V I D E O
Intrepid
When the relationship with her lover collapses, She encounters the intrepid features of change.
Talent and Crew: Vanessa Ore (known for Imperium, starring Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter movie fame) – as She; Beth Felice – Visitor; Thomas Estes – He; Co-Director & Writer – Thomas Estes; Co-Director & Director of Photography – Robert Filion; Boom Mic Operator – Joseph Hill; Gaffer – Ben Jones; Editor – Kirsten Kitchens; Sound Design – Blake Hobson. Filmed in Kernersville, NC at the home of a good friend, Deanna Watson, including her cat-princess, Trudy. Post-production in Charlotte, NC.
What do I say about Intrepid? I loved the adventure of making my first short—it was made purposively for the 100 Words Film Festival, Charlotte, NC in November of 2016. I wrote Intrepid in mind of a strange vision that I had had for a song, although I’m not a musician, so I set out to adapt it into this screenplay of exactly one hundred words. I had imagined the droning sound of a couple fighting so that’s the reason for the same line of dialogue reappearing. I gave it a happy ending, of course. The actresses Vanessa Ore (She) and Beth Felice (Visitor) deserve praise for extracting believable performances from such an odd script. All who worked on the project were hard-working artists and true gems. Thank you and bless you!
"Landscape"
(Photograph, 2012, Honorable Mention in The Light Factory's Annual Member's Show)
In Venice, Italy, I learned of the honorable mention—there was a grappa toast!
Dummy
For the 48 Hour Film Project in 2012, I signed up at the then Charlotte Film Community (now Carolina Film Community) meeting. The next day folks were contacting me about organizing the working parts because, low and behold, I had absentmindly signed up as a director, for which I was not remotely prepared. Thank goodness Robert Filion had a script in mind and filled the director role neatly. He agreed to take me on as First Assistant Camera. This was a sophisticated, polished production and I learned so much by participating. The short won 3rd place in the Charlotte competition. I don’t believe the film is available online anymore, at one time residing on Robert’s Vimeo. Here’s the production on IMBd.
"Bull's Head"
(Laquered tree root, copper wire, 1998)
Discovered the root in a ditch while working as a landscaper in Asheville, NC. It's surrounded here by like-minded archetypes.
Life Without
Working on this production as Director of Photography and Producer was an exceptionally moving and life-changing experience, at the hands of the talented director, Melissa Mummert. She orchestrated a summer camp experience at ImaginOn in Uptown Charlotte, NC for the children of incarcerated parents to share their stories through making their own short films. The project went so well that Melissa decided to compile the vignettes into a short documentary. The film has no online presence except for this relic on Amazon.
