Michael Rees

𝗠𝗜𝗗𝗗𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗭𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 is out now for everyone to watch (on your TV). If you got to see it in the big room at Village East or at the Enzo Film Fest you did it right, but for everyone else the day has come. Thank you @vimeo for back2back staff picks and giving the film(z) an Internet life. I had been dying to put Al and Eric in the same scene for nearly two years, and now everyone gets to share in that idea. Very lucky (and thankful) to have had great actors prioritize making this. We set the date to shoot about two weeks out and had Al and Veronika flying into NYC around the rest of their hectic lives. Six weeks later it was beaming into 300+ people just blocks from where we shot (see next slide). I believe the people you see on screen are special. If you helped make this film or the April 27th screening night happen, you have my endless thanks. Everyone better laugh like Kyle in the final slide. 🫡♥️✍🏻🎬🎥👀🙌 𝗠𝗜𝗗𝗗𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗭𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 A guest speaker teaches that properties of scale (Big and Small) have no connection with something's moral status (Good and Bad). Things take a turn when the students he speaks to begin pointing out the glaring holes in his philosophy. Starring @al_warren_ @ericrahill @veronika_iscool @jordan_raf Also with @samantha___forever @yo_ciano Annie Trinder Classroom Cast @kylefornow @zackvillere @brooke__andersen @manyuj @vicnotnic @dragon_paul_b @portalfinder EP @bombvest Produced by @jessicadimento Associate Producers: @my_special_soul & @portalfinder Director of Photography @bartondillingham First AC / Gaffer / Cam Op @notfromcolorado Production Sound @victor.anotherkid Styling and Score @kylefornow Script & Creative Consultant: Austin Frosch Color @everydayisalifetime Editorial Consultant @dredford_ Sound Mix @fracturednoise MTS special thx in movie credits (IG says caption too long) Song in recap vid is “Strong Spirits” by @thelife_ishere Thx for photos & philosophical wisdom @connorytheballantyne For event filming / photo / generally everything @jessicadimento Other godly warriors @alexsovoda @leeban.farah @kentuckeraudley and Steve and Toz @villageeastbyangelika

The first (1) of four (4) videos for the new @hovvdy album “ᗷIG ᗯOᖇᒪᗪ” — to me, a 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕-𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚎-𝚕𝚎𝚐𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚎-𝚜𝚞𝚋𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎-𝚙𝚊𝚕𝚙𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎 example of Good energy and simplicity and the infinite power of friendship and “The Garage” Mega thanks to Will and Charlie for always trusting me with things and especially @aidenulrich for coming on the way you did and being such a partner on this whole project and @spenson for being a proper genius with that idea. There’s much more to come, but for now listen to… 𝘛𝘙𝘠 𝘛𝘙𝘠 𝘛𝘙𝘠 by Hovvdy Directed by __________ Director of Photography @aidenulrich Produced by Michael Rees and Aiden Ulrich Color by @bfederman.xyz 1st AC - @set.quoya Gaffer - Johnny Gerhart Special Thanks Sarah Penson ❤️ @spenson Adrian Nieto @adriannieto__ Aubrey Primer KODAK Lab New York Shot on KODAK Motion Picture Film Arts and Crafts @artsandcrafts Will Noyce @bigkid.tv @willnoyce

Spent more time in rural Louisiana (THE PROPER SOUTH) this January and February than I have since high school which was a good recentering. Seems obvious but it’s super dooper important to spend as much time as possible in places that don’t exist on da web. Before we left, Sarah and I were able to capture this vibed out music video for @weareattaboy — their new album is great and comes out soon — this song really stuck out to me when I heard it. Pretty sure any still from this video could be a desktop background. Thanks to @edenbrolin and Lewis and TheBand and Mango and Presley and you the reader for reading this. “Oh Mama” Cinematography by @spenson ❤️ Produced by @bombvest Addtl editing and sound design by @connorytheballantyne Color by @benfederman VFX @derek_stuff Featuring Presley Mangrum Special thanks to: @zaiquiris_and_cream @dannysmight Bernie Brennan Nick Brennan Bogalusa, Louisiana Panavision New Orleans Will Noyce @bigkid.tv

