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Meet the Filmmaker: Elvis Leon, “Charlie’s: Episodes 1 & 2”

“Charlie’s: Episodes 1 & 2”

https://vimeo.com/beuproductions

elvisLivesQ: Why did you become a filmmaker?

EL: I never in my life thought that I would be a filmmaker. Surprisingly, it has always been in my life or at least in my living room. My parents love to watch films and ultimately their kids grew to love them. My dad used to tell me to get into the movie business when I was a kid, he never asked me to be a doctor or lawyer (wish he did!). I joined the military instead! Fast-forward 4 years, I got out of the military in 2008 and didn’t know what to do with my life until I discovered the Colorado Film School.

Making movies has given me an outlet and keeping busy is the way I have coped with civilian life after the military. I feel lucky to have found a passion that keeps me moving forward. And thankfully, I’ve been able to produce award-winning short films. Some days I don’t know why I’m in the independent movie industry and other days I’m curious to see if my dad was right. I really, really hope he’s right or I’m screwed.

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

EL: I’ll be screening, Charlie’s (an original series) – Episode 1 & 2. It’s a dramedy about a straight bar owner that attempts to turn his straight bar gay. We shot it at one of Colorado’s oldest gay bar, Charlie’s Denver. The story was co-wrote by my best friend, Bobby Kimble and I, two straight guys.

This project has been in the works for 3 years now! There were tons of help from actors and crew that worked for free. The project also had a successful crowd funding campaign that helped us finish in post-production, hire an entertainment lawyer, and send Charlie’s to festivals like you! We hope to pitch this concept to TV networks one day.

For the first time at EFP, I’ll be screening BOTH episodes of Charlie’s (an original series)!!! I’ve been fortunate to have screened Episode 2 at the Alamo Drafthouse in July 2015 and at the SIE FilmCenter in August 2015. I’m happy that I can finally set this project free, but Charlie’s still needs help from Denver. If interested, please reach out!

Q: What else are you working on?

EL: I’m wrapping up 2 projects in post-production! One’s a short doc about a two gay senior citizens that have been partners for over 40 years. One of the old men has dementia and is forgetting about his partner.

The other project is a dramatic short about a cleaning lady that gets some bad news about the state of her health. The rest of her day doesn’t get any better.

Both films have been in post-production for almost 2 years and they will finally be complete in the coming days!

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

EL: My favorite color is yellow, but I don’t own anything that’s yellow.

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

EL: https://twitter.com/be_u_films

https://vimeo.com/beuproductions

https://www.facebook.com/BeUProductions

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

EL: I’m sad to say, that I’m moving away from CO. The Emerging Filmmakers project will be something that I’ll truly miss. The Bug theatre is full of amazing and supportive human beings. I’ll continue to support you guys from afar and wish you the best. Keep putting Colorado films on the map.

“Charlie’s: Episodes 1 & 2” will be screening on August 20th at the Emerging Filmmaker’s Project.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Jeremiah Zentz, “Phil Collins Gets Shot”

“Phil Collins Gets Shot”

youtube.com/nationofstrangers

11845137_10156050694330045_5295365539889905101_oQ: Why did you become a filmmaker?

JZ: My sociology professor had an assignment requirement, to write an essay after going to one night of his weekly film series, the one I first went to I knew nothing about prior to the viewing, it was Eraserhead. I went to almost every film in his series and was considering a 6 week course in New York Film Academy during the summer. As a mover in college, I moved a filmmaker’s friend and told him my plans, he shook his head and said get a computer and a dv camcorder. I did, and landed an internship with atomfilms.com in 2000.

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

JZ: We are seeing a webisode submitted back when it first came out, it is episode 3 of a series called the Art of Acting Out. It’s been out for a while now, in fact we only recently released the final chapter, episode 8. Go watch it on YouTube now!

Q: What else are you working on?

JZ: I’m looking for some people to put together something fun for Halloween, I think it’s got a possibility to go viral so, come talk to me.

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

JZ: Just one? Just talk to me for more than 2 minutes, you’ll find several weird things.

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

JZ: youtube.com/nationofstrangers, facebook.com/coloradoentertainmentshowcase

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

JZ: This is my favorite place to screen! Thanks for doing this!

“Phil Collins Gets Shot” will screen on August 20th at the Emerging Filmmaker’s Project.