Hollywood Dreamz - That's Opportunity Knocking
Two robbers. Three roommates. What could go right?
Interview with Writer/Director Charles Pelletier and Actor C. Stephen Foster
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
The comedy short started as true story told to writer/director Charles Pelletier by actor Thomas Anawalt. Thomas had been living in NYC and one night he and his roommate came home to make out to discover the apartment was in a mild state of disarray. They assumed the other roommate had decided to do some spring cleaning. They went to bed only to wake up the next morning to the place being robbed. Charles thought it hysterical that they were in the apartment hiding somewhere…Charles also wanted to use some of the fresh talent from the USC MFA acting program.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
It will make you laugh with its screwball comedy aspects. The dialogue and the characters move with lightning speed.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Well, there is the element of the 99% vs. 1%. The two poor thugs have to resort to robbing an apartment as a means of survival. The theme of relationships gone haywire.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script took about 2 or 3 months to write and we also had the use of a soundstage and got to rehearse the project like a play. We wanted the film to have a Marx Brothers feel to it. Like you were spying on these characters and their antics.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
17 film festival awards told us we had something "special". The feedback we've gotten is "The acting is top notch!" "The script and characters all create a sitcom feel!" "We want to see more!" It's all been very positive and encouraging.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It surprised us to win so many awards. Usually awards at film festivals go to heavy dramas or coming of age stories, but we noticed that people respond to comedy when it's convincing.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Exposure to more audience & more industry to help us develop more projects. In this new age of film and tv just having your film in festivals isn't enough, you must use your film as a calling card.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We could use more press interviews and would love a great shorts distributor. We are also trying to get the word out to producers who might be interested in developing more of our shorts and feature scripts.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We'd like it to enable more comedies to be accepted as short films instead of the typical dramas and coming of age stories. We'd like it to promote our brand of screwball comedy.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Is there a conspiracy by the 1% to keep the 99% down and out?
Would you like to add anything else?
"Never give up" on your dreams. There is room at the top!
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Charles Pelleter and Stephen Foster are working on several scripts (shorts and features) to shoot in the near future.
Interview: May 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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That's Opportunity Knocking
Two robbers. Three roommates. What could go right?
Length: 22 minutes
Director: Charles Pelletier
Producer: Cynthia Webster
Writer: Charles Pelletier
About the writer, director and producer:
Charles Pelletier (Director) has directed many works for the stage, and makes his film directing debut with “That’s Opportunity Knocking”. As a writer, he has inked several films and stage works, including the musical The Green Room. He has garnered such awards as finalist in the Hollywood Gateway Screenplay Contest, runner-up in the Find the Funny Screenplay Contest, and semi-finalist in the PAGE International Screenwriting Contest.
Key cast:
Thomas Anawalt - Tim
Satchel André - Rob
C. Stephen Foster - Wally
Charlotte Gulezian - Chelsea
Moronai Kanekoa - Merrit
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
producers, sales agents, distributors, journalists
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thatsopportunityknocking/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOKthemovie
Where can I see it in the next month?
In the next 2 months we are in Ft. Worth Indie Film Showcase, Hollywood Dreamz and Validate Yourself Film Festival