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Meet the Filmmaker: Johnny Yager, “The Alpha Book”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
JY: I became a filmmaker because I love film, I love writing stories and I only have one life to live, so what the hell? I also love the soap opera, “One Life to Live”. Just kidding, I’m a “Days” man.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
JY: You’re going to see, “The Alpha Book”. It’s a student film that my girlfriend Cindy and I put together in 2 days because I fudged the audio on my final project. The 2 days thing might seem like scapegoating, but I think that this probably turned out better than the other story. It’s a heck of a lot less convoluted. You can probably tell that we were fighting daylight at the end.

Q: What else are you working on?
JY: I’m working on a tv pilot called “Rock Fight”, a short Horror Film called “Javelin” and finals for directors workshop. I’m a writing and directing major at Colorado Film School.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
JY: I saw the film, “The Crying Game”, in the theater when I was really young, with my mom. She didn’t know what it was really about before we went. We’re finally ok with talking about it now.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
JY: On Vimeo. Just search Johnny Yager. I’ll have more stuff up as soon as it’s finished.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
JY: Thanks for doing this! It’s good to know that there is community for filmmaking in Denver. The atmosphere is a lot more fun and interactive than I expected. Not that I was expecting anything bland.

The Alpha Book will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, November 17th, 2022 at The Bug Theatre.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Mike Dunn, “Alienated”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
MD: I got inspired to make films when I watched Army of Darkness when I was 6 years old. I’d never seen anything like it, and it just jumpstarted a spark in me to want to get into film. From then I just found a love for telling cool stories with fun ideas.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
MD: The short film is called Alienated, and it’s about a young, lonely UFOlogist who’s whole life is dedicated to finding out the truth about if we are alone in the universe, much to the annoyance of his peers. His quest might finally lead him to an answer, but it might not be what he was hoping for…

It was screened in one film festival in Florida.

My plans for it next are to use it as a proof of concept for a feature film version.

Q: What else are you working on?
MD: Working on a few quick short films, and hopefully my first feature film titled Student Driver, as well as the feature for Alienated.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
MD: I can’t stop ripping off Sam Raimi

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
MD: Right now my other best short film is on the YouTube Channel CreepyTV, a fan film called Sam’s Gift.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
MD: It’s one of my favorite things in the Denver film scene! A wonderful place for filmmakers of all levels to share their work and meet new, and interesting people!

Alienated will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, November 17th, 2022 at The Bug Theatre.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Tyler Holme, “The Struggle”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
TH: I knew I had to become a filmmaker at a young age because math and science were way too hard.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
TH: The Struggle is an audio/visual feast based on a painfully true story. It is a tale of art imitating life and the battle between what is real and what isn’t, told in one enthralling long take, a la Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s modern masterpiece, Birdman. Yet it isn’t about any of that, while also being about everything.

This film is the most personal piece of work I have ever made.

Q: What else are you working on?
TH: I recently wrote a satirical humor book lampooning health & lifestyle culture and social media influencers called, Beet Life: A Health & Lifestyle Guide To Show Your Life Who’s Boss By: Your Girl @Beets_By_Beth: Beth Gethard.

You can buy a hardcopy here: https://booksbybeetsbybeth.com/

Or you can purchase an ebook here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WSHW9L9

Get one for yourself, a friend, a family member, or even your arch-nemesis!

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
TH: For this film, I was inspired by the works of innovative auteurs like Steven Soderbergh and Sean Baker to shoot the entire film exclusively on my smartphone. A Samsung Galaxy S9, to be exact. I wanted to capture the true raw cinematic grittiness of life in a way that only a cell phone can.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
TH: You can find more of my work here: https://www.tylerholme.com/.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
TH: just want to thank The Emerging Filmmakers Project for allowing me to screen my film alongside such great local filmmakers.

And, of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the 1991 Detroit Lions as well.

The Struggle will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, November 17th, 2022 at The Bug Theatre.

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Meet the Filmmakers: Susan Lyles & Darren Smith, “B.O.B.”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
A: We have worked in theatre most of our lives and wanted to explore a new medium for storytelling, and for us starting in film competitions has helped us to learn a lot about the art form really fast.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
A: B.O.B. a short we created for The London 48 Hour film project in 2021-we shot part of the script in Bristol, UK and the rest in Denver, and it screened at Genesis Cinema in London. It was shortly after Texas passed their new abortion law and added a $10,000 bounty via lawsuits to be collected by people reporting women and doctors and anyone who helped them. We knew if we drew the right genre this was a subject we wanted to tackle. We’ve submitted B.O.B into a few festivals and are waiting with “baited breath” to know if we have an opportunity to screen it elsewhere.

