Director from Valley unveils latest film
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
Tom Morris will be back in Ohio this week for the premiere of his new film.
The Southern California resident and Hubbard native will be at the Cleveland International Film Festival where “Oliver, Stoned,” which he directed and co-wrote, will be screened.
“Oliver, Stoned” is the second film by Morris and his filmmaking partners at Pelican House Productions.
Like the first one, “General Education,” it’s a breezy and quirky comedy.
The CIFF, which takes place at Tower City Cinemas, will show “Oliver” three times — Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It’s part of the CIFF’s Local Heroes category.
The film centers around a lovable pot-smoking slacker named Oliver Barnes, who works at his father’s auto detailing shop. Oliver is given a car to take care of for the weekend, but the car gets stolen after he stops for ice cream on the way home.
What ensues is a panic-induced, smoke-shrouded mission to recover it.
“Oliver is stuck in a rut and forced into a situation where he has to take action,” said Morris, in a phone interview last week.
Unlike his first film, which had a budget of several million dollars and a few well-known actors (including Janeane Garofalo), “Oliver” was shot on a shoestring budget. The cast, led by Seth Cassell in the title role, is experienced, but there are no big names or big salaries.
Morris said that made shooting less stressful, because the time management doesn’t have to be so efficient. He and the cast could take their time and fine-tune scenes without worrying about the schedule.
“We made sure we were achieving the visual plan each day,” said Morris.
The cast also includes Brea Grant (“Heroes,” “Dexter”) and Robert Curtis Brown (“Trading Places”). Skylan Brook, who played the young sidekick in “General Education,” also has a role, and there are about two dozen more in the cast.
Morris said he and Jaz Kalkat wrote the script, but called it a heavily collaborative effort. Input came from other Pelican House principals, and lead actor Cassell also played a strong role in shaping the character Oliver.
The film was shot over a two-week period, and the final cut was completed March 5.
After the CIFF, Morris and Pelican House will pursue other film festivals as well as a limited theatrical run. He would like to make that run include a stint at a Mahoning Valley theater, if possible.
Morris’ first feature-length film, “General Education,” had a limited theater run and is now available on Net-flix, and for DVD and Blu-Ray purchase on Amazon.com.
After the smoke clears from “Oliver, Stoned,” Morris and Co. will get to work on their next film, “Truckworld.” Morris has already written the script. The 2007 graduate of Hubbard High School said the comedy takes place at a 24-hour truck stop — similar to the ones along the Hubbard exit of Interstate 80.