Experiencing Interruptions?

Among the Stars

Robert, an innocent young man, barely evades a figure who is ruthlessly hunting him. His plight hasn’t gone unnoticed by supernatural beings Michael and Magnus who are both fighting to either save or doom Robert’s soul. Robert seeks help from his friend Felicia as they are caught in the cross hairs of a timeless battle between good and evil.

Robert and Felicia are enjoying a quiet night together when they are abruptly interrupted by a figure who is called upon by Magnus to deliver them to his master. Robert and Felicia aren’t the only ones in danger. Michael has been lured into Magnus's trap in his effort to save them. The fates of both mortal and supernatural hang in the balance on Earth and among the stars.

  • Jack VanderToll
    Director
    The Fawn
  • Jack VanderToll
    Writer
    The Fawn; Over the River
  • Michelle Elise Harding
    Producer
    Spark; Black Horse Alley; Y2K; Boot Camp; Show Crush
  • Jack VanderToll
    Producer
    The Fawn; Over the River; Saruen
  • Russell Shealy
    Key Cast
    Americana; Phenobarbital
  • Christian Brunetti
    Key Cast
    House of Cards; Another Tango; Army Wives; What Would You Do
  • Ethan Williams
    Key Cast
    Point Man; Life of the Party; The Offender
  • Pier Boulogne-Glavin
    Key Cast
  • Stephen Royal Phillips
    Key Cast
    Underground; Sleepy Hollow; Good Behavior
  • Michelle Elise Harding
    Director of Photography
    Black Horse Alley, Y2K, Spark, Cash Only, Boot Camp, Show Crush
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Supernatural
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 26, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    2,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Jack VanderToll

Jack VanderToll is an Emmy Award winning director from Louisville, Kentucky. At an early age, he took an interest in movies and storytelling. VanderToll continued following those passions in college when he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Xavier University in 2014.

His screenwriting and directorial debut was a short film titled The Fawn, which earned a Student Production Award for “Best Director” by the Ohio Valley chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in 2015.

VanderToll also co-wrote and starred in Over The River, which earned “First Place” in the Broadcast Education Association 2015 Festival of Media Arts in Las Vegas.

He traveled abroad to Siem Reap, Cambodia in the summer of 2014, working as a cinematographer on the short film Saruen, sponsored through Actuality Media.

VanderToll currently works in broadcast news. His first position was a media specialist for the NBC affiliate WAVE-3 News in Louisville, Kentucky. His experiences included coverage from the University of Louisville athletics to the Kentucky Derby.

He currently works and resides in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina as a television producer for the NBC affiliate, WMBF News.

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Director Statement

The genesis for this film very much came from the title itself. A vast night sky provides not only a handsome view, but also the opportunity to wonder.

As a storyteller, questions like “where we belong in the world?”, “what is our purpose?”, and “could there be someone out there watching over us?” are all interesting story themes, but they’re also elements of a personal journey.

"Among the Stars" was written resembling a kid looking for his heroes, and finding solace in his story through the characters because they too hold the same hopes and dreams.

This film would not have been possible without the goodwill of others, despite numerous challenges and trying conditions. Through long nights, extreme heat, rain delays, and location trials, a story was still told. I couldn’t be more appreciative of my cast and crew who chose to follow this story with me. It was an adventure that I will always cherish.

I hope those who see the film are able to come away with just as positive of an experience. Films are meant to entertain us, but they can also leave us with thoughts long after we leave the theater and return to the world. And perhaps after they see "Among the Stars", audiences can reflect the next time they look up to a starry night sky, think, and echo what the hero Michael whispers: “there’s a place for them up there.”