There are many worthwhile films to check out at the Cinequest film festival--which officially started yesterday--but the one below is well worth highlighting for several reasons:
1.) It's a world premier. The first time the public will get to see the movie will be at Cinequest in San Jose.
2.) The producer was born and raised in San Jose and went to SJSU.
3.) The script was bought off of craigslist for $500 and the writer and director are meeting for the first time at Cinequest.
4.) The director, cast, and crew will be at each of the screenings for Q&A after the movie.
Sounds pretty interesting already without knowing anything about the movie itself! Now check out the trailer and press release below (or for the website
click here).
Worth the Weight - Tease from
Ryan Sage on
Vimeo.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CRAIGSLIST BUY LANDS DIRECTOR AT CINEQUEST
FROM A SCRIPT BOUGHT OFF CRAIGSLIST FOR $500,
“WORTH THE WEIGHT” PREMIERES AT CINEQUEST MARCH 2
SAN JOSE, CALIF. – February 6, 2012 -Craigslist, the go-to website for finding jobs,
housing and deals, offered an unexpected opportunity for LA director Ryan Sage and
Chicago writer Dale Zawada to realize their dream of making a movie. “Worth the
Weight,” the story of one man’s quest to find love while on the challenging journey of
major weight loss, will have its World Premiere at San Jose’s Cinequest film festival
Friday, March 2nd, capping off a year long production that began with a short post on
Craigslist and culminating with the writer and director meeting in person for the first time
at the festival.
“I can’t say I was expecting to sell my first script on Craigslist,” said Zawada. “But my
goal was always to get my script into the hands of some talented and passionate
filmmakers and this just seemed like the right opportunity.”
Sage, a promo writer/producer for ABC’s hit show “Modern Family,” who has directed
many award-winning shorts, commercials and TV pilots, was looking to take on the
challenge of a feature length film. Unfortunately, he lacked the right script. Sifting
through dozens of responses from his Craigslist post, Sage discovered “Worth the
Weight” submitted by Chicago-based stand up comic Zawada and knew he had found
something special.
“What I loved was the story felt very real to me and it was peppered with these really
funny moments,” said Sage. “It really captured the ups and downs and realization by the
main characters that people are defined by more than just their size. Their hopes, their
outlook on life and the way they see themselves are just as important. It’s an inspiring
message that I think will resonate for people, with or without weight issues.”
“Worth the Weight” depicts the hard road of weight loss coupled with a journey to find
love – a story many can relate to. Steering clear of the standard transformation formula
seen on many current television shows such as “Biggest Loser,” the hero finds
acceptance – and love – in unexpected places.
Another reality for Sage was the need to make this film on a tight budget. Shooting on
weekends allowed cast and crew to keep their day jobs and also gave lead actors
Robbie Kaller and Jillian Leigh more time to delve into their characters. Zawada would
also use this time to hone the script from Chicago after getting notes on production from
the weekend’s prior shoot.
“I really think the extra work we put in paid off,” said Sage. “The actors give some truly
break out performances with amazing subtlety and nuance. I wouldn’t be surprised if
they were both household names within ten years.”
The festival will have additional special meaning for both Sage and producer, Kristina
Denton. Denton was born and raised in San Jose, and graduated from San Jose State
University in 2007. Sage spent five years studying film at the Academy of Art University
in San Francisco and spent every summer growing up at his grandparent’s house in
nearby Santa Rosa.
“This is really special for both Kristina and I and we can’t think of a better festival to
premiere at,” said Sage. “It’s basically a homecoming, only without the tiara. Although
I’m packing mine just in case.”
“Worth the Weight” Cinequest Screenings:
Friday, March 2nd -9:45pm (WORLD PREMIERE) | San Jose Repertory Theatre
Sunday, March 4th -4:00pm | Camera 12, San Jose, CA
Wednesday, March 7th -11:45am | Camera 12, San Jose, CA
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