Awkward Press

Awkward Two is more than just a collection of 33 amazing microshort stories; it is also a unique experiment in instant adaptation. We asked five of our favorite independent filmmakers to create adaptations of stories from the book; the results are embedded in the iBooks version of Awkward Two and available for public consumption right now at films.awkwardpress.com. The movies will also soon be available on a special-edition DVD, only available through the Awkward Press Store.

So who are these incredible filmmakers? Let’s meet ‘em! We sent the same 7 questions to all the filmmakers. These are their answers.

Joel Maguen
When we first started the Awkward film project, Joel was one of the first filmmakers we approached. After reading through Awkward Two, he was immediately attracted to Wayne Scheer’s fantastic story Zen and the Art of House Painting. Within two weeks, he’d put together an excellent script, and we started assembling a crack cast and crew who were willing to work for the sheer experience of being involved in something great.

Unfortunately, the universe was not kind to the Zen production. One unexpected hurdle after another kept cropping up, forcing us to delay the shoot multiple times. It nearly became our Don Quixote. But to Joel’s credit, he managed to stay focused and determined no matter how many obstacles the universe tossed his way. And I’m glad he stuck with it: the end result is a wonderful, hilarious short film with which I’m extremely proud to be associated. Kudos to Joel and the cast and crew for pulling it off in spectacular fashion and giving us the final piece we needed to make this project a roaring success.

Also, with the completion of Zen, we are now able to press the DVDs that were included as a free bonus with web orders. So if you’ve been waiting patiently, your wait is almost at an end! We’ll get the discs in the mail by the end of the month. Thanks to everyone for their support and we can’t wait for you to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Now, let’s meet Joel!

The Interview Portion

Credits:
writer/director:
The Ladykiller
Hard Hat
Majestic And The Masked Man
House Painting

1 – Who are you, and why are you here?
My name is Joel Maguen. Due to a temporary existential crisis, I don’t know the answer to the second part of that question. (more…)

Awkward Two is more than just a collection of 33 amazing microshort stories; it is also a unique experiment in instant adaptation. We asked five of our favorite independent filmmakers to create adaptations of stories from the book; the results are embedded in the iBooks version of Awkward Two and available for public consumption right now at films.awkwardpress.com. The movies will also soon be available on a special-edition DVD, only available through the Awkward Press Store.

So who are these incredible filmmakers? Let’s meet ‘em! We sent the same 7 questions to all the filmmakers. These are their answers.

Tracy Dishman

A few years ago, my wife Sarah was involved in an interesting project called Sundown Schoolhouse, which was put together by LA artist/architect Fritz Haeg. The Schoolhouse was a 12-week long program in which 12 students met every Tuesday from 8am-8pm in Haeg’s geodesic dome house to learn about and practice a variety of art disciplines with well-known, mostly LA-based artists. The Schoolhouse was a pivotal experience in our early days in Los Angeles, and through it, we met a number of our close friends.

One of the other students in the class was Tracy Dishman, a set decorator and filmmaker. When the Awkward film project came up, Sarah immediately thought that Tracy might make a great addition to our roster of directors. Tracy did not disappoint, turning in a gorgeous and moving short piece based on Lynette D’Amico’s Inappropriate Gifts. Her wonderful film can be seen after the jump.

The Interview Portion

1 – Who are you, and why are you here?
Tracy K. Dishman, cause my mama & my papa were hot for each other.

2 – What are some projects you’ve worked on in the past that you’re particularly proud of?
Silverlake Pickup, The Runaways. (more…)

Awkward Two is more than just a collection of 33 amazing microshort stories; it is also a unique experiment in instant adaptation. We asked five of our favorite independent filmmakers to create adaptations of stories from the book; the results are embedded in the iBooks version of Awkward Two and available for public consumption right now at films.awkwardpress.com. The movies will also soon be available on a special-edition DVD, only available through the Awkward Press Store.

So who are these incredible filmmakers? Let’s meet ‘em! We sent the same 7 questions to all the filmmakers. These are their answers.

Brian Bartelt

I met Brian Bartlet at a dinner party about six months ago. We got to talking, and it turned out he was an accomplished filmmaker and creator of the popular web series The Gnooze. When I told him about the project we were working on, Brian leapt at the chance to put his unique creative spin on Nadja Stokes’ “Egg Salad 1967.” The lovely and intriguing result can be seen after the jump.

The Interview Portion

1 – Who are you, and why are you here?
I’m a guy from Iowa that probably should have gone into science or music, but decided to make movies instead. But movies are cool because you can cram music and science into the process of making them.

2 – What are some projects you’ve worked on in the past that you’re particularly proud of?
Oh gosh… A documentary that took me to Sierra Leone — twice, but sadly still isn’t finished because the producer needs funding. The Gnooze, my long-running web series. Breakin’ Down ‘Cory in the House’ which was a little DVD piece I worked on that came out really well. And my new project, which will be in the past someday. It’s about Vikings. (more…)