Spark Plug

The willfully neglected remains of a shattered relationship are tested when Emma has no choice but to ask for Oliver's help to fix her car.

  • Cole J Sheldon
    Director
    Capital Games - A 48 Hour Film
  • Cole J Sheldon
    Writer
    Capital Games - A 48 Hour Film, Strum
  • Cole J Sheldon
    Producer
    Capital Games - A 48 Hour Film, Strum
  • Terry Richard King
    Key Cast
    "Oliver"
    Spunsilk, September Rayne, Alive 2: Immoral Choices
  • Gabrielle Johnsen
    Key Cast
    "Emma"
    The Lost Angels Club, Capital Games: A 48 Hour Film
  • Goose Xavier Sheldon
    Key Cast
    "Comet"
  • Trigger Propson
    Key Cast
    "Buck"
  • Cole J Sheldon
    Cinematography
  • Jon Gollner
    Editor
    Posthumous, Moving Parts, Barney & Herb
  • Joey O'Conner
    Composer
    Capital Games - A 48 Hour Film, Strum
  • Daniel Janeshek
    Assistant Director
  • Max Jewer
    Supervising Sound Editor
    Captial Games - A 48 Hour Film
  • Riley Wadzinski
    First Assistant Camera
  • Ehren Fleschner
    Key Grip/Best Boy
  • Daniel Janeshek
    Script Supervisor
  • Brady Kuehl
    Transportation
  • Hannah Nicole Sheldon
    Transportation
  • Jacob Felsinger
    Transportation
  • Bailey Laird
    Behind the Scenes
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Coming of Age, Romance
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 16 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 8, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Super 35mm, Blackmagic
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Wisconsin Film Festival
    Madison, Wi
    United States
    April 7, 2024
    World Premiere
    Audience Choice Award Winner
  • MKE International Short Film Festival
    Milwaukee, WI
    United States
    September 7, 2024
    Milwaukee Premiere
    Winner - Best Script
  • Driftless Film Festival
    Mineral Point, WI
    United States
    November 1, 2024
    Winner - Best Cinematography
  • Brooklyn International Short Awards
    Brooklyn, New York
    United States
    July 29, 2024
    Winner - Best Short Film
  • Milwaukee Independent Film Awards
    Milwaukee, WI
    United States
    November 17, 2024
    Winner - Best Drama Film, Best Cinematography
  • The Basin Short Film Festival
    Stevens Point, WI
    United States
    October 10, 2024
    Winner - Independent Spirit Award
  • MLC Awards
    Green Bay, Wisconsin
    United States
    August 11, 2024
    Winner - Midwest Made Film
  • Pink Moose Film Festival
    Chicago, Illinois
    United States
    April 13, 2024
    Winner - Best Film
  • Lake County Film Festival
    Greyslake, Il
    United States
    November 1, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Montgomery Film Festival
    Montgomery, Alabama
    United States
    August 3, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Weyauwega International Film Festival
    Weyauwega, WI
    United States
    November 16, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Saugatuck Film Festival
    Saugatuck, MI
    United States
    September 14, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Madison Film Festival
    Madison, Wi
    United States
    August 24, 2024
    Nominee - Best Wisconsin Film
  • Cedar River Film Festival
    Cedar Falls, Iowa
    United States
    November 2, 2024
    Official Selection
  • NovaPaloma Independent Film Festival
    Bordeaux
    France
    November 20, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Brooklyn International Short Festival
    Brooklyn, New York
    United States
    August 4, 2024
    Semi-Finalist
  • Detroit Independent Film Festival
    Detroit, MI
    United States
    August 27, 2024
    Semi-Finalist
  • Door County Short Film Festival
    Fish Creek, Wi
    United States
    February 17, 2024
    Official Selection
  • SOGO Film Festival
    Stoughton, Wisconsin
    United States
    August 17, 2024
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Cole J Sheldon

Cole J Sheldon is an independent filmmaker from Sheboygan, WI. Since his youth, he has been heavily influenced by the films of Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Chris Columbus, and a host of storytellers who's films dominated the screen in the 1990's. He immerses himself in stories that explore the depths of emotion and what it means to be human, always trying to incorporate a hint of nostalgia in every film he creates.

He currently lives in Sheboygan with his wife Hannah, daughters Sophia and Isla, and movie star pup - Goose.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Spark Plug is an expression of all of the things left unsaid. It's a manifestation of the comebacks you think of in the shower the next morning, the redos you wish you had in an embarrassing exchange that doesn't seem to leave the back of your mind. It was born as a study of how two people can both be right, and also so wrong. And it is my interpretation of what it feels like to move past those feelings. To forgive and forget, and to allow yourself to be changed by the experience. It's a broken down car, newly fixed, riding off into the sunset. Never to be seen in that town again.

I took a lot of inspiration from the music of Noah Kahan, Tyler Childers, Donovan Woods, and other Americana and Folk artists. I tried to take the feelings of nostalgia, melancholy, regret, and appreciation for your home that they all convey in their music and evoke those feelings visually. The feeling of being isolated, trapped, is enhanced by the locations; a secluded farm and a seemingly never ending country road in the woods.