Local filmmakers to shoot experimental comedy in Asheville this summer
PAPERCOOKIE is a film production collective of art/film school dropouts who left college to pursue do-it-yourself independent filmmaking.
John Ferrer, Aubrey Curtis, and Joe Chang all left the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem and relocated to Asheville almost 2 years ago. They have since made a short and feature film and oversaw all aspects from conception, to production, to scoring music themselves. This summer, they will be producing Joe Chang's feature directorial debut entitled, NEUTRAL.
NEUTRAL is an experimental comedy that takes a surreal and satirical view of the banality of everyday life and all its glory, sadness, and humor. The film uses a series of continuous vignettes following over 80 different characters as they meander through a day, spilling their thoughts, dreams and hearts along the way. Toying with the reality of the surreal and mocking established norms with absurdist behavior, these characters are just as likely to break a joke as they are to crack a heart. Examples of scenes include a chance encounter between a young woman and the author of her life and the shadows of a boy and girl discussing their favorite shapes their owners' cast.
Twenty-three year old Writer/Director Joe Chang grew up all over North Carolina. He became interested in film when his theatre teacher in high school began a filmmaking class his senior year. He has spent the last few months working 2 jobs, living in his truck and eating peanut butter and banana sandwiches in order to raise and save money for NEUTRAL.
The film is being photographed by Greg Hudgins, a WNC native, who has worked on numerous local films, including projects with Blue Ridge Motion Pictures, Eljapa, and camera work for Asheville filmmaker Paul Schattel's SINKHOLE, among many others.
Filming will take place this August with almost all of it being shot in Asheville. The cast includes many locals as well as cast and crew coming in from Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Austin, TX, and all over North Carolina.
Papercookie's first feature film, GROWNUPS, along with short film, LEAVING HERE, will be screened at the Fine Arts Theatre on June 28 at 7:00 PM, and all proceeds will benefit the shooting of NEUTRAL this summer.
While over half the budget has been raised, the project is still seeking funding and donations. More information can be found at www.papercookie.net.