UCF Film Home

Five Stories: 2005

UCF Film is dedicated to strong narratives and engaging stories. That's why we call our annual DVD compilation FIVE STORIES. Films featured on this disc–chosen from the more than 100 projects completed each year by our students–not only showcase a maturity in the technical aspects of filmmaking but also a sophistication of storytelling we believe is among the best of the nation's film programs.

Five Stories is sent out each year to a wide range of local and national industry professionals. Industry members can request a copy by sending an e-mail that includes their professional affiliations. The disc also provides valuable exposure for our students as UCF FILM actively markets it to film festivals around the country.

All That Remains

Director, Writer: Aaron Brownlee
Producer: Christina Allica
Directors of Photography: Drew Suppa, Aaron Brownlee
Editors: Julien Diaz, Aaron Brownlee
Total Run Time: 10:00
Date of Completion: 6/2005

Synopsis

A dying father makes some unusual last requests.

From the Director

All That Remains is the ultimate misuse of the Make a Wish Foundation. In the original concept of the film, I wanted the story to be centered around two brothers fighting for their father's inheritance. I thought it was a funny concept to have tw brothers pitching to their father on a deathbed the reasons why each should receive all the money in the pot. From there, the story spun itself into this web of greed, jealousy, and infidelity.

Each character has a specific want that they are going after. For Phyllis Knickerbacker: it's money; she's been clinging to the marriage for the estate and the summer home in the Hamptons. For Hugo Knickerbacker: it's understanding; why is Elliot dad's favorite son? For Wesley Knickerbacker: it's revenge to those who have tried to hurt him, and reparations to those who have loved him. For Elliot Knickerbacker: it's nothing; he merely loves his father and has a special relationship with him.

I wanted to experiment with absurd language and situations while trying to create characters that possess the common-day hypocrisies and problems of any dysfunctional family. I also wanted to show that mortality does not always have to be bleak. In this case it's comical and irreverently vengeful. There's nothing I enjoy more than working with incredible actors. They bring ideas and wonder into my characters and allow me to see new ways of looking at the human condition.
Festivals, Screenings, and Awards
- Southern Fried Flicks Film Festival (Augusta, GA—2006) – Audience Choice Award (3rd Place)
- 2006 Delray Beach Film Festival
- 2006 Bare Bones International Independent Film Festival (Muskogee, OK)
- 2006 Rebel Planet Hollywood Film Festival—3rd Place for Comedy
- 8th Annual Cinerama Film Festival (Gainesville, FL—2006)
- 2006 Worldfest (Houston)—Bronze REMI Award for College Level Student Production
- Virginia Digital G.U.Y.S. Film Fest (2006)
- 2006 Cine-World Film Festival (Sarasota, FL)
- 2006 Orlando Film Festival
- 2007 Sacramento Film Festival

Losing Toby

Writer, Director: Drew Lindo
Producer: Cristina Allica
Editor: Julien Diaz
Assistant Director: Christy Rubenstein
Director of Photography: Scott Uhlfelder
Animator: Matt Watson
Composers: Phillib Chernyak and Phil Swasey
Total Run Time: 10:00
Date of Completion: 07/2005

Synopsis

Meet Toby, a pink panda bear available for download on your desktop. He’ll tell you jokes, he’ll tell you factoids, he’ll even make you fall in love. But for shy, sensitive, Steven, Toby will investigate a journey through the edge of sanity, to the brink of reality.

From the Director

The theme of intimacy is one I keep revisiting with almost every film I make, as I feel that everyone in some way or another is looking for it. In our lonely hero Steven’s case, intimacy is as vital as oxygen. Thus, it makes sense that the creature least likely to seduce, manipulate, and destroy him would be a pink panda with a soft cuddly voice. But then again, looks can be very deceiving.

