It is with great terror and exhilaration that I can formally announce that Scenes From The Underground, my debut feature-length film as a director, will begin production in just over a month's time. If you've spoken to me at all in my 8 years in New York, odds are I've already blabbed to you about this project. For those who I've not yet annoyed, Scenes From The Underground is a narrative anthology of character-driven vignettes taking place entirely within the many trains, stations, and platforms of the sprawling New York subway system—exploring themes of isolation and missed connection within modern day urban life. Undoubtedly, this film would’ve remained little more than a daydream without the tireless effort of an incredible team of friends and collaborators, whom I must applaud: The combined authorial talents of Donald K. Chang, Christopher Myers, Alex Riad, and Allison Zajac-Batell have resulted in a screenplay which has far exceeded my already-monumental expectations, and whose whip-smart dialogue and lovingly crafted characters I cannot wait to see play out on the big screen... the crucial advice and razor-sharp observations of Andrew Justin Smith who has assisted us in the gargantuan task of casting over 30 speaking roles… the wise and informative guidance of my producer Jean-Raphael Ambron who has taken me under his wing and saved me literal hours of work and metric tons of heartbreak… the endless enthusiasm and creative input of Nathan Shapiro who has been above and beyond my closest ally in dragging this film out of the darkness into the light of reality over the past two years—consequently subjecting him to my bullshit for just as long… all my friends who have spurred me on in this endeavor, and all those I have neglected in my single-minded focus… and last but not least, my loving family who has supported me in all that I do, and whose belief and acceptance in my not being a dentist has propelled me from where I started, making LEGO movies in the basement with Boots the cat, all the way to where I am today. This film is very near and dear to my heart, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to put these stories out into the world. We will not be bugging you with a crowdfunding campaign just yet, but I would appreciate and encourage all of you to follow the film on our corresponding Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages, and spread the word! Be sure to also check out our brand-spanking new website, www.SFTUfilm.com for all the latest updates and information. We can’t wait to share this film with you! - E