More and more I get a lot of questions about what was written vs. what is improv in 𝕲𝖚𝖟𝖟𝖑𝖊 𝕭𝖚𝖉𝖉𝖎𝖊𝖘 and my other stuff— if you already know this you don’t have to read further — with that said I like the script to establish what’s happening then let improv color things in and create a fluidity and fun to being on set and also to leave things as simple set ups in the script without being too specific. This might be common knowledge but I think it’s important to really stress how important it is to how these things turn out. Use two cameras and crash actors together and don’t worry about getting coverage of everything that is a waste of time I find for this type of thing. Then casting and fun editing become the most important pillars rather than beating lines you wrote however long ago to death even if they aren’t working or if they are just more boring than anticipated just or don’t translate to screen. I sometimes like to see these script to screen videos and thought it would be fun to make one for this and it turned out to be fun to make so that’s awesome. Love that people are still finding this film and hopefully will continue to do so. Thanks to everyone for the many @letterboxd reviews (some are really in depth) and taking the time to watch and share it’s still making the rounds OK GREAT #nice #summer

I remember sitting on my couch with Andy in 2020 — we had just watched I Know This Much Is True and I saw some of the best acting of my life watching Phil play a young man and his identical twin brother, who was starting to exhibit signs of severe mental illness and schizophrenia. His performance in that show is something I still think about a lot and led me to him years later. In late 2024, after like a year of talking here and there via text, we finally connected and plotted to make something 𝔠𝔬𝔴𝔟𝔬𝔶 𝔪𝔬𝔡𝔢. This is the result of like 100 Guinnesses and a couple of heavy brainstorm sessions in an effort to make something that takes what could easily just be a sketch idea and lift it to place with some magic and heart and meaning, so I think we succeeded there. Thanks to everyone who helped on this — these wouldn’t happen without everyone really rooting for it and putting in more than is asked of you. 𝐆𝐞𝐭-𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫-𝐄𝐫𝐬 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡 𝙨𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙞𝙛𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙’𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙘é 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡. Phil Ettinger @philipettinger Veronika Slowikowska @veronika_iscool Claire Banse @duanereadeofficial Kyle Chase @kylefornow Leigh Murray (godly online ghost) Rachel Coster @rachelcoster Richard Perez @richard_perez Written and Directed by: 🤣 Producer:@jessicadimento Coordinator: @rewind003 1st AD: @milst Cinematographer: @bartondillingham B Cam Op / Greatest thing in my life @spenson Gaffer / 1st AC: @space_magic Wardrobe Stylist: @billieroseowen HMU: @grey__hoffman Set Decorator: @zsuzsamagyar Set Dresser: @I3oothe Production Sound: @victor.anotherkid Set BTS photos: Abbigail Mancuso Editors: me and austin frosch Asst editor: @maddyvanburen VFX: @derek_stuff Colorist: Ben Federman @bfederman.xyz Sound mix: @matthewrolllins Score: Austin Frosch GatorPoster design: @yellowretriever Song in background by @hovvdy of course Thank you for watching and sharing the movie and be sure to leave a review on Letterboxd🌶️

For the SE7ENTH EDITION of ThisEvent™️ we will back in everyone’s Favorite movie theater in everyone’s Favorite city. Thanks to everyone for making stuff even though its annoying to do for basically every second of the process except for when we get to watch it in a fire ass theater with our friends and family. Tickets are in my bio and the show will start around 9pm as usual. Health Ensurance VOL7 x @perfectlyimperfect With new work from: @dan.streit @itsbongoboy @oksaywhen 🫡me @matthewrolllins @yellowretriever @alexsovoda @andrewtheodorebalasia With special guest @wheels_duncan

Our 2024 Best of the Year Breakout Creators represent the most innovative and creative emerging voices in the filmmaking industry. Meet @leadprotagonist , one of this year’s winners and director of the #vimeostaffpick “Guzzle Buddies” Michael splits his time between NYC and LA, focusing on narrative short films, music videos, and the viral online sketch comedy project Veronika_iscool, created with best friends and roommates Veronika Slowikowska and Kyle Chase. His most recent short films (Guzzle Buddies, Middle Sized Things, Love Machine) have all been Vimeo Staff Picks and continue to expand an ever-growing audience. These films have been showcased alongside those of his contemporaries in an ongoing series called Health Ensurance, a large screening event put on by Rees (and crew) that has grown to be at the center of a buzzy NYC and LA film and art community. Explore their work at the link in our bio.

