Broad Strokes

Broad Strokes is the story of Annie and Austin, two college-aged best friends. It started with a short film - Broad Strokes Part I - that was completed earlier this year, the preview for which can be seen here:

*this clip has some strong language

Unfortunately, we cannot post the film here in its entirety. If you are interested in viewing all of Part I, please contact Phillip Vernon directly at phillipwvernon@gmail.com

THE CURRENT PROJECT

We felt the story of Annie and Austin was meaningful enough that it deserved to be explored with more breadth and depth. We decided to write Broad Strokes Part II and make it as our senior thesis for Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.

Not only will it be bringing many of the same filmmakers together to collaborate again, but it will alleviate some of the production constraints placed on Part I by utilizing the vast crew and equipment available to us as seniors at Dodge College.

With new team members, a larger crew, and bigger budget we aim to tell a more expansive story while keeping the heart of Broad Strokes as the friendship between Annie and Austin.

THE NEXT CHAPTER

Broad Strokes Part II continues the story of Annie and Austin, who are in begrudging attendance at a New Year's Party, treating it with a sense of detached irony. Both are frustrated and lonely, Annie sees her ex-girlfriend with another girl and Austin has no luck in his search for a New Year's romance. The two bicker about their respective problems until separating from annoyance with one another.

Annie confronts her ex, Eliza, in private. In a rehashing of their old fights, the two realize their feelings and attraction for one another has not dissipated.

Meanwhile, Austin flirts with a frumpy stoner named Josh, despite him wanting to avoid more vapid hook ups.

Neither Annie nor Austin are pleased with their New Year's pursuits, coming together at the end of the night with a newfound appreciation for their friendship.

PURPOSE

Broad Strokes is a project that we are all very passionate about -- otherwise we wouldn't be making another one! The reason why we care so much about it are the characters of Annie and Austin. Not only because they have begun to feel like living, breathing people to us, but because of what they represent to us as storytellers.

As any dynamic characters in cinema should be, they are flawed people. However, they are deeply aware of their own and one another's flaws. Instead of hiding behind layers and walls, both Annie and Austin are unafraid to speak their minds, admit their flaws, and be okay with it. Thetone of this project is all about putting the conflict out in the forefront and ensuring that all the comedy and drama is derived directly from character.

This story is also important to us because, although is is about two gay characters, we feel it avoids the box of "queer cinema." The thematic content is intended to avoid being didatic and, in story terms, Annie and Austin's sexuality isn't made to be overly important or consequential.

It is at all not to say that their homosexuality doesn't matter, but it is simply one quality of these varied multi-faceted characters. The goal in this sense is to decentralize straightness, to tell a story where it is not assumed that the characters are straight while also avoiding making it the point that they are not.

Thank you for your interest in this project and we hope you are as excited for Broad Strokes Part II as we are!!