By the end of that same weekend, "Do Over" also received the Chris Caddell Filmmaker Award at the 2012 Flatland Film Festival in Lubbock, which is awarded to a regional film. This is our second award after winning Best Comedy at the Iowa Film Festival earlier this year. This is also the second short I've directed that has won an award at Flatland, following "Test Day" in 2005. Unfortunately, it's also the second time I've been unable to attend Flatland, which looks like a fest that expands year after year. The first time I missed it, I was living in LA; this time, I just couldn't be in two places at once. (I hope to attend in the future and hope audiences enjoyed "Do Over" as much as the judges apparently did.)
I've had films that I edited screen at Austin Film Festival but never something I directed. Honestly, it was a relief to finally be able to screen in one of the major festivals in Austin. It helps me to be viewed as not just an editor in this community but also as a writer and a director. The film played well both nights. On the second night at the Alamo Village there was one gentleman in the back of the theater who laughed loudly and heartily. Whatever joke set him off I was grateful that it did because his laugh alone filled the entire theater. If only I could plant him at every screening.
Since I had seen the feature at its first screening, I hung out with producer Lisa Rudin and director Eric Kissack during the second screening at the Alamo. Over beers we chatted about their festival run, which is winding down now as they've been on the circuit for a year and now have distribution, and I talked with Eric about making the transition from editing to directing. They were very generous with their time and open about discussing their journeys in the business. I appreciated the company as we waited for the Q and A.
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| Alamo Village Q and A. (l-r): Andrew Logan, David Fabelo, Garrett Jester, Lisa Rudin, Eric Kissack, AFF moderator |
Our second Q and A was much looser than the first. This was probably thanks to many factors such as beer; the theater conducting the Q and A's for both films together rather than one after the other; our lead actor Garrett Jester being up there with producer Andrew Logan and myself; and, of course, beer. Any time Garrett is available for a Q and A I always make sure to say something that either puts him on the spot or throws him off his game. It always results in a fun back and forth between the two of us, sometimes at his expense but I tell him, Hey - just trying to promote the film.
Speaking of which, Jette Kernion at Slackerwood was at the Alamo Village screening (she said because it was near her house and easy to get to). She came up to us after the screening and told us she really enjoyed "Do Over." If not for the fact we were programmed in front of a feature, I don't know if she would have seen it. It's hard to get press out of a shorts program. She mentioned us in this nicely written post.
"Do Over" had a number of screenings in October and November. Read more about its fall festival run here.
"Do Over" is probably nearing the end of its festival run, though we may have a few appearances in 2013. I hope to launch its online debut soon. It's a had a nice run. It's been very nicely received. I can't wait to make to the next one.
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| (l-r): Director David Fabelo, actor Garrett Jester, Producer Andrew Logan |
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