Saturday Night Special (film)

Saturday Night Special is a 2007 motion picture written, directed and produced by Justin Evans. The motion picture stars Michael Scovotti, Joseph Julian Soria and Ross Marquand. The production was scored by Free (AKA Brent Daniels AKA Brent Danielski.)

The story occurs in the Lower South Hill of Spokane, Washington where Eddie Hawkes (Michael Scovotti) demands his best friend, Danny Del Toro (Joseph Julian Soria) tell the truth about their car trip and the events that inspired it. As Danny unveils the danger he has gotten himself into Eddie must decide whether to protect his best friend from an ex-partner and vile meth dealer, Aaron Nash (Ross Marquand) or walk away.

While this film follows strongly in the tradition of fellow film noir/neo noir classics, it subverts the staples of this genre. Nearly all noir style movies emphasize the connection between city life and criminal life. Saturday Night Special explores the underbelly of America's "fly over country." Martin Scorsese's noir style emphasizes the wealthy winners of crime. Saturday Night Special focuses on the perennial losers, who struggle to make ends meet. Quentin Tarantino's noir style emphasizes a cheeky, ironic tone. Saturday Night Special is incapable of irony or sarcasm.

This project is unusual for a micro-budget motion picture because of its accomplished screenplay, acting, cinematography, special effects and music. The motion picture is currently touring film festivals.

Cast

Michael Scovotti has appeared in The Ring, Law & Order, Will & Grace and Passions.

Joseph Julian Soria has appeared in episodes of Lincoln Heights (TV series), The Shield and CSI: Miami.

Ross Marquand stars in the short film, Angry Ghost, currently touring film festivals. Ross Marquand is a relative of Richard Marquand, who directed Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.

Original Score

The film score was composed, performed and produced by Free (AKA Brent Daniels AKA Brent Danielski.) His music has been included in such films as Charlie's Angels (film), Scary Movie 2, 3000 Miles To Graceland, The Skulls (film), Gossip (2000 American film) and on MTV's The Real World & Road Rules.

Free is a producer, singer, songwriter, sound designer & composer.

Before beginning his solo career Free was part of Hednoize, an electronica/industrial duo from Los Angeles, California with Daniel Lenz of Psykosonik.

Reviews

Trevor Greenfield, director of Lakedance International Film Festival, wrote the following review of the film:

"Saturday Night Special grabs your attention from the first line, builds to an inevitable crescendo showdown, and doesn't disappoint with a twisting conclusion that will leave you thinking about it for days. Schweitzer Lakedance is proud to award Justin Evans our 2007 Best Northwest Filmmaker Eagle for his achievement, not just in storytelling, but also for the ability to harness the difficult technical requirements needed to pull off his film. Congratulations!"

Stephen Rubin, deputy director of The Santa Fe Film Festival, wrote the following review of the film:

"SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL is one of those short films that packs a big punch in a matter of minutes. Directed masterfully by Justin Evans, the film is the story of two young men, mostly in a truck, discussing a potential crime they plan to commit.

The film is beautifully lit to create the mood of these two men late at night who are not in a good way. The faces are artfully lit while the world around them has a dark and menacing look. The two men alternate between being virtually in shadows to a more revealing look to show the tension and emotion of these talented actors’ faces.

Considering much of the film, especially the first two thirds, takes place in a truck, SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL is shot quite interestingly. Alternating between two shots from inside and outside the truck (through the windshield), and POV looks from one character at the other, medium and close ups, we are given a strong sense of the debate between the two characters and their desperation.

When motion is added to the scene, Evans shows his true unique vision and skill with the camera. The first motion shot starts with a colorful close up of a moving hubcap, creating the strong contrast from the stillness of the previous scene. Later, when the truck moves again, Evan’s creatively creates the motion through tilted and artsy camera angles.

The use of music is sparse and powerful, again adding to the mood. At parts funny and other times eerie, the music is always appropriate. Just the right amount of music is used, another example Evan’s knowledge of film, displaying that he has a long future as an innovative and entertaining filmmaker.

The acting is up to par with the rest of the film. The two main characters are believable as lost and desperate. The tension between the two as well as within each individual is well conveyed. When they encounter the “enemy” so to speak, played by the talented Ross Marquand, comes the true pay off. He is menacing and lit perfectly as to enhance the mood.

The film has a sudden but powerful ending. Overall, in a short span of minutes, Evans makes, in SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL, an entertaining and engaging film which shows a developing mastery of filmmaking based on an obvious knowledge of movies."

Awards

Saturday Night Special has won the following awards:

Best Northwest Filmmaker - Lakedance International Film Festival 2007

Audience Choice Award - New Mexico Filmmaker's Showcase 2007

Saturday Night Special has been nominated for the following awards:

Best Short Film - Local Shorts 5 2007

Saturday Night Special has been an official selection of the following film festivals:

New Mexico Filmmaker's Showcase 2007

Calgary Fringe Film Festival 2007

Local Shorts 5 2007

Lakedance International Film Festival 2007

Las Peliculas, The Northern New Mexico Film Festival 2007

Santa Fe Film Festival 2007

Technical Achievement/Historical Significance

Saturday Night Special is the first film to use The Lumen Motion Picture Lighting System, a compact fluorescent lighting system capable of illuminating major feature films. The first prototypes were developed for and tested on this production.

External Links

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1078924/ IMDB listing for Saturday Night Special

http://www.nmfilm.com/locals/downloads/audienceFavorites.pdf New Mexico Film Office's summary of showcase winners

http://www.nmfilm.com/locals/downloads/audienceFavoritesBios.pdf New Mexico Film Office's summary of winning directors

http://www.americanmeth.org/scrapbook/LCaugust_3_07.htm Newspaper article from Las Cruces Sun-News covering showcase winners & showcase tour

https://www.cmpevents.com/GD06/a.asp?option=G&V=3&id=520936 Biography of Justin Evans

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1748048/ IMDB listing for Michael Scovotti

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1928515/ IMDB listing for Joseph Julian Soria

http://audience.withoutabox.com/films/saturdaynightspecial Saturday Night Special's film site and blog at www.withoutabox.com

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=91046 Discussion regarding Saturday Night Special within www.dvxuser.com

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0199851/ IMDB listing for Brent Daniels

http://www.brentdanielsmusic.com/ Brent Daniels' official website

http://www.tvtrecords.com/artists/?art_id=76 Hednoize website