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Meet the Filmmaker: Amanda E.K., “The First Date”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
AEK: I became a filmmaker to bring my written stories to life. I’ve been writing since I was a kid, but hadn’t considered other storytelling avenues until the pandemic opened up time and opportunity for me to explore new interests. Getting into filmmaking came as a bit of a surprise to me, but now I’m hooked!

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
AEK: I’ll be showing the 9th episode—The First Date—in my “Pandemic in Pollyville” short film series that chronicles off-beat stories from the pandemic in silent film style, featuring vintage Polly Pockets by Bluebird Toys. This episode follows Lauren from episode 6: “The Wedding” and episode 8: “The Divorce” into her post-married life of religious faith deconstruction and exploring her attraction to women. “The First Date” made semi-finalist at the Indie Short Fest for Best LGBTQ film and Best Web Series.

Q: What else are you working on?
AEK: I’m currently wrapping up the final 3 episodes of The Pandemic Pollyville, as well as directing, writing and acting in a short film based off one of my short stories, and additionally assisting on a horror short about Denver’s infamous Riverdale Road.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
AEK: The Pollyville actors come to life in their houses when no one’s looking. Sometimes I find leftover meals and dirty laundry that they didn’t clean up before freezing back into place.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
AEK: My website: AmandaEKwriter.com — where you can find anything from more info on my film & screenwriting projects, my queer erotica short story book, my other published writing, as well as my Creative Coaching & Reiki healing practice. Also find me on Instagram @amanda.ek.writer.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
AEK: The audience at EFP is the best! Always a fun and engaging experience!

The First Date will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, May 18th, 2023 at The Bug Theatre.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Charles Cash, “The Passionate Man to His Love”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
CC: because i like to create things like photos, films and food and share it with other people.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
CC: i am showing a short poem called, “a passionate man to his love.” i showed it at the february 2023 peak film forum in the springs

Q: What else are you working on?
CC: i am currently finishing up another short poem which has a memorial day theme

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
CC: i don’t own a camera other than my cellphone.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
CC: i am still working on uploading some of my work on youtube, but it’s not finished yet.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
CC: thanks. it’s a nice venue to show your work to the public.

The Passionate Man to His Love will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 at The Bug Theatre.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Maggie Hart, “Ghost Story: A Modern Fairy Tale”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
MH: I saw Jurassic Park when I was five and realized it was the only way to make dinosaurs real 🙂 Over the years, though, I’ve found stories to be a profound way to cultivate empathy and make the world a better place.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
MH: Ghost Story: A Modern Fairy Tale is a short film my producing partner Brittany Zampella and I released on YouTube during Covid. It was the first film we made after we formed our company, Farsighted Creative. We’ve actually never played to a live audience before, so we’re pretty darn excited.

Q: What else are you working on?
MH: I’m hard at work on a shooting script for a feature RomCom shooting in Vancouver in May/June. For Farsighted Creative (our production company), we just finished a documentary called A Good Neighbor about environmental justice in Commerce City. We’re also working on a big initiative to help Colorado filmmakers have more sustainable and eco-friendly sets – stay tuned!

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
MH: I suppose it’s because Jurassic Park was my inspiration for filmmaking, but I always put a Jurassic Park reference in my scripts. It’s probably the most obvious in Ghost Story out of all my films.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
MH: FarsightedCreative.com or @Farsighted.creative (IG) are the best places to find what our production company is up to next, or watch some of our past work. There are some more fun shorts on there!

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
MH: I’ve been coming to the Emerging Filmmakers Project FOREVER and I’m so thankful to show our work here. It’s a staple of the wonderful Colorado film community.

Ghost Story: A Modern Fairy Tale will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 at The Bug Theatre.

