of highlights of my life was working with Robert Rodriquez on the film The Faculty and working at an art gallery helping frame artwork for Richard Linklater, and Quentin Tarantino. These three filmmakers have been an inspiration and a big influence of my filmmaking career.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
MB: A Priest vs Zombies. Who will win?
Praise the Dead has screened in four film festivals now and won an audience award at Open Screen Night.
This film is in honor of George Romero. My plan with Praise the Dead is to develop this idea into a feature.

Q: What else are you working on?
MB: Restoring Historic Elitch Theatre and creating a cultural revival on the original grounds of Elitch Gardens.

Working on Blissfest333 “Odyssey 2019”
20th Anniversary
A multimedia, Cultural Arts, Film Festival
We are creating unity within our commUNITY, bringing love, peace, harmony and bliss to a festival about creativity and individuality.
I am currently working on many film projects. Here is a few of them.
HUSH Little Baby A psychological thriller about motherhood. (In Production)
The Troll – This is a story about a troll that gets lost in the city.
ZombieFest II “Sloppy Seconds” – The Dead are Alive
333 Degrees – 3 stories, 3 minutes long tied all together with a bridge. (similar to a bridge in a song)

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
MB: I like Clowns

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
MB: www.blissfest333.com
www.etfest.com
 www.historicelitchtheatre.org

Praise the Dead 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.