Local Filmmaker Running Down A Dream

Christian Nilsson understands filmmaking is a tough business. On Thursday, the recent college graduate is holding a screening of his short films to raise money for a career opportunity in California.

"Gas alone is $600," Nilsson said. "I have a great opportunity to work with a commercial producer in California based on a recommendation. But, first, I have to get there."

 "An Evening of Short Films" will be held at the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall on Thursday at 8 p.m. There will be seven original films screened. All were made by Nilsson.

This includes "Looney In A Strait Jacket" which was screened at the 2009 Cannes Short Film Corner in France. Also screening is "The Adventures of Demitri Jones" which won Best Film at the Five Towns Film Festival. The evening includes the most recent film made by Nilsson, "#8; or Concerning the Events on the Bridge."

Nilsson's journey from film student at Five Towns College to industry profession began with a submission to the 2009 Cannes Short Film Corner category of the famous Cannes Film Festival in France. The film was submitted as part of Nilsson's push to get his films before the public.

When the film was accepted, Nilsson didn't think he could afford to attend. A colleague knew how to track down travel deals and Nilsson found himself attending the film festival on a shoestring. While there, he networked and then networked some more.

"I was a real fish out of water," he said. "I didn't speak the language and couldn't believe I was even there. I tried to meet as many people as possible to make contacts."

A year later, Nilsson was working in Manhattan for Fuse.tv. The Independent Film Channel has offices in the same building. An email inquiry to IFC led Nilsson to reconnect with the contact he met in France.

"He was working one floor above me," Nilsson. "It was a weird happenstance that my email inquiry led to the one contact I met in person in France."

The meeting led to a referral to an IFC executive. He agreed to meet Nilsson for one hour to discuss ways Nilsson could break into the industry. Two-and-a-half hours later, a phone call was placed to a commercial producer in Los Angeles with a job opening. The position wasn't a good fit but the producer decided to hire Nilsson as production assistance since the recommendation was a strong one, Nilsson said.

The job is waiting until Nilsson can get there to claim it, he said.  A phone to his mother's cousin netted an offer of lodging nearby. Now the only thing standing in the way was money needed to drive to California.

Holding a benefit film screening seemed the perfect solution, Nilsson said. He was already planning to hold a screening to thank area community members for their financial support for his senior film project, Nilsson said.

To raise those funds, he held a screening last summer at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center. The money was used for production costs for "The Adventures of Demitri Jones." The film was shot in High Definition and included bells and whistles not found in his other films, he said. It is included in Thursday's screening. The other films are shot on film and digital.

To combine raising funds and giving thanks, Nilsson decided to make admission affordable. Tickets are $12 at the door. Advance tickets are $10. They are available at the East End Arts Council or The Open Book in Westhampton Beach. The Vail-Leavitt lowered its rental rate to help Nilsson. He hopes to raise $1,000 to pay for the rental and put money in his pocket.

"I wanted to show the community my senior thesis so they could see what I did with the money they donated," Nilsson said. "When the cross country opportunity came up, I thought I'd make it a fundraiser and show all my films so people can see what I can do."

Determination will continue to serve him well in Los Angeles, Nilsson said. "I'm not shy to pitch myself," he said. "I'll continue to network and show people what I can do."

Nilsson has been interested in filmmaking since childhood. He honed his theater skills while attending Westhampton Beach High School. Nilsson was nominated for four Teeny Awards and won the Award twice. The Teeny Awards is a student theater recognition program run by the East End Arts Council.

Nilsson does not appear in most of his films. The only exception is The Martyr." Separately, his acting can be seen in episodes of the weekly web series "Oh, Inverted World." The series launched in November. See www.ohinvertedseries.com for details.