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Meet the Filmmaker: Stephanie Bettman, “When We’re Together”

Q: Why did I become a filmmaker?

A: I fell in love with the theater as a child. I was an actress for many years, along with being a screenwriter and occasional producer of short films and commercials. I gave it all up to be a full-time songwriter and touring and recording artist. Since then I’ve had the desire to make music videos. This is my first live action music video. And I’m thrilled to be sharing it here at the emerging film makers project!

Q: What are we going to be seeing at the EFP?

A: You are screening my first live action music video “when we’re together”. This is a music video for an original song that I wrote for my 7th studio  album  “Timeless “.  It was released in June 2022.

Q: What else are you working on?

A: I’m currently working on a lot of new material, new songs. With several ideas for music videos in the pipeline. I am looking for more collaborators to create music videos with!

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

A: One thing about me that pretty much always remains consistent in my creative work; I am always intending to impact people in a positive way. I hope this video does that for a lot of people! Oh, I just realized the question was one weird thing about me. I guess a weird thing about me is that I used to be an aerialist. And I am getting back into that now that Covid shut down my touring schedule. Looking to bring that to a music video soon!

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

A: People can find out more about me and my music at bettmanandhalpin.com. Bettman & Halpin is my acoustic americana duo which has been touring nationally for the last 15 years. I am currently in the process of creating a solo project, but as that doesn’t exist yet, I can still be found in connection to Bettman & Halpin. Though I’m on FB and Instagram under both Stephanie Bettman, and Bettman & Halpin.

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

A: I’m so grateful to the emerging filmmakers project for choosing my video to be screened on September 15! Thank you so much for choosing me, and I look forward to meeting everybody there!

When We’re Together will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, September 15th, 2022 at The Bug Theatre.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Paul Jensen, “IRA”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?

A: From an early age, I remember having an interest in film/moving images. At that time, I think much of that interest was expressed in a consumption of film and digital media. I’m also a skateboarder, which is a culture heavily influenced by visual language.

I find the more I research, learn and participate in visual culture, the more I find, develop, and deepen my own understanding of my voice as both an artist and filmmaker. As I continue to grow and learn, I find I discover that voice more and more, a process that is ever-changing.

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

A: At this edition of EFP you will be seeing “IRA,” my first short film and a project I spent the past five years working on. Produced independently by myself and a number of former students, the film is a testament to the life of Ira Sanders, a high school economics teacher in the Twin-Cities area who has bravely and selflessly shared his story with students for years.

The film had its world premiere in NYC last fall and has been screening exclusively at film festivals/theatrical exhibitions since earlier this spring. This includes screenings in Los Angeles, Chicago, Austin, Portland, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Toronto, England, South Korea and more!

After a considerable festival/tour run, the film is preparing for a VOD launch this fall. The film also had an awards qualifying run at the Music Box Theater in Chicago in late July. I have a deep commitment and belief in the film and its story, so I plan to challenge myself and push for a Documentary Short Subject nomination at this year’s Academy Awards.

Q: What else are you working on?

A: While handling promotion and production of the film has proven consuming enough on top of my regular work, I have yet to commit to my next project. I’ve been approached with some ideas, in addition to a handful of my own curiosities, but am still waiting for the right project. I believe good things take time and patience.

Since completing the film, I’ve been enjoying my job as an editor in Los Angeles, working on promotional film campaigns for a number of Hollywood studios in addition to an upcoming docu-series produced by Netflix.

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

A: One weird thing about me is that I am endlessly committed to my art.

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

Instagram: @have.a.gr8.day

Portfolio: cargocollective.com/PaulJensen

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

A: I’d like to extend my deepest gratitudes to the The Bug Theatre and The Emerging Filmmakers Project, not just for showing my film but for a dedication to their platform for emerging and independent filmmakers alike.

IRA will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, September 15th, 2022 at The Bug Theatre.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Benjamin Hunter, “True North”

EFP: Why did you become a filmmaker?

BH: To tell great stories and to connect with people on life events that we can all relate to.  Movies are so engrained in our view of the world and its a great way to bring light to a life skill or experience that someone had.  The second answer is Star Wars got me interested in how to make my own special effects and led me to make my first film.  The rest as they say is history.


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

BH: True North is a Boy Scout Short film about a young man who is very sure of himself, until he gives away his compass, his map, his water pump and gets lost on a backpacking trip.  Its also a father and son relationship story and how to navigate being adopted and losing a parent.
The film has played at a local premiere back in March of this year and for a special screening at my boy scout troop.  I have submitted it to several festivals here in Colorado and a few abroad.  My plan is to have this available for rental and purchase on my website and to continue showing it to local boy scout troops to talk about the buddy system and getting lost in the mountains.  The moral of the story is tell someone where you are going and when you should be back, so they know when to call for help if you don’t come back in time.

EFP: What else are you working on?

BH: We just received the greenlight to make a documentary about the Yachats Music Festival in Oregon next year.  I will be the Producer on the project and my good friend Jake, who produced True North will be Directing.  That project should be finished by this time next year.
I am also finishing shooting and editing a documentary on Cerebral Palsy, featuring my youngest brother Joshua Hunter.  He lived with Cerebral Palsy his whole life and enjoyed life in spite of the disability, but sadly passed away in 2018.  The film is meant to be an uplifiting message to anyone with a disability, to show them there is hope and you can still live a great life.  Life Matters should be finished by next summer and hopefully will be playing on PBS shortly after that.


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

BH: Up to this point, all of my main characters have been in High School or College.  It might be time to have them “Graduate” and start telling stories about adult characters and their lives after school.


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

BH: They can visit my website here: https://www.33yearsproductions.com/ True North andLife Matters both have a page on the site with more information on the films.


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

BH: Its great to be able to show a piece of my work to a group of filmmakers trying to get off the ground just like me.  Denver is full of great indie filmmakers, you just have to look in the right places for them.  Emerging Filmmakers Project is a great way to get feedback on a film and the share it with others in the Denver Area.  Keep up the good work!

True North will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, September 15th, 2022 at The Bug Theatre.