Fistface Year 10
10th Anniversary Trailer - 2011-2021
10th Anniversary Fistface poster. 2011-2021.
10 years to the day of this post (September 24th, 2011) Fistface premiere at the Keystone Arts Cinema.
"FISTFACE IS AN EXCITING TALE OF A WELL AGED MAN WHO, AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT, BECOMES A LEGENDARY HERO AND SUBSEQUENTLY GOES THROUGH A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERING WHO HE IS IN HIS NEW LIFE - MAKING AN IMPACT ALONG THE WAY."
When I embarked on the idea of Fistface in 2007 I was in my early 20’s, full of raw, silly ideas. My friend, future co-best man and bruv, Grant Langebartels and I conjured up this idea, much to his dismay in hindsight I’m sure. Little did I know how much of a muse this film would be for me.
Since it’s inception, Fistface was meant to be something that fulfilled all my dreams with film: exotic locations, fanciful storytelling, space, animation, claymation, puppets, drama, art, friends, family - all the staples of every film ever, combined into one fanciful story. Something “designed to be exotically ornamental rather than practical.” And Fistface is just that, impractical. But what now? Did I peak?
Nah, I don’t think I peaked, that’s yet to come… right? But I did get a better understanding of what I don’t like to do in film (all of it myself), what frustrates me (friends as actors, claymation), what deserves my time (friends and family).
Fistface poster from 2011.
So as we look back at Fistface 2011, I wanted to offer up a Top 10 from the production.
Art: On a project like this you quickly discover how much art is needed to complete your vision. The amount of things needed to flesh out a project intense.
Locations: Since the production was more of an “I’ll do this in my free time” it stretched out into a 5 year ordeal. So with that I got to film it everywhere that suited me. Gulf Shores, Michigan, a tattoo parlor, my bachelor pad, and my favorite location - Puppet Beach in Dale Hollow, Tennessee.
Costuming: Whether it was a rented costume (sailor), something from Goodwill (Old Fistface sweater) or something I hand made (aliens), the costuming of Fistface sold the world.
Post-Production: Editing, poster design, sound effects, music. Seeing Fistface assemble and rise from the mind was the best. It hasn’t stopped there, either. Whether it’s an anniversary trailer (above) or the Fistface Children’s Book, Fistface keeps the creativity alive.
Music: You quickly discover how much stock music won’t be enough when making a full length film. Having the help and support of my friend Bryce Langebartels to create the score for the film was invaluable.
The Premiere: I never thought production would end. As year 5 approached and production completion was on the horizon, we decided to set a premiere date, mainly as a way to force the film production to wrap up. To make this all worth while, I wanted to have the premiere at a theater. So we rented out a room at the Keystone Arts Cinema in Indianapolis.
Friends: I got to spend the most creative time with friends, new and old.
Family: My family was a huge part of this production. Whether if was my mothers help purchasing equipment for the film or my dad building props and lending his house out for costume /puppet construction, a back alley and a German lab. You realize who really has your back through a project like this.
The Meaning: Fistface for me is a creative outlet, still is.
The Legacy: This fanciful story did get made, the “film” happened. I rented a theater (thanks Mom) and I had a premiere, I got it out of my system. But when I look back on this time of my life. I look back on it fondly and certainly try to keep that spark alive in all the creative things I do. In the end, I got to spend unique time with friends, family and my future wife. I got to be creative, try new things and have fun. I wouldn’t trade that for all mushrooms you can find in a the chin of a legend!
Discover more about Fistface.
- The Media Buff
Watch the full film here.