In the four years of Visions Film Festival and Conference's existence, honoring the work of undergraduate film students, both filmmakers and scholars, has been consistent in our mission, as well as a permanent staple in all decisions made by our undergraduate staff--past, present, and future. Although, another factor holds a firm position next to this purely undergraduate event, and it is one of diversity in subject, mode, and genre among our film and paper selections. In last Friday's edition of our featured filmmaker highlight, the subject was animator Whitney Polk and her brilliantly animated short, The Science of Cats. In terms of film category, (animation, documentary, experimental) we remain true to these elements of Visions' diversity in presenting this week's featured Visions4 filmmaker Zach Wechter. His multi-genre narrative film, Straight Down Low, is scheduled to screen in our second film block, beginning at 8:30pm in UNCW's Lumina Theater.
Hailing from perhaps the Eden of American narrative cinema, Los Angeles, California, Zach's film career began long before his formal education at Chapman University. He began creating his first short films, like many successful directors, as early as elementary school: "Growing up, I was always into making movies. My friends and I shot our own homemade projects a few times a week starting in elementary school. I guess it's become more serious over time" (Wechter PI).
It's become very serious.
His film, Straight Down Low, has been selected into numerous festivals already, such as New Orleans, Cleveland International, Maryland, Starz Denver, as well as Santa Cruz, Bahamas, Kansas City and Capital City. SDL also received an A.S.C. Student Heritage Award in 2013. Now, it's Visions' turn to present this outstanding undergraduate's work.
The film was shot in only eight days, and Zach describes his inspiration for the project: "The inspiration came from a number of sources. Chief among them was a desire to make a plot-driven narrative that collides and refreshes familiar genres, inspired by my great affection for Rian Johnson's Brick (2005)" (Wechter PI). Wechter's SDL takes a similar approach to Johnson's neo-noir detective thriller, but with a spin all his own. Set in the inner city, SDL tells the story of a shrewd high school detective as he attempts to solve a curious Californian gangland crime to protect the girl he loves. Driven by a strong plot, striking cinematography, and moving performances, Wechter delivers audiences a thrilling spin on the hardboiled detective film, and the capabilities of genre blending in narrative cinema.
Zach has proved himself as a talented director with a bright future, although screenwriting and the collaborative process seem to be key driving forces in his passion for film: " I have always wanted to direct. It's my favorite part of the process. But the most important part to me is writing. My most significant collaboration is with Jack Seidman, my writing partner and college roommate" (Wechter PI).
From 2012-2013, Zach worked at the Sundance Institute in the Feature Film Program. Currently, he directs music videos and branded content at Everdream Pictures in Los Angeles, CA. He is also currently working on his first first feature film.
So, with this highlight, we welcome Director Zach Wechter and his film, Straight Down Low, to Visions Film Festival and Conference on April 4th. The Visions4 staff, UNCW, and the local film community are honored to present this young filmmaker as he continues to rise in the world of narrative filmmaking.
Steven Gamble
Marketing Director
Visions Film Festival & Conference
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