The most important aspect in the making of this film was always in keeping the comedy grounded in the characters, so that the events that occur in the world created feel necessary and believable. There is a tendency to laugh off a comedy film as something trivial, as if only “real” films deal with real issues. Despite the fact that this film deals with a fragile man falling in love with a pink, animated panda on his computer, the story never pokes fun at itself, and the characters never wink at the fourth wall. My goal was to make a “real” film about relationships, dealing with fear, faith, intimacy, betrayal, rage, and forgiveness. It just happened to star an animated bear.

This is indeed the first film I have ever made that I have nothing to apologize for, as everything from performances, cinematography, animation, and tone materialized just how I had intended. For once, I have no excuses if the film doesn’t work, because everything on screen is my own artistic sensibilities manifested, with the help of an incredible cast and crew.

As for the rumor that this film is based on personal experience, well… No comment.
Festivals, Screenings, and Awards
- Griffon International Film Festival (2005)
- BendFilm Festival 2005 (Bend, OR)
- 2005 Brouhaha Film & Video Showcase
- Smogdance 2006 (Pomona, Ca) - Winner, Best Student Comedy
- Southern Fried Flicks Film Festival (Augusta, GA —2006)
- 2006 Delray Beach Film Festival
- 2006 COSMOS International Film and Video Game Festival
- 2006 Tartan Road International Student Film Festival (Boca Raton, FL)
- 2006 deadCENTER Film Festival (Oklahoma City)
- 2006 Flint Film Festival
- 8th Anuual Cinerama Film Festival (Gainesville, FL—2006)
- Eugene Film Festival
- 2006 Worldfest (Houston)—Bronze REMI Award for Comedy
- Sacramento Film & Music Festival (2006)
- Virginia Digital G.U.Y.S. Film Fest (2006)
- Tulsa Uncensored Film Festival (2006)
- 2006 Cine-World Film Festival (Sarasota, FL)

Love is Deaf

Director, Writer, Producer: Andrew Kenneth Gay
Producer: Ryan Pomeranz
Executive Producers: Angelyn Pratchios Gay, Andrea Booker Gay
Director of Photography: Alex Duggins
Primary Cast: John William Wright, Michelle Wargo
Total Run Time: 6:31
Date of Completion: 10/2005

Synopsis

Love is Deaf is an impossible love story about two broken hearts separated by language but brought together by their otherness.

From the Director

I first got into the ideas of French philosopher Jacques Derrida in the wake of September 11, 2001. In such a destructive world, his idea of deconstruction seemed to offer a hopeful way out. For Derrida, language poses both an impossible barrier and an invitation of boundless possibility to those who dare to tear it apart. It is in memorial of his recent passing that I offer this humble attempt at a post-modern deconstructionist romance, about a man and a woman bound and separated by language.
Festivals, Screenings, and Awards
- Official Selection, 2005 Paste Rock 'N' Reel Festival (World Premiere)
- Deep Ellum Film Festival (Official Selection; Dallas—2005)
- 2005 Brouhaha Film & Video Showcase
- Smogdance 2006 (Pomona, Ca) - Honorary Mention, Student Comedy
- Southern Fried Flicks Film Festival (Augusta, GA—2006)
- 2006 Florida Film Festival - Emerging Filmmakers Showcase (Maitland, FL)
- 2006 Delray Beach Film Festival
- 2006 Bare Bones International Independent Film Festival (Muskogee, OK)
- 2006 Tartan Road International Student Film Festival (Boca Raton, FL)
- 2006 Rebel Planet Hollywood Film Festival—2nd Place for "Short Short"
- 2006 Palm Beach International Film Festival (Student Showcase)
  - 2nd Place in the University Category
  - Student Showcase Grand Prize Winner
- 2006 Flint Film Festival
- 8th Anuual Cinerama Film Festival (Gainesville, FL—2006)
- Moviesauce Film Festival (2006)
- 2006 Gloria Film Festival (Salt Lake City, UT)—Best Student Film
- 2006 Long Island International Film Expo
- 2006 Flatland Film Festival
- 2006 Bay Street Film Festival (Thunder Bay, Ontario)
- Indie Memphis Film Festival (2006)
- Tulsa Uncensored Film Festival (2006)
- 2006 Cine-World Film Festival (Sarasota, FL)
- Platform Florida Art Party (Lakeland, FL—2007)
- All American Film Festival (Durham, NC—2007)

