In a room distinctly brimming with
quick wit, attentive detail, and an intoxicatingly captivating sense of humor,
I recently found myself stifling my own laughter while observing a film shoot
with Paracelsus Films. Embracing a
distinct comical undertone akin to Monty Python, alongside a provocative
improvisational style, the three-man crew representing Paracelsus Films
proceeded to set-up and shoot a sharply written and cleverly acted sketch,
intended to be part of their original sketch-comedy film “How to Win the
Internet: And Other Questionable Endeavors,” currently in-production. This film is an especially collaborative and
close-to-the-heart project for these filmmakers, who all recall warm and
inspirational thoughts and nostalgia for sketch comedy groups and films such as
Monty Python and Mystery Science Theater.
In joining the film shoot with Vincent C. Morreale, Paul Ezzy, and
Dennis Hurley, it became abundantly clear that Paracelsus Films was driven by a
poignantly sincere and thrillingly rare love for filmmaking.
As I watched the film production
unfold, immersing myself in the vividly collaborative atmosphere, I became
engrossed with the original sketch itself as well as the wildly efficient
production; Vincent Morreale simultaneously directing, operating the camera,
and checking sound, while Paul Ezzy and Dennis Hurley aptly riffed with one
another, exchanging a consistent rapid-fire of hilarity, providing the
distinctly exciting production with nothing less than a palpably mesmerizing
ambiance. I soon found myself in a room
flooded with laughter, pondering the possibilities of the final film. Observing these filmmakers at work was
comparable to taking refuge in the diegesis of an original Paracelsus film.
With a visceral edge to their narratives, a stylistic swagger in the
performances, and a spell-binding fluidity in their execution, these filmmakers
embolden a sense of filmic tactility; thriving with a unique tone, an
oscillation of energy, and a character-driven eccentricity.
Although tackling a diverse variety
of genres, films, and structures other than sketch comedy, the group emphasized
their resilient passion for this latest endeavor. Vincent Morreale, the artistic director for Paracelsus films,
passionately stressed that this current film production – “How to Win the
Internet” - boiled down to a poetic simplicity, explaining candidly and
genuinely that the film was “all about making funny sketches and coming
together.” Morreale emphasized the way in which he worked and bonded with his
fellow filmmakers and collaborators as a family; each of whom would gladly join
to contribute to a film at a moment’s notice.
Paul Ezzy – an actor, writer, and the Director of Photography for
Paracelsus Films – articulated his enthusiasm for comedic filmmaking and sketch
comedy. Dennis Hurley - a writer, actor
and self-proclaimed “sketch-comedy addict” – specifically noted his love for
older Jerry Zucker films, such as Kentucky
Fried Movie and Top Secret! Having been a member of multiple improvisational
groups, including “Improv Boston,” Hurley spoke exuberantly about his love for
sketch comedy. Dennis, who wrote, filmed and acted in his own satire of “The
DaVinci Code” called “The Albino Code,” which subsequently went viral and
secured him an appearance on The Daily
Show in March of 2010, joked that he has “tried to win the internet”
himself. This inherently driven group of
filmmakers that comprises Paracelsus Films effectively combines harmonious
comical tastes, congruous visions, and curiously potent styles to create a sort
of cinematic synergy. This collaborative
intertwining of engaging methods, honed styles and individual fortes alongside
a shared embrace of humor and story-telling yields a uniquely affecting result;
dynamic filmmaking.
Whimsically balanced between
joviality and a provocative determination, these film-makers are firmly rooted
in an unmistakable passion for film-making.
Consistently producing with little or no funding, Paracelsus Films
provokes the inevitable question that Independent film-makers, producers, and
bigwig professionals often ask; how would a strikingly self-sufficient
production crew thrive with an even slightly increased budget? As a solo, independent film-maker myself, the
enduring question resounds; how dynamically enhanced would the cinematic,
visceral and narrative results of a self-sustained production crew be? This
question enlivens an essential concept for film-makers, financiers, and
producers alike; the impact of a fully-realized potential. With a sense of profundity in their drive, a
sharp poignancy in their collaboration, and a rarity in their efficiency,
Paracelsus Films exemplifies the thrilling aptitude and subtle force of
independent film.
If you’d like to gain a glimpse into some recent Paracelsus
Films productions, you can check out their 2011 promotional reel here
If you’d like to learn more about Paracelsus Films, you can
visit their website at http://www.paracelsusfilms.com/
