Cupid

Groundbreaker: Trinni Franke, The Australian Film, Television & Radio School, Toronto, Canada

Throughout time Cupid has ignited the spark of desire in countless men and women. One evening, in an attempt to help the hapless Roman, Cupid is struck by his own weapon and unwittingly finds himself in pursuit of the same woman – the beautiful singer Lauren.

Over 50 cast and crew poured their energy and passion into the production of “Cupid”, which was shot in seven days both on location and a custom built set in the new AFTRS studios at the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park. Soon after wrap, post-production began, and what followed was a roller coaster ride of edits, screenings, vfx deadlines and orchestral records.

However it all came together in the end, and the filmmakers would like to give a very grateful thank you to everybody that made this film possible. We heart you all.

Trinni Franke – Director & Co-Writer

Trinni is a filmmaker, writer and media producer who aims to reach people with stories from the heart. Currently working as a social media specialist in Toronto, she still finds the time to develop a feature screenplay and befriend neighborhood racoons on her roof-top deck.Trinnie complete her Masters in Producing at The Australian Film Television and Radio School in 2008.

Cupid Credits. Click to expand »

Family Pieces

Groundbreaker: Ryan Close, Cal State Northridge, Northridge, CA

A drama set and shot in Bozeman, Montana in the 1930’s at the tail end of the Depression… A young mother, too young to care for anyone but herself, abandons her eight-year-old son, Ronnie, at an orphanage in Bozeman, Montana. Meanwhile, Warren Frame, the caretaker of the orphanage lives in sorrow as life passes him by. However, with the arrival of Ronnie a new hope is stirred within Warren… hope of a new family. But, in an unforeseen turn of events, the state takes Ronnie away, and Warren is left to be alone and wonder if Ronnie will ever return.

Ryan Close – Writer/Director

A Montana native who fell in love with the art of storytelling when he was nine years old after seeing Forrest Gump for the first time.

Ryan attended California Sate University Northridge (CSUN) where he recieved his Bachelors of Arts in Film Production. While obtaining a formal education at CSUN, Ryan also sought real life experience on the sets of music videos, commercials, and the films of his peers. Most notably, Ryan was chosen from amongst his graduating class to direct his Senior Thesis Project. The combination of being selected by his school, and his determination outside of the classroom, allowed him the opportunity to recieve the Panavision New Filmmaker Grant, a Hollywood Foreign Press Scholarship, and an Eastman Kodak Grant. All of which were used to fund the making of his film, Family Pieces.

Ryan currently resides in Los Angeles, but visits Montana frequently for some fly fishing.

Family Pieces Credits. Click to expand »

The Fighting Kind

Groundbreaker: Nils Taylor, Chapman University, L.A., CA

Devin has been estranged from his family for five year. He finally returns home in desperate need of financial help from his sister, his only living family member. During what is supposed to be a quick visit, he learns that his sister may need more help from him than he needs from her.

Nils Taylor – Director/Writer

Nils was born in Greenfield, MA, but was brought up both in the United States and Norway. Holding dual citizenship, he has traveled extensively back and forth his whole life. Nils began making films while in high school, he traveled and lived in numerous places throughout the world, writing and shooting films as he went along. He earned his BA in Film Studies from the University of Utah and recently his MFA in Film Production at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. His first film at Chapman entitled, “A Thin Line” has played at numerous film festivals throughout the world. Nils is currently teaching film production at an Orange County college while developing a feature screenplay.

The Fighting Kind Credits. Click to expand »

Kavi

Groundbreaker: Gregg Helvey, USC, L.A., CA

Did you know slavery still exists? There’s more slavery today than the entire 400 years of the transatlantic slave trade. Kavi is a boy in India who wants to play cricket and go to school, but instead he is forced to work in a brick kiln as a modern-day slave. Unsatisfied with his fate, Kavi must either accept what he’s always been told, or fight for a different life even if he’s unsure of the ultimate outcome.

Gregg Helvey – Writer/Director/Producer

Student Academy Award® Winner, Gregg Helvey, has traveled the world to film in countries such as El Salvador, China, Kenya and England on projects ranging from National Geographic and BBC1 documentaries to independent fictional films. As a filmmaker, Helvey seeks to combine his passion for social justice with powerful story telling.

Helvey wrote, directed and produced “Kavi,” the winning film of the 2009 Student Academy Award® gold medal in the narrative category. “Kavi” was filmed entirely on location in India and tells the story of a young boy who wants to play cricket and go to school, but instead he is forced to work in a brick kiln as a modern-day slave. Kavi must either accept what he’s always been told, or fight for a different life even if he’s unsure of the ultimate outcome. More information is available at www.KaviTheMovie.com

Helvey’s other award-winning work includes the documentary, “Overexposed,” which examines how pornography affects men. Dr. Drew, Adam Carolla and other cultural pundits comment on the issue as the cameras follow two men trying to navigate the rocky road of love, sex and intimacy in the age of virtual fantasies. More information is available at www.OverexposedTheMovie.com

Helvey received his M.F.A in film production from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, and his B.A.s in English and French from the University of Virginia.

Kavi Credits. Click to expand »

She’s a Fox

Groundbreaker: Cameron Sawyer, Chapman University, Orange County, CA

It’s 1987, and sixth grader, Cameron, wants desperately to make Talia his girlfriend, but three things stand in his way: Mitch Fallin, Jake Magnum, and a mullet.

Cameron Sawyer – Writer/Director/Actor

Cameron Sawyer grew up in Orem, Utah, a small city located at the base of Sundance ski resort. He received a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from Brigham Young University in 2002, and an MFA in Film Directing from Chapman University in 2009. Cameron is a writer, director, and actor. He has produced and performed in a number of short comedies, and is currently developing a feature-length high school comedy entitled, “Edmund, Stay away from Talia, or I’ll Break Your Legs.” Cameron currently lives in Los Angeles and is a member of the Screen Actor’s Guild.

She's a Fox Credits. Click to expand »