We shot this short back in February on two very cold days — Austin brought the script 2 me and was serious about doing it so I helped pull it together cuz we wanted to see Tommy act like an asshole on camera and it’s important to help your friends always. The film I speak of is out now and everyone should go watch it there are some classic moments and maybe even a special s̶u̶s̶p̶r̶i̶s̶e̶ at the end. Good on Austin for also spending like two months painting the poster 📝🏠🤷‍♂️😇 #love #angels #filmmaking #friends G͎U͎A͎R͎D͎I͎A͎N͎ ͎A͎N͎G͎E͎L͎ A paranoid and delusional man embarks on a mission to secure release forms from his ex-lovers. W͎r͎i͎t͎t͎e͎n͎ ͎a͎n͎d͎ ͎D͎i͎r͎e͎c͎t͎e͎d͎ by s͎t͎a͎r͎r͎i͎n͎g͎ @tommygmurray @samantha____forever @gabrielamartinezcelaya @jamielalalalalala @veronika_iscool @evan_sica as The Surprise Creative Producer: 👼 Produced by: @jessicadimento Cinematography @bartondillingham 1st ACs: @alexandramettler & Eli Freiriech Production Sound: @victor.anotherkid Sound Design & Mix: @chaseeverettsound VFX: @derek_stuff Set BTS: Leigh Murray & Abbie Mancuso Edited by: 👼 & Music: “Hip Hug Her” Booker T. & M.G.’s © 2004 Atlantic Recording Corp. Special Thanks: Kyle Chase Emilio Cochon Andy Ruse Dylan & Janet Seals Production Companies:  BENDER FILMS & ANALOGA

“I always have so much fun mixing scripted things with non-scripted stuff in the edit and to me it's the most fun because the film can really take a new shape and life.” @leadprotagonist talks us through the challenges of post-production after a frantic six and a half hour shoot on his sketch comedy short ‘His Parents Never Taught Him’, about the chaos that arises when an Airbnb with a pool is double-booked. You can watch the film & read our full interview over on DN now ⏯️ // CREDITS // Starring @liamcullagh_ @kylefornow @veronika_iscool @haleyuka @DelaneyRowe @itsmaddykelly @natevarrone Directed by @leadprotagonist Written by @haleyuka and @leadprotagonist Produced by @bombvest Director of Photography @adriannieto__ B camera operator / first AC @jakewolfert Production Sound by Memo Adli & Mladan Jukovic HMU @triplekream Color by @bfederman.xyz Sound design and mix by @chaseverettsound Edited by @leadprotagonist & @alexsovoda Assistant editors @maddyvanburen & @austinfrosch Special thanks to the Richardson Family #HisParentsNeverTaughtHim #MichaelRees #WeAreDN #Comedy #ShortFilm #swimmingpool

⚠️🄽🅂🄵🅆 🅆🄰🅁🄽🄸🄽🄶 ⚠️ 🏊🏊🌞🌞👙👙⛱️⛱️😎😎 🄽ew 🅂hort 🄵or 🅆watching Da Link n bio 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐇𝐈𝐌 Kyle and Liam are taking a weekend getaway to address a major problem Liam is facing — meanwhile four women have somehow double-booked the same Airbnb. Starring @liamcullagh_ @kylefornow @veronika_iscool @haleyuka @DelaneyRowe @itsmaddykelly @natevarrone Directed by @leadprotagonist Written by @haleyuka and @leadprotagonist Produced by @bombvest Director of Photography @adriannieto__ B camera operator / first AC @jakewolfert Production Sound by Memo Adli & Mladan Jukovic HMU @triplekream Color by @bfederman.xyz Sound design and mix by @chaseverettsound Edited by @leadprotagonist & @alexsovoda Assistant editors @maddyvanburen & @austinfrosch Special thanks to the Richardson Family MUSIC: “Sons de carrilhões (Arr. I. Paschoito for guitar),” performed by Pedro Aguiar © 2020 Naxos Records “Quando O Carnaval Chegar,” performed by Quarteto Em Cy © 1972 EMI Records Brasil Ltda © 2024 Bender Media

Guzzle Buddies 🍻starring Lewis Pullman and Kyle Chase is out now on Vimeo. If you follow the advice given in this reel you will undoubtedly feel better. Thanks to everyone taking the time to watch the full film 🎞️ #haha #blooper #roof #wimhof #advice #exhale