Short Films

California Stories: Stevenson Fisk

During the Covid shutdown I was listening and collecting a lot of 1960’s-1970’s Library Music. I found something so fascinating about the men and women who made their living composing stock music. Out of that ooze came Stevenson Fisk (a homage most closely to Library Hero Alan Hawkshaw.) We presented it all as faux British public television profile called “California Stories” which is not confusing at all. Fisk’s ridiculous and eclectic career served as the vehicle to showcase my love of schlocky films, obscure soundtracks, and mid century graphic design. This was an attempt at as many production design/creative components as I could on my own.

Writer: Graham Wallace Director: Joslyn Jenson Makeup: Graham Wallace Original Soundtrack: Graham Wallace Sound: Marcos Castro Graphic Design: Graham Wallace DP/Editor: Adam Abada Featuring: Graham Wallace, Chantal Biancardi, Joslyn Jensen.

Some of the posters I made for Fisk’s various film soundtracks. Dream job. If anyone’s hiring to make posters for non-existent movies I am available.

The Possum

2019, coming off of the rush that was Downbeat, I wanted to explore more documentary format comedy, even if I hate the term “Mockumentary.” I didn’t want any mockery at all in this project. This was to be a loving slice-of-life film following around a sincere character with fascinating layers. If you watch enough Mockumentaries, you get the sense that the filmmaker must include some very broad, goofy jokes to remind the viewer “this isn’t real.” Ergo as an expirement I to prove whether that’s true. We shot this in August 2020 under extremely strict COVID protocols with the help of a highly skilled and creative cast and crew. It was an enlightening experience for me as merely a writer performer, to tackle he myriad hurdles one encounters to make a proper film. It was great to see the critical and festival reception was positive. I also gained 30 pounds to play Kenny. It had nothing to do with covid lockdown ennui. I did it on purpose. I swear.

Writer: Graham Wallace Director: Graham Wallace Producer: Francesca Smith Makeup: Sabrina Castro Original Soundtrack: Graham Wallace Graphic Design: Graham Wallace Sound: Marcos Castro DP: Kevin Horn Editor: Even Hinz

This song I recorded for the movie really sums my taste as a filmmaker. Something stupid…made so sincerely…that you take it seriously. At that point, is it still funny? Unclear.

Jasper

Around 2016 I had been writing and making short sketches with my friend Mitch Wells when he called me out of the blue with a proposition. He said “I rented really nice camera for a music video. We wrapped a day early and I have this camera for a free day. Do you have anything you want to shoot?” I checked my notes app and found some half baked bullet points written in my about a 15 year old boy who’s parents were 100 years old. We’d shot it like a true documentary. No narrative arc, no beats, whatever happens happens and we see if there’s a story there in post. The result was a tender piece that balances goofiness with sincerity far better than other projects I’d had months to prepare for. I was thrilled when the folks at JASH were nice enough to put on their comedy platform and give it a wider audience.