Phoenix
A woman's father is murdered by a bandit. She decides to pursue the killer and seek vengeance...
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Jonathan FountainDirector
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Jonathan FountainWriter
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Sarahbeth MoranProducer
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Lisa BerryKey Cast
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Timothy WhitmerKey Cast
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Charles GrovesKey Cast
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Project Type:Short, Student, Other
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Runtime:3 minutes 7 seconds
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Completion Date:February 13, 2016
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Production Budget:100 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:Yes
As a young child, I had the insatiable habit of watching a movie, rewinding it, and watching it over again. Disney’s 101 Dalmatians was probably viewed over a hundred times. I had a love for movies at a young age, and I still occasionally re-watch films that have had a profound effect on me. The moment I knew film was for me, I was nine, and I watched the double cassette VHS tape of Mel Gibson’s Braveheart. Of course, part of the appeal was that my parents had forbid me to watch it because of the R-rating. One early morning, I watched it alone and was moved deeply by its themes of freedom, love, and death. It was at that moment, that I knew deep down that I would like to make someone else feel that way.
I didn’t realize at the time, that becoming a filmmaker was a lofty goal in the humble mountains of Dahlonega, Georgia. Growing up in Georgia, until recently, has proved to be a difficult place to not only make films, but also to experience a community that appreciates art in general. Most of the public schools in the southeast largely support sports programs financially before other extracurriculars. The music, art, and theater departments in several north Georgia schools struggled to have enough money to keep their programs afloat. Film’s digital conversion was still in a transitional phase while I was in elementary school, so public school film programs/clubs were rare. I figured until I could participate in film productions, I would hone my skills in theater and music. It wasn’t until my junior year in high school that a local film entrepreneur started a film club at my school. He sponsored several short films and supported me in writing and directing my first film, a thirty minute short called “Stranded”.
Currently, I am finishing a degree in Film and Media Production at the University of North Georgia, with the hope to ultimately become a 1st Assistant Director. Once I’ve learned the process inside and out from the industry’s perspective, I will reevaluate my goals and possibly pursue directing my own feature
Movies should move people. Like my childhood experience watching Braveheart, I wish to replicate that magic and inspire viewers. I believe the director is responsible for identifying not only where the story is going to go, but how it’s going to get there. They are responsible for the ultimate and hopefully subtle form of emotional manipulation.
The most important trait in a director should be the ability to adapt. Whether it’s adjusting to the loss of locations/actors or accepting a change in the vision, a director’s adaptation will be tested. Audiences’ desires change over time, so a director must be willing to meet them halfway. It’s all a personal exchange. The production of a film itself is a large scale personal exchange. It’s not only a cooperative art form, watching a movie is a cooperative experience.
Often times, a director is given too much credit and overly praised. A movie is the culmination of the skill and talent of many great directors, each guiding their teams of artists to make millions of photos come to life. I realized many years after watching Braveheart, that I alone could never be the one to move someone with a movie, but I could be part of the team that did.