Films I owe my beginnings in filmmaking to the Cinema Department at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in Illinois. Unlike larger "name" schools like UCLA, I was able to write, produce, cast, finance, direct, edit and promote short films right out of the gate as a undergraduate transfer student. There wasn't any of the "crewing" up of students or the "best" film idea wins mentality within the Film Production classes like at big name Universities. Most importantly, getting accepted into the SIUC Cinema Department didn't have all the red tape, hoops to jump through or impossible competition that the larger schools unfortunately have and for all of that, I will be forever grateful to SIUC. While studying film at SIUC (I gave up my Cinema/Film major after one year to focus primarily on my pursuit of a summer Hollywood internship and the eventual completion of my Theater major upon return to SIUC), I created two short films on 8mm and am very proud of my promising, yet meager, celluloid accomplishments. Highlighted below are both films and a short documentary I directed, produced, shot, edited (on video) and entered into Outfest 97, the premiere gay and lesbian film festival @ The Director's Guild in Hollywood. The three short "films" may not amount to much in the grand scheme of all things Hollywood, but to me, that isn't the point. What IS the point is that I had, on three seperate occasions, a distinct vision on what I wanted to create and had full and total control over the end result. In my mind, I created three short masterpieces. Whether I ever actually have another filmmaking opportunity and/or go to the great lengths it takes to make films again remains to be seen. If not, I will forever be happy for what I was able to create.
"A WOMAN'S TRIUMPH" My first Super 8 student film, it deals with the dual story of a woman (Mary) and her stalker. She is taking a self defense class, he is preparing for a night on the prowl. After the class, Mary bids farewell and jogs home. The stalker leaves his dwelling and searches for Mary. As she approaches, he hides behind a tree, jumping out at her when she gets close enough. She uses the self defense moves just learned in class on him and runs away. He gets up and chases after her. She comes upon a man on the path who tries to stop the stalker as she runs on. The stalker stabs him and continues after her. A tense chase continues ending when she arrives at her secured residence, locking him out. The shoot was a great experience. The cast were friends and the crew was me. I funded, wrote, produced, directed, shot and edited the short film. I have to give much thanks to the cast for helping out for free. They deserved far more and were a Godsend!!
"SUICIDAL DEPRESSION" My second film shot on Super 8 and done while a student in the Film Program at SIUC. Well received, I was nicknamed "The New Spielberg", an unexpected compliment to say the least. The short film was about a man (Tony) confined to a wheelchair. While watching a violent film on TV, he thinks back on his life leading up to getting hit by a car. He reminisces about playing basketball, exercising, enjoying walks with his girlfriend. Then, he reminisces on getting hit by the car that paralyzes him, on the troubles of getting around, and his girlfriend breaking up with him. This causes him to pull out a gun from under his bed and contemplate suicide. Before pulling the trigger, he thinks back on the news story of Kurt Cobain's death and the reading of his suicide note by Courtney Love. At the end of the note, Courtney cries out in frustration, "So Why didn't you just f***ing stay?" This sticks in Tony's mind and he changes his mind, putting the gun away. I funded, wrote, produced, directed, shot and edited the film. Thanks are in order to the two leads of the film who were an actual couple as well as students at SIUC. They were an amazing pair of actors, especially considering they had NO prior acting training. A big surprise for me was when I won Third place at the local "Little Muddy Film Festival". I'm just glad my film touched people in some way.
"CITIZEN CANDY ASS" I wrote, directed, produced, mostly shot and edited this documentary short "film" which focused on local LA drag personality "Candyass". "Myles Wells", my director name was a play on words and an homage to "Citizen Kane" by "Orson Welles". A glimpse into the life of "Candyass" from childhood to decadance, the short showcases footage from Rainbow Room, Roxy, Whisky a Go Go, Mickys, Velvet, and other locales in Hollywood. An official entrant in Outfest '97 (Hollywood Gay & Lesbian Film Festival), it was a success and garnered much attention.
home bio dj/vj events acting photography videography films resumes writings
COPYRIGHT 2007 - MYLESMATISSE.COM
Site powered by
|
