Fudgie Freddie
In the final hour of a crowdfunding campaign, a struggling animator starts to transform into his most popular character: an ice cream cone named Fudgie Freddie.
Interview with Director Jon Salmon
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Fudgie Freddie is a proof-of-concept for a body horror called Ice Cream Man, which is the story of a man who sells his soul to an ice cream bar company and starts turning into a giant ice cream bar. It was written by my longtime 5 Second FIlms collaborator Brian Firenzi.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Whenever I've attended festivals, I always enjoy seeing a few things I could never see elsewhere. I think it appeals to fans of Brian and I's previous dark comedy work with 5 Second Films and the feature Dude Bro Party Massacre III. Plus the short itself is particularly geared toward creative people who know what it feels like to have their vision compromised. In this case, compromising your artistic convictions results in your entire body melting into a puddle of cream.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I think we all face little ethical dilemmas in our lives. We like to think we would be the first person to run into a burning building. But for most of us, life entails little moments of weakness that can add up over time, chipping away at our perceived values like a trickle destroying a dam. I've never met a human being who can commit fully to their convictions in every single moment of their lives. So we tried to make a short film about that feeling.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The feature film took about a year to develop after Brian Firenzi, the writer, sent me a first draft. The short went through about five vastly different iterations. We wound up doing the very simplest version of this, as I liked the directing challenge of creating tension with a man staring at a computer screen, and creating a convincing body horror effect without the budget for VFX or elaborate latex makeup.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
People really like it! Brian's mom found it sad. So did mine actually. But for fans of horror and comedy, the response has been really encouraging. Among creative people and filmmakers, it especially seems to strike a chord.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I think we wrote the film as a cautionary tale, so I was surprised at how sad and affected the audience is by the main character's meltdown. I think it's Brian, the actor and writer's charismatic performance that draws people in, plus Joey Scoma's tragicomic editing and Maxton Waller's heartbreaking score. Even though we know what the main character has done wrong, we still feel bad for him. It's always amazing watching audiences empathize with your main character, especially in a genre that famously dooms its victims.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We're so honored to be included in We Are Moving Stories. Honestly, you guys are so inspiring. Brian and I are both huge believers in the idea that the best stories are the untold ones from voices that have historically been silenced. There's a reason we're all tired of hearing the same stories from the privileged, and the kind of stories from new and diverse backgrounds that have emerged in the past few years makes me really excited for the future of movies.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We really need financing and distribution, but also just advice from those who have their pulse on the conditions of the industry. It's a volatile time - we are all hoping the strikes will result in a better working world for our writers and actors, but the industry largely remains on ice until the air clears. Here's hoping this answer is very dated soon, and independent cinema thrives again in whatever the distribution model.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope people leave the theater craving ice cream.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
If I had to write critical thinking homework for the viewer (which I don't really want to), it would be: How does the analogy of compromising your values and facing retaliation from a seemingly omnipotent force relate to our ongoing writer's strike?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
In addition to Ice Cream Man, I'm currently writing an indie feature for the 5 Second Films crew. Kind of a Waiting for Guffman for the TikTok era.
Interview: August 2023
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. 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
Fudgie Freddie
In the final hour of a crowdfunding campaign, a struggling animator starts to transform into his most popular character: an ice cream cone named Fudgie Freddie.
Length: 9:58
Director: Jon Salmon
Producer: Alexis Jacknow
Writer: Brian Firenzi
About the writer, director and producer:
JON SALMON is a Director/Cinematographer based out of Los Angeles. He's most well known for his work on MTV Push, Nickelodeon News, SET!, 5 Second Films, Dimension 404, Video Game High School, Rocketjump the Show, Dude Bro Party Massacre III, You Can Do Better on TruTV, the Primetime Emmy Awards and The Peabody Awards. He is currently fundraising for the feature-length version of Fudgie Freddie, Ice Cream Man.
BRIAN FIRENZI wrote Fudgie Freddie and played the lead role. He also wrote the body horror film Ice Cream Man for which Fudgie Freddie is a proof-of-concept. He is most well-known for founding and starring in 5 Second Films as well as playing The Law in Video Game High School.
ALEXIS JACKNOW is an LA-based filmmaker who recently completed her horror feature, Clock on Hulu. Her work has played at numerous festivals and been featured on Netflix and Hulu.
Key cast: Brian Firenzi
Looking for: sales agents, buyers, distributors
Instagram: @jonsalmon
Hashtags used: #horror #bodyhorror #millenial #crisis #icecream
Website: jonsalmon.net
Other: IMDb
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
CInequest Film and VR Festival, 8/19 @ 12 pm and 8/24 @ 9:15 pm