 "Photo: Courtesy Photo")
Four Aggies, seven days, 20 locations, and 2,200 miles.
That's the recipe for the Doorpost Film Project finalist film "Guest Room," which is competing against nine other films until Sept. 16, for $100,000.
The Doorpost Film Project is an online film festival "to encourage truth-seeking visionaries by honoring their creativity as filmmakers," that is in its second year with viewers from more than 180 countries.
From the plains of the Texas panhandle to the greenery of the Colorado Rock Mountains, "Guest Room," a One Spark Films production, takes audiences on a journey, inspiring hope like only Aggies can, said writer, director and co-producer Greg Kwedar, Class of 2008.
Austin-based One Spark Films was created less than a year ago by Kwedar and director of photography and editor Jake Hamilton, Class of 2008.
Out of the 400 filmmakers that submitted to the Doorpost Film Project, 100 were chosen in the first round and told to create a seven-minute film on one of five values: forgiveness, freedom, humility, joy and redemption. One Spark Films traveled to Guatemala City to create "La Pluma."
"We were in Guatemala filming a documentary last February and we used our day off to shoot a film about two young brothers living in the slums of Guatemala City who are challenged by their grandfather to find the most beautiful feather in all of Guatemala," Kwedar said. "As they chase each other through the city in search of the feather they learn that their childlike imagination is what sets them free, that they are not anchored by poverty."
The film landed them a top 10 finalist spot in the competition and $30,000 to create a 20-minute film about hope. One Spark Films shot "Guest Room," the story about a grown man who finds a young man beaten and passed out at a remote highway rest stop, and the journey they embark on together.
"At its core is a character-driven story that explores two men who are running from something, and when they meet under extraordinary circumstances, a series of events are set into motion that forces them to come to terms with their past," Kwedar said. "One of my favorite facets of its message is in the power of friendship... in friendship that can endure long after you part ways."
Actors Dusty Doering of "Sno Cone Inc." and Chris Doubek of "Friday Night Lights" play the lead roles.
Kwedar said his experiences at A&M had much to do with the concept of "Guest Room."
"I've been on two epic road trips with fellow Aggies: one in a little red Mazda around the South Island of New Zealand, and another in a giant red 1973 bus from Texas south to Guatemala," Kwedar said. "And the biggest thing I learned from those experiences is that traveling in close spaces across great distances accelerates the dynamics of a relationship. I feel that the Aggie Community was a huge inspiration for this film - this bond that we all share even without knowing each other."
Hamilton also attributed his success to the support he received at A&M.
"The place I found the greatest impact was working the Athletic Department's 12th Man Productions. There I was able to learn from professionals with state of the art equipment, any aspiring filmmakers dream," Hamilton said. "Something I am still thankful for 'til this day is that the ID Dept encouraged me to chase after my passions. So much so they asked me to create a video for the whole ETID department, which helped me in the journey of my career."
The success of One Spark Films makes a powerful statement about Aggies, said Public Relations Representative, Associate Producer and Ag Leadership and Development major Travis Helm.
"I feel that the film will speak to our student body by inspiring students to see that the Aggie Network itself has allowed these guys to be great filmmakers competing with some of the best in the nation," Helm said. "Most people wouldn't associate film making with Texas A&M off the top of their head and we hope to display the power behind our network, even without the specific degree of film making."
One Spark Films Music Supervisor Steve Miller, Class of 2007, managed the music for "Guest Room," which is scored by Austin-based band Balmorhea.
"Working with Balmorhea on this project was a dream for a thousand reasons. They had the same vision we did; they have scored for film previously and were the utmost professionals," Miller said. "They interpreted every vague musical idea we threw at them into a tear-jerking masterpiece in the span of a couple minutes."
Balmorhea frontman Michael Muller is also an Aggie.
The "Guest Room" soundtrack is now available on iTunes and Amazon music.
The "Guest Room" can be viewed and voted on at www.thedoorpost.com.
The grand prize winner will be determined by online voters and a panel of judges consisting of industry experts, and announced Sept. 16.
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