Expired December 14, 2020 3:00 AM
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In the wake of a messy break-up, Andy Escobedo decides to start fresh, relocating from Austin to Los Angeles. Eager to make new connections, he befriends Roger, an unusual rideshare driver. But when Roger’s behavior gets too strange for comfort, Andy blows him off, choosing to focus on a budding relationship with Sam. This unhinges Roger, who begins to torment Andy, ensuring that his stay in L.A. is short-lived.
- Runtime1 hr 30 min
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- NoteLos Angeles, CA; Director Biography - Tyler Savage Tyler’s obsession with storytelling developed at a very young age. Growing up as an only child, he spent countless hours alone -- well, not entirely alone. He had the classics to keep him company. He would watch ‘em by the hundreds, developing a special affinity for gangster and noir films in particular. After making dozens of short films throughout his youth, he was accepted into NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. After college, he returned to LA, where he landed a job in development at Warner Bros. Working his way to story editor, he soon realized that the studio development world wasn’t what he’d hoped it would be. He left LA once more when he landed a production assistant job on the set of Terrence Malick’s To The Wonder. Moving to Austin for several years, he served as the director’s right hand on four back-to-back productions. But when a manager took interest in one of his spec screenplays, he returned to his hometown to pursue writing full time. He and his writing partner had some mild success with a few adaptation and re-write jobs, but Tyler ultimately knew he wanted to make his own films. Director Statement With this second feature, I wanted to reconnect with what I’ve always loved about film. While I’m proud of my first effort (Inheritance, 2017), I was afraid of failure, which made me too serious or self-aware throughout the process. With Blinders, I knew I had to find a way to get back to the feelings that drew me to film production in the first place. Collaboration is truly joyful, and that joy should ultimately be seen on the screen, no matter what type of story you’re telling. It was essential that I had a theme that I could really relate to and sink my teeth into, but it was also important that I enjoy the process of crafting a story that both honored the mysteries and thrillers that inspired me to become a filmmaker in the first place and allowed me to say something new. For reasons that aren’t entirely clear to me, I’ve always gravitated toward stories that contain a certain level of moral ambiguity. It might come partially from growing up in Los Angeles, a city where it seems that almost every person you meet has an agenda. Or it could be the way that my parents always strived to maintain a social image that was often inauthentic. But we live in a culture that is full of deceit and misrepresentation. Social media and technology have had an incalculable and permanent impact on how we relate to each other as people. It feels like we live in a world where appearance has won out over reality, where truth is cheap and irrelevant, and where the bad guys win because they know how to manipulate our collective vulnerabilities. My hope is that when people watch Blinders they’re encouraged to think about the times we live in, and the aspects of ourselves that we might be losing touch with. But I also obviously hope they’re simply entertained, because it’s that spoonful of sugar that helps the medicine go down. It’s wonderfully strange how created realities give us the freedom to look at things in a new light. I’m incredibly grateful for the support I’ve had in making this project. Above all else, doing creative work with people you care for and respect is the greatest gift a person could ask for. Warm regards, Tyler Savage
- DirectorTyler Savage
1 film in package
This virtual screening is eligible for audience awards! Unlock it to cast your vote.
Protected ContentThis content can only be viewed in authorized regions: North America, Texas.
In the wake of a messy break-up, Andy Escobedo decides to start fresh, relocating from Austin to Los Angeles. Eager to make new connections, he befriends Roger, an unusual rideshare driver. But when Roger’s behavior gets too strange for comfort, Andy blows him off, choosing to focus on a budding relationship with Sam. This unhinges Roger, who begins to torment Andy, ensuring that his stay in L.A. is short-lived.
- Runtime1 hr 30 min
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- NoteLos Angeles, CA; Director Biography - Tyler Savage Tyler’s obsession with storytelling developed at a very young age. Growing up as an only child, he spent countless hours alone -- well, not entirely alone. He had the classics to keep him company. He would watch ‘em by the hundreds, developing a special affinity for gangster and noir films in particular. After making dozens of short films throughout his youth, he was accepted into NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. After college, he returned to LA, where he landed a job in development at Warner Bros. Working his way to story editor, he soon realized that the studio development world wasn’t what he’d hoped it would be. He left LA once more when he landed a production assistant job on the set of Terrence Malick’s To The Wonder. Moving to Austin for several years, he served as the director’s right hand on four back-to-back productions. But when a manager took interest in one of his spec screenplays, he returned to his hometown to pursue writing full time. He and his writing partner had some mild success with a few adaptation and re-write jobs, but Tyler ultimately knew he wanted to make his own films. Director Statement With this second feature, I wanted to reconnect with what I’ve always loved about film. While I’m proud of my first effort (Inheritance, 2017), I was afraid of failure, which made me too serious or self-aware throughout the process. With Blinders, I knew I had to find a way to get back to the feelings that drew me to film production in the first place. Collaboration is truly joyful, and that joy should ultimately be seen on the screen, no matter what type of story you’re telling. It was essential that I had a theme that I could really relate to and sink my teeth into, but it was also important that I enjoy the process of crafting a story that both honored the mysteries and thrillers that inspired me to become a filmmaker in the first place and allowed me to say something new. For reasons that aren’t entirely clear to me, I’ve always gravitated toward stories that contain a certain level of moral ambiguity. It might come partially from growing up in Los Angeles, a city where it seems that almost every person you meet has an agenda. Or it could be the way that my parents always strived to maintain a social image that was often inauthentic. But we live in a culture that is full of deceit and misrepresentation. Social media and technology have had an incalculable and permanent impact on how we relate to each other as people. It feels like we live in a world where appearance has won out over reality, where truth is cheap and irrelevant, and where the bad guys win because they know how to manipulate our collective vulnerabilities. My hope is that when people watch Blinders they’re encouraged to think about the times we live in, and the aspects of ourselves that we might be losing touch with. But I also obviously hope they’re simply entertained, because it’s that spoonful of sugar that helps the medicine go down. It’s wonderfully strange how created realities give us the freedom to look at things in a new light. I’m incredibly grateful for the support I’ve had in making this project. Above all else, doing creative work with people you care for and respect is the greatest gift a person could ask for. Warm regards, Tyler Savage
- DirectorTyler Savage