Independence days Four, three, two, one -- action. More than ever, Staten Islanders are expressing their fresh views, hopes and humor on celluloid and digital video. Since 2001, aspiring filmmakers have been forging a link in the indie film festival chain that connects Sundance, Utah; Telluride, Colo.; Toronto, Canada; and Hollywood, Ca. At the center of this low-budget, high-aspiration movement is the Independent Film Night hosted Wednesdays at 8 in the Muddy Cup Coffee House in Stapleton. "You would think there were only a few filmmakers in Staten Island, but when the indie night started three years ago, it really gave them a focus point where they could meet," said organizer/host Bill Woods of St. George. "It's definitely grown into a very unique animal. In the end, I'd like to point out that it's cool to be a dreamer." Dubbed "an incubator of coolness" by the New York Times, Woods' weekly screenings are an eclectic showcase for all genres, both shorts and features, ranging from serious dramas and documentaries to absurdist comedies. "One night we had a documentary about immigrants' experiences after 9/11, then ended with a comedy about a guy who had a freak accident that involved getting a girl's arm attached to him," said Woods, 35. "You don't know what to expect, and that's what I like about it" The Cup's indie night also offers filmmakers a chance to garner feedback from audiences and network with film festival programmers. Interested in joining the indie ranks? Email filmfestguy@aol.com or visit www.muddycup.com to find out how to get your work screened at the Muddy Cup. We sampled the existing talent pool for a series of mini-profiles. The following writers and directors represent the cross-section of individuals staking cinematic claims on Staten Island. BAD BEN FRANKLIN John Szeluga has a dark side. The 24-year-old Travis native specializes in the short, pitch-black comedies created by Bad Ben Franklin, the indie film group he co-founded with Chris Sorrentino of Great Kills while they attended CSI. One college project, "Girl-Arm," was screened at the Muddy Cup and won an award at CSI's Annual Film and Video Festival. "It was the first thing that we felt worthy of showing around," said Szeluga, who also works as a CSI video lab technician. Set in the 1950s, "Girl-Arm" is about a man who picks up a girl on the street, gets into an accident and wakes up to find her dead and his right arm missing. His option: Take her right arm. Bad Ben Franklin also produced the "Star Wars" parody "Chubbi-Wan Kenobi," which was featured in the Brooklyn Digifest at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. At the moment, the group -- which also features Bryan McGuckin of Port Richmond and Frank LaMonaca of Brooklyn -- is finishing a DVD compilation of its work. When it comes to making movies, Szeluga stressed, it's OK to ask for help. "Stick with it, definitely, but try to find other people out there that you can work with," said Szeluga. "It's something that's hard to do on your own." Visit www.badbenfranklin.com to sample work by Szeluga and his fellow Bad boys.
John Szeluga, 24, of Travis, is a member of the independent film collective Bad Ben Franklin. The company produced "Chubbi-Wan Kenobi," a parady on the seminal "Star Wars" series. [main page] [news] [media] [myspace] [bios/contact] [merch] [links] ©2008 A Dan Amongst Dans |
