It will seem a little odd
to fans of Grey’s Anatomy if they catch the theatrical release of
writer/director Jake L. Topkis’ In Searching during its limited run,
which begins in early November.
Yes, that’s Dr. Levi
Schmidt (Jake Borelli — also as Wolfgang in The Thundermans TV
series) of the award-winning ABC dramatic series in the lead role, but he looks
younger … new movie release, how is that possible?
If you are not in one of
the major metro areas where the film will be showcased, no worries, Indican Pictures
has tabbed Dec. 4 as the DVD debut date for Topkis’ In Searching. Be sure to look for it then.
In the world of
independent filmmaking it is, in many cases, no longer about the talent or the
technical aspects, but the funding.
Getting a film produced is the hardest part as most filmmakers have
knowledge and access to the “how to” part of production. Frankly, that scares the “Hollywood” Studios,
who know that some “kid” can make a quality film for the cost of what they
spend on catering over a couple of days.
To give you some idea on
how this little gem is just getting out now, think about this, Topkis began
working on In Searching back in 2013, long before Borelli became a known
quantity. Production began in August of
that year and filming was completed within 25 days … by August of the following
a “rough cut” was assembled and a teaser trailer surfaced in February of
2015.
Finally, the film began
working the festival circuit and when it grabbed Best Actor (for Jake Borelli’s
performance) and the Audience Award at this year’s SENE Film, Music & Arts
Festival in Providence, Rhode Island, people began to take notice of In
Searching. Indican Pictures
spotted this quality production (Dan Finlayson was the cinematographer and his
work is superb) and is moving it to market … at last! So, in a round-about-way that explains how Jake
Borelli suddenly got younger.
As to the story, Jon
(Borelli) has left his small town behind (filmed in and around Park City, Utah)
and gone off to college and has now returned for the first time during the
semester break. Old high school friends,
Cole (Jacob Grodnik) and Michelle (Aley Underwood) and a long-time nemesis,
Erik (Evan Hall — as CO Stratman in Orange Is the New Black and as Shep
Marster in the second season of Mars) have continued on in his
absence.
It is as if the book has
been closed, but the pages are tagged and the story just continues by flipping
to the marker. Go away to college, come
home for a few days and once again its like the Bowling for Soup song … “High School
Never Ends.”
Filmmaker Jake L. Topkis
takes us on a journey about moving on, which is in many ways timeless. However, he cleverly uses a “device” that
brings some mystery and tension to getting beyond what is today to where each
of the four main characters need to go to get to “tomorrow.”
No sooner is Jon back in
town when Erik challenges him to an insane bike race (one that you will have to
see to get the full impact), which is basically scary teen-stuff. During the race something (which we won’t
give away here) happens that sets events in motion that forces Jon and his
friends to sort through what is important in their lives … and what has to be
let go of so that the journey can continue.
Dec. 4, In
Searching … look for it from Indican Pictures on DVD.
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