Uncategorized
Hocked: Bozeman filmmakers to take on dark comedy in budget feature length film
Published
5 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Samuel Orazem EBS EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
BOZEMAN — As Bozeman has grown, so too has the local film scene, and while many features and shorts produced by locals focus on life in Montana or the plethora of outdoor activities the region has to offer, Steve Drake of Single Six Media has chosen to tread a new path; his debut feature length production, “Hocked,” is a dark comedy inspired by his family’s experience as pawn-shop owners in Bozeman.
“Hocked” tells the story of a struggling musician who comes into possession of, and promptly sells, a mysterious item to two pawn shop brokers. This implicates all three characters in a deal-gone-bad between dirty police officers and drug enforcers, and for the remainder of the film, the protagonists struggle to survive the wrath of enemies they accidentally made.
To form the backbone of the story, Drake drew directly from his own life—as any good piece of writing does.
“I was pretty much raised in a pawn shop and so I would hear all these crazy stories about odd items that would come in and even odder people, sometimes,” Drake said. “With that background I was trying to think of something I could write that would be interesting and my mind would just keep going to that.”
Drake cites Kevin Smith, the director of witty comedies like “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” as his most notable influence for the film. His goal was to write humor that was “real, everyday, two-guys sitting in a pawn-shop humor. It’s not set-up jokes, it’s real life.” He also drew from Guy Ritchie’s early films, like “Snatch” and “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,” which feature multiple subplots that ultimately converge at the climax, for inspiration on the film’s plot progression.
“I love how somehow you have about sixteen characters, you like all of them and they weave through a mess of a movie before everything ultimately comes together,” Drake said.
“Hocked” was produced on a budget of around $1,000, an ultra-low budget that was only achievable because his video production company already had all the necessary equipment and the family pawn-shop provided a perfect set for the film at no cost, but Drake is convinced that this will not be apparent to viewer.
Just because Drake already had the perfect set did not mean that production went off without a hitch.
“I started writing the script early in December of last year and in the middle of December my step-dad and my mom told me they were going to shut it down in April … I was only six pages into it [the script] at that point, but luckily it served as a kick in the butt to actually put this thing into motion. I think that was the biggest hurdle we could have ever faced”
“Hocked” is a passion project through and through, the product of a young filmmaker who aspires to contribute to the bourgeoning indie film scene in Bozeman, clawing for space in the industry as every great household name director has done before him. With a tentative 2020 screening, be sure to keep an eye on developments less you miss this one-of-a-kind piece of local cinema history.
Visit www.hockedthemovie.com for updates on the theatrical screening.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
29mar3:00 pm4:00 pmGood Friday Mass: St. Joseph Catholic Mission3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event City:Big Sky
Event Details
Friday of the Passion of the Lord St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Friday of the Passion of the Lord
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Friday) 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm