GRASPING STRAWS
Three distinct stories involving a gun deal gone wrong, a gruesome murder, and a journey for revenge all violently intersect over the course of one twenty four hour period.
Written as my second feature length screenplay, this film is a hyper stylized blend of the bizarre and unexpected ways people’s lives can become intertwined, often at the worst possible times…
A BOILING FROG
A small town dirt track racer trying to escape his past is unwillingly thrust into an art heist by a pair of psychotic former associates from Chicago.
The first feature length screenplay I wrote, this film is best described as a "fish out of water" thrown into a nightmare rave from hell, that's then stomped on a few times for good measure.
Find out more at aboilingfrog.film
“The Rat Dance” scene from my latest short film “Art for Rats”. Follow the link in bio to watch the full thing.
After replying to an unsolicited email selling anonymous art, a curator is thrown into a hell filled with rats, foot fetishism, and basement karate where the only penalty for losing... is death.
Director - Me
DP - Spencer Ortega @spencer.ortega
Art Direction - Emily Dalske @ghost.fancier
Sound - Peter Nienhuis @petesbeats
Color - Gabi Bucataru @photo_gabi
1st AD - Zac Higgins @zhiggy18
2nd AD - John Carlo Rosillo @jcarlorosillo
Gaffer - Philipe Melo @philipemelo
Hair/Makeup - Shade of Face FX @shadeoffacefx
1st AC - Xavier Schatzke @xsproductions.co
2nd AC - Marquel Henderson @kamposteezo
PA - Spencer Tait @spencertait
Mo - Tim Higgins @tiggins808
Rat - Kevin Romano @kev.romano
Art Curator - Me
#shortfilm #film #filmmaking #filmmaker #filmfestival #director #cinema #indiefilm #cinematography #movie #actor #shortfilms #movies #art #filmmakers #filmproduction #shortfilmfestival #photography #cinematographer #films #behindthescenes #actress #video #independentfilm #love #animation #producer #acting #actorslife #festival
Their Discarded Memories c. 2026
A selection of photos I scanned and edited, picked from a bin of abandoned 35mm slides.
Dated 1962-1988.
I don’t know who shot any of them, or where they were taken, but now digitized, maybe the capture of these images, memories and moments can help them live on a bit longer, not entirely forgotten, not yet thrown away.
“Harajuku, FL” will have its film festival premiere this February at Slamdance in Los Angeles.
Two years ago, I sat in Slamdance screenings and walked out charged with inspiration—wide-eyed, restless, hungry.
To now return with a film that I and a small army of brilliant friends poured so much love into feels surreal in the best way. This is where Harajuku, FL gets to take its first breath.
More screenings soon. From Miami to the world. 🛩️🌎
—
Last slide: Bong Joon Ho at Slamdance in 2000, premiering his first feature “Barking Dogs Never Bite.”
The Japan teaser of “Harajuku, FL.” 📍
Teaser was shot by Richard Ramos, Colored by Parker Gayan and cut by Andres Gimenez.
Coming 2026 👀
@obnoxiousrich@parkergayan
Here's a favorite still from my new short film "Grasping Straws". We follow Shaun, an addict on the run as he makes a series of poor decisions before being confronted with a life or death situation involving a complete stranger.
Dir. - Me
DP - @spencer.ortega
AC's - @juliabellair@jcarlorosillo@xsproductions.co
Sound - @workshoplalo
Starring - @kev.romano
Kerric Stephens
@jdotb81@stevepiperactor
#shortfilm #director #writer #filmmaking #movie #drama #tribeca #sundance #oscarplease #cinemascope #anamorphic #blackmagicdesign #agameoftones #fujiframez #framez #artfilm #artofvisuals
