An Industry Case Study
Narrative | Dramatic Features
Film Name: Lost Kings
Genre: Drama, Suspense
Length of film: in word(s) / number(s)
Date: June 10th, 2020
Director: Brian Lawes
Producer: Amanda Hyden
Writer: Brian Lawes
Cinematographer: Vincent Gonneville
Production: 3+ days of production in Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Financing: Personal savings, producers, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (grants) & Camera Ambassador Community Builders Grant.
Shooting Format: Arri Alexa Mini, Kowa Anamorphics lenses
Awards: Jury Award for Best U.S. Narrative Short at the 2020 Santa Fe Independent Film Festival.
Website: www.lostkingsmovie.com
The Official Trailer for Lost Kings
Watch The Trailer for Lost Kings directed by Brian Lawes
A Short Biography of Brian Lawes
Brian Lawes is an American film director, writer, and producer known for his award-winning films Lost Kings (2020) and Rock Paper Scissors (2018). His films have played all across the world, earning multiple jury awards, with notable premieres at both Oscar® qualifying and BAFTA qualifying festival programs. His most recent film, Lost Kings, won the grant support of the Community Builders Grant, the OVAC ArHst Grant, and was made possible by the support of a Jury Award prize for his previous film, Rock Paper Scissors.
The Brian Lawes Interview
indieactivity: Give the full Official Synopsis for your film?
Brian Lawes (BL): My film, Lost Kings, is about a boy named Zuri who is searching for food for him and his younger brother. After an unsuccessful attempt to shoplift food early on in the film, we watch as his desperate situation leads him to break into a neighborhood home to steal groceries. Unfortunately, when the homeowners return, he becomes trapped inside with those he’s stealing from. It then becomes a cat and mouse game of him sneaking throughout the house, trying to escape before the family and police realize he’s still in the home.
Development & Financing?
Brian Lawes (BL): Originally, this story actually began as a much longer idea. I first wrote the feature screenplay of Lost Kings, and then a^erwards adapted it into a shorter script to showcase the characters and world in the short film. I knew I wanted to create this shorter concept for two reasons; first, I felt that this particular story would showcase my ability as a writer/director, but also I knew it would be vital in communicating the tone and vision for the feature film.
Once written, I began building the team around the project I knew we’d need to move into production. It was during this Hme I met my Director of Photography, Vincent Gonneville, and shared the script with him. Vincent is an incredibly talented cinematographer, so I was elated when he agreed to join the project. He brought such a beautiful visual language to this story, as well as an introduction to our Gaffer, Jaden Scholes, and Colorist, MarFn Gaumond, who were vital in achieving the desired look and feel of this film.
Meanwhile, while building our team for the production of the film, a majority of financing had already been raised from several years of personal savings, as well as a small portion contributed from producers involved with the project. Fortunately we were able to complete our financing goals when we received two production grants: the first was from the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, and the second was from the Camera
Ambassador’s 2019 Community Builders Grant. In the end, however, every crew member sacrificed in some way or another to help make the film possible, so it felt like a collective effort to get the film made within our budget constraints.
Production?
Brian Lawes (BL): With the team ready, and financing secured, it was time to conclude our many months of development and move into production. The team behind this film was one of the best I’ve ever worked with, and I’m eternally thankful they all signed on for this film. Each of them brought so much talent and passion to bring this story to life; I don’t think I can say enough about what their contribution meant to me.
When you’re sitting alone, dreaming up a script months before it becomes a reality, you hope that others will connect with your story and believe in it as much as you did. My amazing crew did just that and honestly made it even better with their ideas and love for the film.
We concluded our three day production window, and went into a really aggressive post-production schedule to meet certain festival deadlines. Once again I worked with my composer from my last two films, Aaron Newberry, in finding the score for the film. After that, I had the privilege of working with my newfound collaborator, MarFn Gaumond, in coloring the film. MarHn and Aaron did a tremendous job, and this film wouldn’t be what it is without their immense talent.
In the end, I look back with such gratitude for the entire process. This film is only a reality because of the many team members who sacrificed to bring it to life every name in the credits played such a vital role in telling this story, and I’m so grateful they offered their time and talent to this project.
Festival Preparation & Strategy?
Brian Lawes (BL): I started by connecting with the programmers from previous festivals I’d premiered at, while simultaneously developing a list of programs I’d never been to before that I thought would be a great chance to showcase the film to a new audience. Naturally during this process you learn about other festivals along the way, so you adapt and add attempted programs as you go.
We played at a handful of great festivals throughout the summer, and then in the fall of 2020 we played at back-to-back Oscar® qualifying festivals – Calgary International Film Festival and Edmonton International Film Festival – followed by a Jury Award at the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival. This burst of momentum led us to our premiere at the 16th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival, a program I’d wanted to be a part of for some time. We continue to adapt our strategy as we go, but look forward to festival opportunities that will come in 2021 as we continue to share the film.
The Release?
Brian Lawes (BL): Our film was released on the festival circuit this past summer, and will continue to tour festivals in 2021. Eventually we will have an online release, but that will come a^er our festival run. When it comes time for that release, we’ll be announcing it via the website, email updates, and social media accounts.
Advice from the Filmmaker?
BL: Just keep making stuff. It’s a simple mantra, but I believe in it so much. Personally, I find myself thriving the most when I’m learning and growing in the midst of a new project. It can be big or small, but just the act of creating something new fuels my creativity in so many ways. It can be easy to let yourself become paralyzed by comparison with other creators, or by waiting for the timing to be just right for your next big project. In these moments, come back to this simple advice and it’ll help you get back on course.
What do you have coming up next?
BL: With the feature script of Lost Kings completed, we’re currently in the process of financing the feature film. As we work towards that, we’ll also continue to share the film on the festival circuit into 2021 and possibly even into 2022 before arriving at an online release after we conclude our festival run. This winter I’ll also be working on my first project shot on 16mm film, a short documentary that I hope to release next year. The pandemic also allowed me some extra time to write a couple of new ideas, so those may be made in the meantime depending on how long it is before I step into the feature project.
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