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Meet the Filmmaker: John Williams, “On Your Left”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
JW: To help me learn to cope with rejection…no honestly I’ve always loved working with cameras and am awed by the power of a good story to shake the norm out of you. After walking out of a good film, everything looks, feels and sounds different—it’s a complete reset.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
JW: “On your Left” The story of one man on a bike trying to correct disorderly pedestrian behavior. It was the audience choice at the Nederland Int’l Film Festival and the “Bike Shorts Film Fest” in Virginia. It also won awards at Longmont Public Media and at the Boulder Adventure Film Fest at Vision Quest Brewing

Q: What else are you working on?
JW: I’ve been chased by moose three times and am planning a short doc about these menacing stompers. I’ve a few other silly shorts I’m working on

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
JW: When we were filming “On Your Left”, we had three instances of bystanders trying to intervene during filming. Though the cameras, tripods and mics on booms should have made it obvious that it wasn’t real, these do gooders jumped into the fray. I’m still kicking myself for not letting the cameras run to catch it all.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
JW: They will have to contact me—john@fishmountain.net

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
JW: I love the EFP. My film GNUMS screened here last summer and I signed up to pour the beer and pop the corn at this monthly party. Tip generously!

On Your Left will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 at The Bug Theatre.

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Meet the Filmmakers: Shane Crosland and David Hungerford, “The Chieftain of the Pudding Race”

Shane Crosland (Director/Writer)
Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
SC: I became a filmmaker after starting out skateboarding with friends growing up. I absolutely loved the beauty of motion and what light could do to an image and shortly after starting falling in love with cinema. Through learnings and teachings, I was further able to seek more knowledge and more interest in the world entirely, driving me to write and create films based on first hand experience.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
SC: You will be seeing The Chieftain Of The Pudding Race, a short film following our lead Sunny who floats through different social circles of diverse travellers and affluent locals while acting as the vessel for social ideals and contradictions that are instigated upon him throughout his life growing up in a tourist town.

It has screened at other festivals including IndieX Festival, New Renaissance Film Festival London, Byron Bay International Film Festival, and many more.

Q: What else are you working on?
SC: Currently, I am working on branded content pieces to further create stories with forward thinking brands and companies and have just finished a second short film which will be active in festival circuits soon titled, ‘The M Word’. This film is essentially a monologue to camera from the perspective of a nihilistic bartender based on a handful of stories and experiences from myself, friends, and peers working in the hospitality industry.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
SC: I guess one weird thing is I think I’m the only person I know that can’t stand Bruce Springstein and I always catch heat for it.

As for my films, I like to play with the concept of ‘truth is stranger than fiction’, capturing reality while also giving it a surrealistic twist.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
SC: You can check out my website at shanecrosland.com or follow a production company I have helped build in Byron Bay, Australia called Byron Film at byronfilm.com.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
SC: I think this project is a great way for young and emerging filmmakers to really voice themselves. I think it is an excellent forward thinking idea that thrives on the essence of giving artists a chance and shows that anyone really has the ability to create pieces that are beautiful, raw, honest, and genuine.


David Hungerford (Writer)
Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
DH: The love of going to the movies as a viewer first and seeing the power of the moving image. If I had to pinpoint it, somewhere between seeing Minority Report and Waking Life.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
DH: You’re going to see a young man named Sunny live a wild cultural life in Australia with an experimental narrative form guiding the way.

It has screened in Colorado, LA, Austin, Portland, Australia, London and many, many other film festivals across the globe.

Q: What else are you working on?
DH: I am currently working as Executive Producer with Shane on a film he wrote and directed titled: The M Word, which is in post-production and due to premiere later this year.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
DH: This film, The Chieftain of the Pudding Race was filmed around the time of all of the Australian covid-19 laws and it halted the production at times.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
DH: Instagram is my usual place to post work: @davidhpictures. You can find my full portfolio at davidhpictures.com

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
DH: It’s one of the only places in Denver keeping the Colorado experimental and contemporary film culture alive.

The Chieftain Of The Pudding Race will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 at The Bug Theatre.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Roo Smith, “Ignite Your Spirit – A Disabled Ski Bum Story”

EFP: Why did you become a filmmaker?
RS: For me it’s always been about sharing uplifting stories of hope, joy and adventure and interacting with interesting people in compelling places. As a documentary filmmaker I’ve found myself in a wide range of environments, from professional recording studios in Canada to untouched beaches in Morocco but it always back to finding the positivity in the world and attempting to document it for others to experience.

