Uphill is a story most of the world is probably familiar with; love lost. William (Jake Dressler) and Amanda (Katelynn Newberry) are former lovers who have been apart for the better part of two years. William is depressed, moving through time in an unvaried routine losing interest in life as the days pass. One day, Amanda contacts him and asks to meet. He hesitantly agrees and they meet for the first time to attempt to gain the one thing a separated couple needs – closure.
The film is a dramtic short written and directed by first timer, DJ Remark. DJ has acted in several stage productions and independent films in the Cleveland/Akron area, his home town in Ohio. While he enjoys acting, he’s always wanted to direct and experience what it’s like on the other side of the camera, but where to start? “I’ve always been impressed with my [Samsung Galaxy S9]’s camera so I figured I already had the most important tool in my pocket. From there, I saved some money and started buying other essential equipment, piece by piece, while I was writing the script and figuring out what kind of movie I wanted to make.” he tells FilmLocal. “This project has definitely been a journey. I’m learning so much about all the subtle nuances that go into filmmaking. Schedule juggling is the bane of my existence.” he laughs, and we agree.
The film is a rather ambitious project being shot entirely with a cellphone. Is this a possible future for filmmaking? DJ seems to think so. The Samsung Galaxy S9 boasts 4K video recording at 30 fps or 60fps, QHD video recording at 30 fps, 720p / 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps VDIS (Video Digital Image Stabilization), Digital zoom up to 8x a Super Speed Dual Pixel 12MP AF sensor with Dual Aperture: F1.5 mode/ F2.4 mode and so much more. The shots we’ve been allowed to see from production so far have been very impressive.
We’re excited to see more updates from DJ and company about Uphill and we wish him all the best in current and future projects.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/uphillmovie/
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