Mr. Baxter

A writer and her old English teacher, both equally set in their ideas, meet up for the first time in years and challenge each other to find themselves again.

​

A love letter to the Manhattan Film Institute.

  • Ella Janes
    Director
    The First 280 Honest Words of My Life, Code Red
  • Ella Janes
    Writer
    The First 280 Honest Words of My Life, Code Red
  • Stephanie Herlihy
    Key Cast
    "Adelaide"
  • Johnny Gamble
    Key Cast
    "Mr. Baxter"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Coming of Age
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 8 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 12, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    4,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Manhattan Film Institute
  • Sun Valley Film Festival
    Sun Valley, ID
    United States
    April 1, 2023
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Ella Janes

Ella Addison Janes knew she was going to be a director at seven years old when, in Los Angeles, California, she directed a parody mermaid film with her friends. Immediately after posting the parody to YouTube, Janes gained 2.8 million views. This attracted attention from Adolescent Content, with whom she would begin directing commercials for brands such as Crayola and Goldieblox.
In December of 2019 in Oklahoma City, Janes directed her first official directorial debut: CODE RED.
After premiering in 2020 at the deadCenter Film Festival, Janes began working on her next film, The First 280 Honest Words of My Life. After starting its festival tour, The First 280 Honest Words of My Life was accepted and awarded the Silver Medal at YoungArts and other awards such as the New Talent Award at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth and Best Experimental Film at the All American High School Film Festival.
Janes continues to work on projects soon to come out in 2023, including Cut Scenes From a Love Story, Happiness in the Palm of Her Hand, and The Derivative Outlook on Love from the Perspectives of Two Sixteen-Year-Olds.

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Director Statement

Feeling like you have lost your creativity is a well known side-effect for being an artist. With Mr. Baxter, I aimed to create that similar struggle and a simple solution: a mentor.
In this short film, I aimed to create the love and trust between a well connected teacher and student and the vulnerability that could come along with it. I wanted to examine the honesty between two characters and the beauty in the power of a single relationship.
I hope you find your own personal experience in this film and the inspiration to be more authentic.

Signed,
Ella Janes