DOCUMENTARY OVERVIEW

 

Synopsis

For decades, the persistent exodus to Southern California of actors and filmmakers pursuing careers continues to hold strong. While tantalizing to many, this fickle dream of exciting work and notoriety many times uproots them from friends, family and stability, only to land them in a competitive arena of an estimated half a million entertainment professionals in Hollywood and surrounding areas. How many film careers were started by staying in Topeka, Kansas?... not many. Nonetheless, it's a bold move.

However, even as more and more television productions flee California state lines for areas with better tax incentives and cheaper labor, killing as much as half of its available revenue in less than ten years, Hollywood continues to aggressively draw people from all over the world who seek entertainment careers. Amidst its occupational changes through the years, does Hollywood still live up to the glamorous legend of creating successful careers for those with a plane ticket and a dream?

Hollywood is still, and may forever be, recognized as America’s hub for motion picture production, yielding a huge migration of entertainers, many who hope to hit it big. 1000 Miles To Hollywood asks the question "What does success amount to in this industry?" We'll take a look at both the people who have transplanted into L.A. and people who have endured in the small indie market elsewhere, highlighting the city of Seattle, as well as a few others. While greener pastures of the industry certainly exist outside the borders of most states, the underlying question remains...is it worth leaving it all behind?

 


Key subject IAN SCHUELKE (actor, writer) as he prepares to move to L.A. in June.


Project At A Glance

Film Format: Feature Length Documentary

Production Budget: $10,000

Production Schedule: 12 - 18 months including editing

Status: Filming

 

Mission & Filmmaker's Statement

"Arriving in Washington State from California in 2008, it instantly inspired me to see the amount of talent and hunger that so many filmmakers have in the area. We're a region of thoughtful, creative, left-of-center, right-brained people, with a notable history of art, music and innovation. There's a characteristic here that isn't found in any other part of the country and I was excited at the prospect of becoming at least a small part of its local, independent film community. But the more I worked here, the more apparent I became of its dashed potential. Unprofitable and sometimes impulsive short films and web series seemed to be the focus for too many producers and directors and the indie features that did spring up usually didn't allow for a typical production because of budget. Bigger movie productions would sometimes roll into Washington... and then right on through to Vancouver, Canada for cheaper production costs and better tax incentives. "Chronicle", "50/50", "The Confirmation", "88 Minutes", "50 Shades Of Grey", "Firewall", the "Twilight" Saga, "The Killing" television series and even "Battle In Seattle" are all set in the Evergreen State but shot elsewhere, mostly in Vancouver. I'd watch fellow filmmakers flock to other parts of the country for better opportunities while waiting here with the other hold-outs in grim hopes to see an upturn in legislative changes and production. I love this place - do I really need to move to have a fullfilling career?

Well I didn't move but more and more filmmakers and actors that I know did. I'd estimate since 2010 that well over a hundred who I have either met personally or worked with relocated. And while I've been able to eventually discover the resources and methods to make a living as a "film-type" professional in the Seattle area, I certainly can't blame those who needed to find their calling somewhere else. Are they more ambitious or am I just stubborn? Could be I'm just lazy. Either way, I've spent a lot of time in Southern California, both as a resident and visitor, and KNOW it's not the place for me. Call it a clash of personality types. So the idea of others in my field who decide to make the leap, brave the L.A. traffic and attempt to cut through the stereotypical Hollywood riff-raff is of great interest to me.

Now with the motion picture state tax incentive potentially going away indefinitely, the region may soon strip itself of any allure for movie production in the traditional sense, resting solely on its exquisite topography to motivate producers. Those who wanted to work in the industry may have to decide if it's worth the time anymore, making an honest separation of hobby vs career. While Seattle is a specific highlight of this documentary, it serves primarily as a case study for any city like it whose film creatives have to make difficult decisions on whether to succumb to the immense influence of the chomping "film bug" that summons them to California or to simply swat it away."


Chris Taylor
director





The Team


director & editor

Chris Taylor

A Florida native now living in Tacoma, WA, Chris began his career as a combat motion photographer shooting documentaries in the U.S. Marine Corps before making his bones as a filmmaker. Chris worked as a gaffer before becoming a full-time cinematographer and editor, photographing several award-winning shorts and features that screened all over the U.S. as well as Australia and Scotland. He also won Best Cinematography for his work on the short film Karma Gettin’.





producer

Clark Coffey

Clark began his career in the technology industry where he specialized in marketing and advertising. Wanting to pursue his life-long passion for film, he began his second career as an actor, but soon branched out to work as a director, producer, writer and editor. Since moving to Southern California over a decade ago, Clark’s work includes the upcoming horror feature Made Me Do It (Producer) and the documentary Camp Shimla (Producer, Director, Editor) which was used by the local hospital in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India to successfully secure significant funding for the expansion of their hospital.







   

Just a couple examples from past short docs "Illiya's Story" and "Thank You Veterans Golf Tournament"




Interview Subjects

• Ian Schuelke: An actor and writer recently located from Seattle to Los Angeles to expand his career
• Eric England: Writer and director of Contracted, originally from Arkansas, now working in Los Angeles
• Anisha Adusmilli: Television actress from Wyoming
• Tony Doupé: Prolific Seattle actor in Safety Not Guaranteed and Wild who's made a career in his home state
• Benjamin and Matt Koppin: Writing, producing and directing team from Indiana now living in Los Angeles
• Hamid Assian: Actor, martial artist and activist from Chicago now living in Los Angeles
• Ben Whitehair: Actor from Denver now working in film and television
• Jeffrey Dean: Actor from Seattle now working in film and television
• Trevor Algatt: Actor and podcaster from Pennsylvania
• Landon Ashworth: Comedian, actor, astrophysicist and former airline pilot
• Cadence Whittle: Actress and musician recently moved to Los Angeles from Seattle

 

Story Topics

While some of this documentary will continue to evolve over time, there are few definitive points we want to explore:

• What it takes for a filmmaker or actor to move to a new area that fosters their talents more and what separates them from those who choose not to move
• Just how much of an impact legislation has over a city/state and their ability to thrive as a film community
• The "hobbyist" mentality and how it helps or hinders a smaller film community's ability to establish or maintain an industry
• What sets Seattle apart from other film markets
• The "character" of Seattle crews and why we've transcended the "good 'ol boys" mentality that other areas notoriously have
• Why filmmaking has such appeal, even on a small/no budget level

Some of the subjects we hope to interview include:

• Filmmakers on their way to L.A.
• Filmmakers who have moved to L.A. and either have or haven't been able to establish themselves
• Filmmakers who have moved to L.A. and returned within five years time
• Filmmakers who've been able to succeed without relying on location
• Those who are truly passionate about film in their home state and remain there to help cultivate it
• Local film office representatives







Contact

If you'd like to speak with us about information regarding the film, interview or footage-gathering possibilities, please feel free to contact us. We're looking forward to hearing from you!

Chris Taylor
206.260.2077
chris@adventusfilms.net

 

 


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