Mr. Malikai Battles The Aeroplane

Director, Writer, Editor: Drew Blatman
Producer: Miguel Lima
Director of Photography: John Rutland
Total Run Time: 10:30
Date of Completion: 07/2005

Synopsis

The quiet life of Mr. Malikai turns far too loud when an unexpected aeroplane won’t leave him alone

From the Director

My main goal with any film is to share a unique world that stems from my imagination. This film is a blend of personal quirks, whimsical moments, and a considerable amount of absurdity. I decided to shoot on Super 8 film that utilizes the empty space where the sound strip once was allowing for a wider image.

Finally, for those wondering, no stock footage was used in Mr. Malikai. All images in the film were shot specifically for this film.
Festivals, Screenings, and Awards
- Southern Fried Flicks Film Festival (Augusta, GA —2006)
- Lake County Film Festival (Libertyville, IL— 2006)
- 2006 Florida Film Festival (Maitland, FL)
- 2006 Delray Beach Film Festival
- Sarasota Film Festival (2006)
- Brooklyn Underground 2006 (New York, NY)
- 2006 Atlanta Film Festival—Best Student Film
- 2006 Worldfest (Houston)—Gold REMI Award for Comedy
- 2006 Tartan Road International Student Film Festival (Boca Raton, FL)—Winner "Most Original Film"
- 2006 deadCENTER Film Festival (Oklahoma City)
- 2006 Flint Film Festival
- 8th Annual Cinerama Film Festival (Gainesville, FL—2006)
- Moviesauce Film Festival (2006)
- 2006 Indie Film Jam at the Florida Music Festival—Winner "Best in Fest"
- 2006 Long Island International Film Expo
- Sao Paulo International Short Film Festival (2006)
- 8th Annual Seoul International Youth Film Festival (2006)—Grand Jury Prize
- Toofy Film Festival (2006)
- Tulsa Uncensored Film Festival (2006)
- 2006 Cine-World Film Festival (Sarasota, FL)
- 2006 Orlando Film Festival
- 2007 Antelope Valley International Film Festival
- 2007 Gwansu Gyo Film Festival (South Korea)

Tears In The Rain

Director, Writer, Editor: David Estrada
Producer: Miguel Lima
Director of Photography: John W. Rutland
Total Run Time: 16:30
Date of Completion: 10/2005

Synopsis

They have spent every moment of their lives together but have never looked into each other’s eyes.

From the Director

I did some research on human phenomenoms and I stumbled upon some articles on conjoined twins. I thought about how fascinating it would be to live every second of your life with another person and not know what it is to be completely alone. Imagine spending the most intimate and personal moments with someone by your side, yet you’ve never looked them in the eyes.

I wanted to make a subtle film about a relationship between two people who connect at a metaphysical level. I wanted to make a film that had blues, pinks, extreme close-ups, closed eyes, rain, silhouettes, silence, slight anticipation, whites, blacks, ambiguity, and magic.
Festivals, Screenings, and Awards
- 2006 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (World Premiere)
- Southern Fried Flicks Film Festival (Augusta, GA —2006) - Student Film Award (3rd Place)
- 2006 Delray Beach Film Festival
- Sarasota Film Festival (2006)
- 8th Anuual Cinerama Film Festival (Gainesville, FL—2006)
- Moviesauce Film Festival (2006)
- 2006 Worldfest (Houston)—Bronze REMI Award for College Level Student Production
- 8th Annual Seoul International Youth Film Festival (2006)
- Boulder Asian Film Festival (Colorado—2006)
- Port Townsend Film Festival (Washington—2006)
- 2006 Cine-World Film Festival (Sarasota, FL)
- 2007 Gwansu Gyo Film Festival (South Korea)