It started with a photo...

Photos by Audri Mendoza (Instagram.com/DOZER10)

Recently my good friend Victoria Parker and I decided to take a picture together.  You may remember her from a few of my earlier projects and from this past blog post.  The last project we shot together was a promo video for Victory Outreach Church of Eagle Rock.

The photo was taken by Audri Mendoza, whom I've always been a huge fan of.  Her photos on Instagram have a unique way of capturing moments and expressing the emotion behind them.  I love her use of color and minimalism.

After the photo was taken I looked at it and thought. "This kinda looks like a movie poster." When I got home I played around with a photo editing app on my phone.  I stared at the picture and tried to figure out a name for this faux movie,   I studied the expression on our faces, body language, clothes, etc.

I felt like there was some kind of awkwardness between the two subjects, they weren't smiling or even looking at each other.  Were they friends, enemies, family or a couple of perfect strangers?  It's like they were breaking the fourth wall and asking the audience for help.  Soon the title appeared before my eyes, "Awkward Silence."

The title is a subtle joke between Victoria and I, because we're both introverts.  So silence and avoiding human interaction are a natural way of life for us. How we became friends is still a mystery.  As I prepared to upload the photo onto Instagram, I began to take a closer look.

Since it looked like a movie poster, why not turn it into a real movie.  Suddenly ideas rushed through my head as I tried to piece together a synopsis for this potential short film. Why didn't they talk? How do they know each other? What are they trying to accomplish? and so on, I felt a surge of energy flow through me.

Soon I began writing the script, which is not finished, but still in motion.  The project will be a dramatic narrative, though there will be light hearted moments here and there.  Here is an excerpt from the first scene.

I'm planing to have the first draft finished by the end of the month, hopefully it will be. You may be wondering if Victoria and I will be starring in it, unfortunately no.  There is a talent that I need both of the actors or at least one of them to be able to perform, and neither of us know how to do so. I would tell you, but I risk giving too much away.

As for the cinematography, I have signed on Alex Dunn to be the Director of Photography. We've worked together in the past and I know he can bring the visual style and expression I'm looking for in this film.

I will keep you posted on future developments, casting, production and more. Let's hear it for the random photo that is going to turn into my next short film.

-Manuel Montanez