Student Film -"Swing" Finally Hits the Internet

I've had the opportunity to be behind the camera for a handful of Student Films this year, and I am pleased to be posting, what I think, is one of my favorites. "Swing" was written and directed by my good friend Joshua McNew from class at the University of Missouri - St. Louis.

It's a short drama about a championship boxer faced with the painful reminder of his father's mental and physical abuse as a child. When his father returns after some time away, both of them must face their demons and accept the fact that fighting runs in their blood. Loosely based on the relationship between boxer, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his father, "Swing" takes an emotional look at how the priorities of a parent can sometimes overshadow the development of their child. The film stars Maurice Walters II (of "The Stakes") as the distant and abusive father and Topher Hall as the evasive, strong willed boxer.

I had a blast making this film over the course of 2 days this past October and did a marathon edit in just a few short hours to have it ready for a class screening the next day.

I hope you enjoy!
Feel free to leave you comments below... 

-P

"The Stakes" Gets It's International Film Fest Premiere

What a crazy year it has been for "The Stakes," a small independant shirt film that was able to cruise its way through two local film festivals and now on to the International scene. 

A year ago, if you had told me that I would be making a film that would be shown in an International Film Fest the following year, I would have laughed, but here we are.

It was another packed house for "The Stakes" and "Fatal Call," the feature film directed by "Stakes" originator, Jack Snyder. We were so lucky to have been paired up with Jack's film from the start and the two pieces definitely complimented one another and made for a HELL of a double feature!

The picture above is of our Script Supervisor, Stacy Singh, Executive Producer, Joshua McNew and myself on the "red carpet."

As we now start the process of making our next film, the fate of "The Stakes" lies in the hands of investors who will hopefully get this film to other festivals around the country and if we are lucky, maybe the world. Keep an eye out and an ear open for more news regarding the film and eventually its release online!

Thanks so much,

-P

"The Stakes" Premieres TONIGHT!!

Tonight is the NIGHT! (is the night).

After six loooong months in post-production, not to mention almost a year in conception,"The Stakes" (My FIRST major short film) will be seen for the first time ever TONIGHT!

I was told late last night that capacity is at 75%, so the walk up ticket sales should pretty much SOLD OUT before 7pm.

If you have not done so, please purchase you tickets in advance at:

SLFS "Fatal Call" - Thursday, July 12th 7PM

"The Stakes" will show before the Feature Presentation of Jack Snyder's "Fatal Call," a movie that I not only worked on, but also made the trailer for.

Make sure to get there EARLY for seats are LIMITED!

Here is the info:

THE STAKES / FATAL CALL
Thursday, July 12th The Tivoli Theatre
(6350 Delmar Blvd., University City, MO)
7pm, Tickets - $12

I hope to see you guys there!

-P

2 Days Until the Premiere of "The Stakes"

Last week, the University of Missouri - St. Louis released another article detailing the production of "The Stakes" and highlighting its premiere at The Tivoli Theatre in St. Louis this Thursday night.

The article interviews Producer, Joshua McNew and Writer, Jack Snyder about the inception of the film and how our team came about making it a reality.

"The film is the culmination of hard work by UMSL students and professionals, like Chris Benson, who owns the St. Louis-based production company Lamplight Films. He was the director of photography on the film and tasked with making it look like a high-quality movie."

You can read the full article HERE: Students pull out all stops to make ‘The Stakes’

-P

"The Stakes" will premiere on Thursday, July 12th!!

"The Stakes" has been officially selected to be a part of Cinema St. Louis' "2012 St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase" on July 7-12th at The Tivoli Theatre in University City, MO. It will premiere on Thursday, July 12th before the closing night feature film, "Fatal Call" directed by Jack Snyder!

This is a HUGE accomplishment for everyone involved, especially being that over 120 films were submitted and we were one of the few who were chosen! Here is some info about the Festival:

"The Whitaker St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase (SLFS), an annual presentation of the nonprofit Cinema St. Louis, serves as the area’s primary venue for films made by local artists. SLFS screens works that were written, directed, edited or produced by St. Louis natives or those with strong local ties. The 2012 Showcase programs will screen at the Tivoli from July 7-12. The programs range from full-length fiction features and documentaries to multi-film compilations of fiction and documentary shorts. Many programs include post-screening Q&As with filmmakers."

Showtimes and ticket sales will be announced shortly, so stay tuned and be prepared to get them fast!

For more info visit: Cinema St. Louis

Here's another look at "The Stakes," starring Joshua Thomas, Maurice Walters II, John Lewis, Keith Nussbaum and Aleh Neliubin.

-P