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

RS: Kevin Wilson, 31 years after a paralyzing car crash, is now living his dream as a ski bum despite a long and difficult path to get to where he is now. After his car wreck, he struggled with mental health, alcoholism and obesity but wanted to make a positive change in his life – so he started skiing again. Now, he’s sharing his love of the mountains with others by running a non-profit dedicated to providing winter sport opportunities for individuals affected by a disability.

It’s screened at Boulder International Film Festival, Kendal Mountain Film festival, Sheffield Adventure Film Festival, London Mountain Film Festival, Lookout Wild Film Festival, Backcountry Film Festival, Nederland Film Festival, and at the Patagonia store in Boulder.

EFP: What else are you working on?

RS: I have another short documentary film coming out in a few weeks about Ryan Kinder, a Nashville based musician who attempted to balance his physical training for the Ironman World Championship with recording his second full length country rock album. On top of that I have a couple other ski films that should be released later this spring as well.

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

RS: In every one of my films I always break at least one traditional camera operating rule – whether that be changing the shutter speed or intentionally putting snow over the lens, there’s at least one shot that doesn’t follow the rules.

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

RS: I release a monthly newsletter that people could sign up for on my website that shares more about who I am and what I do:

https://roosmith.com/

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

RS: I’m stoked to be able to share my work alongside other filmmakers in the area. The Colorado film community is super welcoming and fun to be a part of so I always enjoy getting connected to more local creatives here!

Ignite Your Spirit – A Disabled Ski Bum Story will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, January 19th, 2023 at The Bug Theatre.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Eric Schlelein, “Tuesday, 1230pm”

EFP: Why did you become a filmmaker?
ES: It’s something I’ve always had a very keen interest in. I love to create and tell stories, and film is such an interesting and creative medium for storytelling.

EFP: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
ES: This is a first time swing at the world of filmmaking. During this process I learned a ton about filmmaking and am anxious to put what I’ve learned to use on the next project. I’ve shown it to a couple of family and friends, but nothing on this scope. Right now, there are no plans for it, but to use it as a jumping-off point for the next… and the next… and the next… 

EFP: What else are you working on?
ES: I’ve always got irons in the fire. I’ve got several screenplays and novels written (nothing published), and I would love to network and collaborate with other filmmakers to see these things come to life!

EFP: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
ES: Weird? I don’t know. I think the whole process of pulling images out of your brain and connecting them into a story is a pretty weird thing. I think my eclectic taste in stories has greatly informed my (sometimes) unique approach to storytelling.

EFP: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
ES: Social Media is the worst thing to happen to humanity, full stop. I’m happy to talk to people, but I prefer email or face-to-face greetings. 

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

ES: I’ve been to a few events, and I think this kind of thing is nothing but good. Cheers to the organizers who keep this important work going!

Tuesday, 1230pm will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, March 16th, 2023 at The Bug Theatre.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Shannon Umetani, “One Fine Day”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
SU: I technically became a filmmaker awhile ago when I was in film school. Although I’ve worked in production ever since, I haven’t actually made anything of my own since school really. In the past year, Group Project was created by my sisters (Keiko Ozaki and Margaret Ozaki Graves) and me to work more on passion projects. My sisters inspire me with their incredible talents and we simply have fun creating together purely for the sake of creating.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
SU: “One Fine Day” is part opera music video, part anti-Asian hate PSA. It features the vocal talents of Margaret Ozaki Graves and was filmed at The Bug. It has not screened anywhere yet, so we’re excited to share it on the big screen. Our plans are to rack up more views on YouTube.

Q: What else are you working on?
SU: Aside from our day jobs, we aren’t currently in production on any other films at the moment, but we’re always talking about the next thing – another opera music video, an update to a documentary I made about Tibetan refugees in 2004, a narrative about how our interracial parents met or maybe even a podcast where we chat and commiserate about all being creatives.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
SU: Keiko spent over $150 on live butterflies, which completely blew the prop budget and necessitated an end-of-the film disclaimer. It was totally worth it though.

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

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
SU: Thank you very much for providing an outlet to screen our film. It’s never too late to re-emerge as a filmmaker.

One Fine Day will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, January 19th, 2023 at The Bug Theatre.

