💥🧨🚚 @dsaplin is directing his first feature film! COHETES is about a rookie pyrotechnician, Ari, who strikes a deal with the richest man in her coastal Texas town to save her family and their livelihoods after a fireworks accident lands her uninsured father in the hospital. Ari assembles a ragtag team to transport illegal fireworks across town, evade the ATF, and ensure the show goes off without getting caught or killed.
🧨 COHETES is inspired by Allie (Drew’s wife), her family, and their lives as pyrotechnicians. COHETES is about the grit, sacrifice, and dedication of a family that’s spent years making moments unforgettable—one fireworks at a time.
🧨 Let’s make this movie! Donate (tax-deductible!) via @filmindependent share the link, or connect for financing opportunities. Every bit counts! Link in bio to learn more and join us on our journey! #IndieFilm #Cohetes #TexasFilmmaking #FilmIndependent #TheDirectLine #Fireworks
🙏Thank you @hyperrealfilmclub for being a champion of Indie Filmmakers and letting us share our story!
🎥 Attached Feature Film Crew:
Director/Writer/Producer: @dsaplin
Writer/Producer: @smnthbnntt
Producers: @morganajanep@aurevoirfrancois@via_dear@mralanluna@stringlightgroup
Consulting Producer: @stevenjberger
DP: @chill_berrt
Special Effects Supervisor: Bob Trevino
Stunt Coordinator: Jeff Schwan
Composer: @callmekwudi
Associate Producer: @gabimondragon
🎵Song credit for sizzle: Polarizer by Cid Rim
Last Tuesday we welcomed Javelina Baja Blast Ochoa Saplin into the world. She was 25lbs and three feet long. She has since shrunk to normal baby size. We’re excited to raise the first female lunar president, though her father is confused by the moon on a daily basis. Mom is doing well, and if anyone calls either of them “mamas” like “hey mamas” I will find you and hunt you for sport.
big news! we got a grant y’all! @dsaplin is the recipient of the @austinfilm grant for feature films for his film COHETES along with 19 other Texas filmmakers selected by AFS panelists Darcy McKinnon, Raven Jackson, Sudeep Sharma, Elizabeth Avellán. our team is incredibly proud to be included in this cohort of stupendous texas filmmakers and grateful for austin film society’s support. feels real good 😊
drew and @smnthbnntt started writing this thing in 2022 with the support of @aurevoirfrancois . then in 2023 the @thedirectlinellc shot drew’s short @racashort as a proof of execution down in rockport and aransas pass. since then we’ve been granted fiscal sponsorship from @filmindependent , assembled a growing team of amazing producers (@via_dear@morganajanep@bradfordsimpson@mralanluna )and department heads who believe in our project, and began negotiations with interested actors. we’re currently rounding out funding and the support from afs could not have come at a better time.
these photos are stills from our cohetes sizzle reel shot by dp @chill_berrt over 4th of july 2024 featuring drew’s wife allie and her family’s holiday fireworks show. and they are 🤌🧑🍳🎆 hit us up if yoy want to know more!
Me and my team @thedirectlinellc are beyond excited to be a part of a roster of indelibly talented friends, peers, and folks we are fans of. This is such a huge deal as someone who’s worked in the Austin Film Scene and shared this community for a long time. Thanks @austinfilm and everyone who’s reached out, it means so much to me. Today’s a good day to make movies.
