October 2013

Mirror, Mirror | www.paddywagonfilms.com

Patrick Sheridan is one of the busiest people in the Denver film scene, second only, perhaps, to Arthur “Never Sleeps” Martinez.  He’s the host of The Emerging Filmmakers Project.  He runs The Film Acting Academy of Denver.  He’s a highly sought-after screenwriting, acting and filmmaking teacher and a freelance writer juggling several big projects.  And yet, somehow, he still finds the time to make amazing films.

If you’re anything like me, you probably feel like you need a nap right now, just from reading all that.

Patrick is also one of my favorite people, so when I found out he was screening his latest film Mirror, Mirror at the October EFP I tracked him down – not easy, given his hectic schedule – for a quick interview.

EA: Why did you become a filmmaker?

PS: I come from a family of story tellers and have never really limited myself to one form of it. So naturally, I write songs, poetry, narrative fiction…. really whatever is the best way to convey something. I even worked as a journalist in Washington, D.C., for a few years. So writing has always been part of who I am.

I think visual media, when done properly, has the ability to combine many forms of story telling and I felt a need to explore those possibilities. Plus, I just love movies and I felt my stories were lending themselves to film. My short films feel more like short stories to me.

So like many people, I guess the real answer is I became a filmmaker because making films – or telling stories – is just part of my DNA.

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

PS: We’re going to see my latest short movie, “Mirror Mirror.” This will be the world premier of the movie.

The movie stars local actors Jami Haber and Matt Roszak. At it’s core, the movie is about the personal struggle many of us have between confidence and self-doubt in the way our own demons and doubts can keep us from truly doing what we want in life.

I’ve started submitting it to festivals and I plan to include it in an anthology of the short films I’ve made the last few years. This may be my last short film as my attention is turning back to making feature films (I have two scheduled to shoot in 2014).

EA: What else are you working on?

PS: I’m finally finishing up my first feature “Jimmy Said.” It’s been in post for a really long time! I’m working on feature scripts for two out-of-state producers and one script for a local director. I’ll be announcing a production schedule for a scary movie with an almost all kids cast soon and we’re in pre-production on a feature called “The Stalker.”

And I continue to teach film acting at the Film Acting academy of Denver.

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

PS: My movies tend to be dark, even the funny ones. I like a great twist, but only if it’s been earned. I like it when an audience goes back and realizes all the clues were there all along, you know? Most of my movies have some reference to Little Lady Explorers (though Mirror Mirror does not). Even though I always know what my movies are about, I’m a big believer in letting the audience take away whatever they want from it.

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

PS: We’re currently rebuilding my website. You can find links to some of my old stuff at www.paddywagonfilms.com, some of my newer stuff on vimeo: www.vimeo.com/paddywagonfilms and on my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.sheridan.75

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

PS: The Emerging Filmmakers Project is a pretty amazing event. It’s like a national film festival every month that focuses on local talent. I think it’s such an ingrained part of our film community that people often take it for granted. They shouldn’t. Very few festivals offer the same kind of viewing experience or opportunity for the filmmaker to interact with the audience like the EFP does.

EA: Thanks Patrick!  Do me a favor, k?  Don’t ever stop being so awesome.

Mirror, Mirror will screen October 17th at The Emerging Filmmakers Project.