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Meet the Filmmakers: Tyler Borkowski and Trae Beneck, “Family Heirloom”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
T&T: We love film because there’s beauty in every aspect of creating stories, from the big scripted moments on-screen to the quiet moments behind the camera. It feels amazing to bring a team together to tell a story, and see how those voices come together.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
T&T: The film you’re about to see is called “Family Heirloom,” which is a short film that follows a family heirloom vase that acts as a silent observer to three generations of family trauma. The film exclusively centers itself on the vase and its immediate environment, and the audience eavesdrops on quiet moments that occur out-of-focus or outside the frame as we watch how these affect the family tree.

This film will be premiering for the first time at EFP! We’ve submitted it to a handful of other film festivals across the country and are hoping for it to be seen by as many people as possible because we believe its message is a very important one.

Q: What else are you working on?
T&T: Tyler Borkowski and Trae Beneck co-own a film production company based here in Denver called Wasteland of Wonder. WoW works with a wide array of clients on commercials, narrative shorts, documentaries, and brand development. The goal is to use the funds generated by the business to pursue passion projects and develop their portfolios so they can one day produce narrative film at the highest level.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
T&T: We’re a bunch of sellouts, and this our only passion project this year in a sea of corporate content. We justify it by telling ourselves that we’ll use the money from the commercials to fund the passion projects, but the truth of the matter is we really like money. Damn the corporate machine! Down with the man!

By the way, if you’re looking to hire us for your company’s advertising needs, please email us at wastelandofwonder@gmail.com! Long live capitalism!

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
T&T: www.wastelandofwonder.com is our production company’s website. It’s got our entire portfolio on it along with all of our contact info and socials!

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
T&T: EFP is so important for filmmakers in the Denver area because it can be such a disparagingly difficult place to gain experience. There’s a lot of commercial and reality TV work in Denver but as far as narrative work is concerned it’s a very limited market. EFP allows people making narrative-driven film a place to showcase their work and have it shared with other like-minded creatives in a fun and safe environment.

Family Heirloom will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, January 19th, 2023 at The Bug Theatre.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Cody Pape, “False Ego”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
CP: I am not sure I can call myself one yet but am working towards it everyday. I think about movies from when I wake up to when I fall asleep. I have become quite the cinephile over the last 10-12 years meaning with all the movies I have seen in that time, I believe there are still stories or versions of previously told stories that have not been told. My ultimate goal is to be able to make films fulltime in order to leave my current day job since I’ve been reacting to intolerance at the office negatively.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
CP: What you are going to see with “False Ego” is my first attempt at filming anything. I worked on a full length feature screenplay 3-4 years ago but never got close to finishing a first draft. During the pandemic, itching to get some sort of sense of accomplishment which was not happening bumping my head against the blank page, I decided to take a finished scene from said screenplay which I could produce myself with what I had at my disposal. The end of 2021, I put myself through my own film school and tried to teach myself the basics of each department within a production. After 2-3 months of locking the shooting script, shot listing, teaching myself about sound and how the hell to light a scene (which I may never know how), I casted two of my best friends as the leads and directed the scene in March of 2022. I then spent a month or two teaching myself post with the help of final cut tutorials on youtube. It should be noted that the scene is roughly 10-15 minutes into an unfinished screenplay. The False Ego short was purely a brief introduction into what all departments do for a film production and helped me figure out which one of the departments I might want to grab ahold of in the foreseeable future.

Q: What else are you working on?
CP: I am currently working on finishing a short screenplay about the current dating world for millenials. I hope to lock the script in early 2023 and direct it in the same year with the help of people I meet at the EFP!

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
CP: I couldn’t give you one specific thing. I think my existence and everything I do is weird. Ask one of my friends in attendance they could give you a better answer.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
CP: Nowhere yet! The False Ego is on youtube but it is still currently the only thing I have done. You can find me on instagram at c_pape19 or on twitter @cpape507 .

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
CP: I whole heartily appreciate what the EFP does every month. I have already met a couple people at the EFP that I wouldn’t have met any other way. I think I have the drive and knowledge to make great films. The one thing I learned from the False Ego process was that I can not do it alone. I am hoping the EFP can help me make the connections I need (specifically a very talented DP) to take my vision and ideas to the next level.

False Ego will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, January 19th, 2023 at The Bug Theatre.