Q: What else are you working on?
A: Susan has a couple of short scripts in the works, and Darren is currently working on a feature with his writing partner Donald Rae set in Edinburgh, Scotland. We will have just completed The Four Points Film Project-this is a 72 hour piece over the November 11-14 weekend and finally we are looking into festival submissions for our recent Best Film Nominee Parks Perfect Poltergeists ( Our London 48 Hour film project for 2022) and our recent Edinburgh 48 hour film piece which won the Global Scot award-Echoes of Life

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
A: Weird thing…not weird but almost every film we shoot has one of our dogs pop in.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
A: Right now we only have a face book page Ruff Ruff Dog Films-need to get in gear and get that webpage set up https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=ruff%20ruff%20dog%20films

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
A: We are so excited to have the opportunity to screen our work for a bigger audience and love that you all create this space for film makers.

B.O.B. will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, November 17th, 2022 at The Bug Theatre.

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Meet the Filmmakers: Lindsay Morrison and Michael La Breche, “Divine Invasion”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
L&M: We love this form of storytelling & consider it one of the most potent forms of artistic expression. And it’s a blast to create.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
L&M: You will be seeing Divine Invasion, which was our Stuck at Home 48 hours film project, from the very beginning of the pandemic lock down. We posted it online directly after making it but have never screened it in front of an audience before, so this will be a lot of fun.

Q: What else are you working on?
L&M: Right now we are working on the final three episodes of our animated series, Let’s Get Weird. The first three episodes are already on our YouTube, and the final three are coming very soon! We’re also gearing up to shoot episode two of our live action series, Reliquary.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
L&M: It was very weird to star in our own film. We generally prefer to stay behind the camera, but it was a fun challenge.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
L&M: Follow us on Instagram @wolfluvfilms or check out our website www.wolfluvfilms.com

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
L&M: We are very grateful for EFP. It’s the first film community we found after moving to Denver and we are always thrilled to screen at the Bug!

Divine Invasion will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, October 20th, 2022 at The Bug Theatre.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Ricky Perry, “Take Center Stage”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
RP: I started just by creating dance videos as a choreographer. I want to evolve my work by adding a narrative that can be relatable to my audience.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
RP: When watching this film I hope what resonates with the audience is the vulnerability, and how the narrative is incorporated with the choreography. This is the first screening of this film so that is very exciting for me.

Q: What else are you working on?
RP: Right now I’m working on gathering the confidence to write my first fight scene. Fight scenes in any movie have always been interesting to me. How the character fighting style embolics their character traits is fascinating.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
RP: I need background noise to fall asleep.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
RP: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slkrick4/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb9ddy9kUWn11qmOgbVOVTA

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
RP: I’ve been to this event before as an audience member. It’s nice to be on the other side and get to show my work to people. I enjoyed it last time and I have no doubt I will again.

Take Center Stage will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, October 20th, 2022 at The Bug Theatre.

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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.

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Meet the Filmmaker: Kareem Kamahl Taylor, “Satan Says”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
KT: I grew up watching old black and white films and monster movies with my Mother. She instilled in me an early passion for filmmaking so by the age of 10 I already knew I wanted to make films.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
KT: The audience will be watching my latest short film production entitled, ‘Satan Says’. It introduces a character named Eric who comes from a magical bloodline that can interact with the spiritual realm and beyond. From the day he was born his best friend was Satan. Our story picks up 25 years later and Eric is reconsidering the closeness of their relationship.

Q: What else are you working on?
KT: I am developing this short film into a full graphic novel series. After the comic book adaption is complete we will go back into production and make a streaming series based on the adaption of the graphic novel series. I am also actively writing new feature-length film scripts that I want to produce and allow some of my fellow filmmakers to direct them.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
KT: I am unable to focus on a film set unless I have a pack of skittles to snack on.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
KT: Right now I can be found on Facebook, Vimeo, and instagram at Digital Darklords,LLC.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
KT: I would like to say thank you on behalf of every filmmaker who has screened a film at your festivals. I have seen so many awesome films because of your events and I wish you continued success!

Satan Says will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, July 21st, 2022 at The Bug Theatre.