Filmmaker Spotlight

Greater Philadelphia Student Film Festival

The Greater Philadelphia Student Film Festival

Film: The Boy's Guide to Becoming a Man
Genre: Comedy
Director: Colin George
University: Drexel University
Summary: A young boy discovers a dated self-help book in his school library and learns lessons in life and love from the mysterious ideal man.

From the director:
Blammo! It all started with an outdated how-to book, which was the direct inspiration for “The Boy’s Guide” and its chauvinistic caricature, the “Ideal Man.” This movie is a playful satire of how social roles have changed over the past half-century and the film puts a unique spin on the timeless coming-of-age motif.

“The Boy’s Guide” was an incredible collaborative creative effort. The crew supported, dissected, and improved upon the script through its many versions before taking their respective positions to see the project through to completion. While finishing each of our five days was anything but easy, it was always fun, and as many new friend and partnerships were fostered as there are names in the credits. The network of dedicated individuals who donated their time and talent to the project are responsible for its success.

Film: Odd Jobs
Genre: Comedy
Director: Dylan Steinberg
University: Drexel University
Summary: A woman suspects her wealthy husband is cheating on her with the help.  $2000 seemed a bit much for an odd job, but Johnny was willing to oblige.

From the director:
Odd Jobs is a look into the skewed world of contemporary marriage relationships.  As a comedy that speaks to our generation, and nana and grandpop's generation, it explores the fundamental issues of love, sex, and respect.

My name is Dylan, and I am an almost-graduate of Drexel University, with a Bachelors of Scientists in Studies in Media Arts and Design.

Many thanks to the great team behind this: Todd Shaeffer, Willy Alsadek, Adam Schoon, Brian Kirk, Mark Savage, Matthew Simpson, Melissa Menago, Chris Kissel, and Jonny "the wrench" Sorber.

Film: Night Shift
Genre: Drama
Director: Kevin Martin
University: Drexel University
Summary: A police officer in a marriage crisis encounters a drunken and confused man in the middle of the night.

From the director:
This is easily my favorite movie I've ever made for several reasons. The story comes straight out of real life, from a very unusual encounter my uncle had while doing his rounds one night in Palisades Park, New Jersey, the largest Korean district on the East Coast. It's an unusual coincidence, an example of parallel realities, how we judge others, and how other people judge us.

I think the film's greatest strength is in showing how similar two complete strangers can be despite huge differences, as well as those little moments in life that allow us to reanalyze ourselves objectively. I've wanted to make it for a long time, and it was through the efforts of my mom, my uncle, my professors, my cinematographer, and a very hard-working and dedicated crew that, in two very long summer nights in New Jersey, we made this thing happen.

Film: Conversations With My Aunt
Genre: Drama
Director: Aghigh Ebrahimi Bazaz
University: Temple University
Summary: Experimental documentary exploring the nature of familial relationships in Iran and across the Iranian diaspora.

My aunt, Parastoo, has not had a conversation with her son in nearly thirteen years, though they live just a few streets apart in Tehran.  She is estranged from the person she loves most on account of Iranian divorce laws, which grant men full custody, enabling my aunt’s ex-husband to deny her the right to have any contact with her son.

Furthermore, stringent social codes compel my aunt to store her struggles in silence, sometimes even pretending within Iranian society that she is still married. She shares her story only with my mother and I, over the phone, across the seas.

Once I learned Farsi well enough to understand, I resolved to help my aunt’s voice be heard. “Conversations with My Aunt” is my first attempt to do so, while also creatively grappling with the limitations and complications inherent in telling this story, such as my aunt’s request for anonymity and her ex-husband’s prohibitions.

Though it is a first step towards a larger and necessary project, it is important that “Conversations” be seen because in the dialogue exchange between viewers of the film and myself, we can – I hope – collectively guide the story forward into its next, more evolved, and more potent steps.

Film: Paging Dr. Smith
Genre: Comedy
Director: Chandler Simms
University: Drexel University
Summary: The humorous tale of the Devil posing as a physician in a hospital with the intentions of stealing souls. Will his patient Dan" catch on before it's too late?9"

From the director:
My inspiration/reason for making my film was basically for my own amusement and, if possible, the amusement others. My own entertainment was my chief priority. however.

I remember the moment I came up with the plot almost as clearly as my own birth. I was making a grilled cheese sandwich at two o’clock in the afternoon. My rippling pecs were quaked and shuttered for no apparent reason, and then suddenly I was struck with the idea of my doctor dressed up like the devil as a practical joke. From there, the very simple story evolved into a slightly less simple story.

The hardest part I’d say was finding a blasted location. Not because there weren’t many to choose from; but because I suffer from a “perpetual laziness disorder” which my therapist refuses to recognize as an actual disorder. Once I did however find the location the production was quite a breeze indeed.

I have to thank my fabulous cast and crew for making this film such an enjoyable experience. I had a great DP and make-up guy both whom brought a lot to the film. My actors were great to work with and I really am thankful for them deciding to take a chance on this movie. In the long term I hope to get into either commercial directing or television comedy writing. Hopefully I won’t end up a miserable failure.

Film: Meet Joe
Genre: Documentary
Producer: John Clements
University: Rowan University
Summary: Meet Joe tells the story of aspiring professional wrestler Joe Gacy and the obstacles he must overcome to chase his dream.

From the Producer:
The reason why I made “Meet Joe” is the same reason why I wanted to become a filmmaker: I want to tell stories in a way that other mediums can’t. I’ve been friends with Joe for years and I’ve always thought he had a fascinating story so when it came time to pitch an idea for a short-form documentary for one of my classes, Joe was the first person I approached.

While pre-production was fairly smooth, production was a little rough. Between working around the schedules of everyone on the crew as well as Joe’s schedule, setting up times to film at the wrestling school, and finding and solidifying a story arc, I had my hands full as a producer. Despite these mishaps, I wouldn’t have traded it for the world. Will I be doing this 10 years from now? I can only hope.

GPSFF information:

Founded in 2006, the Greater Philadelphia Student Film Festival unites the Philadelphia student film community in a forum to celebrate the films they have written, produced, or directed. GPSFF seeks to forge lasting connections between the city and its brightest up-and-coming talent as an investment in the future of Philadelphia filmmaking.

Join us on March 27th at 7 pm in Levitt Auditorium (401 S. Broad Street) for our Awards Ceremony to commend this new generation of filmmakers and their work. This year’s finalists represent 13 colleges and universities from around the region. The event will present the best films from each category – Comedy, Drama, Experimental, Documentary, and Animation – and feature free Qdoba and Honest Tea. Tickets are available for $10.00 at www.gpsff.com and $15.00 at the door.