HOW DO YOU WRITE A JOE SCHERMANN SONG
MUSIC | DRAMA | COMEDY| 104 mins | 2012
Amazon Prime
This film took 2 1/2 years from initial idea to final cut. It was ambitious as hell for everyone involved. It was daunting. It was exhausting. It was worth it.
Going into it, my main concern was how to approach making a modern musical for today's audience. I wanted to tip my hat to the films of old while trying to make it accessible for people who say "I don't watch musicals." The thing is though, there's something special about being able to tell stories through song. There's nothing else like it.
Of my 4 previous features, this was the one that touched the most people. It felt surreal traveling from festival to festival and seeing audiences, both young and old, really respond to my take on movie musicals. I'm still in shock in the amount of awards it won. It doesn't feel like any of it really happened. I wasn't used to any of that.
Hell, I don't think I'll ever be.
Writer | Director | Cinematographer | Editor
GARY KING
Music & Lyrics: JOE SCHERMANN
Orchestrations: KEN LAMPL
Starring:
JOE SCHERMANN
CHRISTINA ROSE
DEBBIE WILLIAMS
MARK DICONZO
DARYL RAY CARLILES
JENN DEES
Winner of the top Jury Prize for “Film of the Festival” (Raindance UK), the Audience Award (Phoenix Film Festival) and short listed for IFP’s Gotham Audience Award, Gary King’s “How Do You Write A Joe Schermann Song” is an original musical that takes a unique look at love, artistic inspiration and relationships through a composer’s journey in writing the score to an Off-Broadway show. Critics are calling it “a crowd-pleaser” (indieWIRE) and “a hidden treasure” (Twitch).
When Joe (Joe Schermann) lands an opportunity to write for an Off-Broadway show, he is forced to cast either the love of his life, Evey (Christina Rose) or his newly discovered muse, Summer (Debbie Williams). The realities of show business prove to Joe that writing is easy, living is hard. Filled with “catchy tunes and clever lyrics” (Empire Magazine), this is a cinematic experience you won’t forget.
AWARDS:
Short listed for IFP’s Gotham Audience Award
Film of the Festival (Raindance Film Festival UK)
Dan Harkins Breakthrough Filmmaker Award (Phoenix Film Festival)
Cox Audience Award (Phoenix Film Festival)
Best Director (Flyway Film Festival)
Most Innovative Film (Ft. Lauderdale Int. Film Festival)
Best Film (Idyllwild Film Festival)
Best Director (Idyllwild Film Festival)
Best Soundtrack (Idyllwild Film Festival)
“Passionate, humorous…a crowd-pleaser…the latest film from New York director Gary King will win your heart…” – indieWIRE
“With Broadway razzle-dazzle and more intimate moments, How Do You Write a Joe Schermann Song reimagines a neglected genre for 21st century audiences…” — Calgary International Film Festival
“a delightful film….divine music, charming performances…a hidden treasure…” – SCREEN ANARCHY
“…full of catchy tunes and clever lyrics…good old-fashioned entertainment…” – EMPIRE MAGAZINE
“The film is an emotional rollercoaster that will have you under its spell days after you leave the cinema” – SEX IN A SUBMARINE
“.. a proper virtuoso piece of indie filmmaking – a joyous, toe-tapping musical that razzles and dazzles with the best of them…” - I-FLICKS
“…a wildly original experience…” – EXAMINER
“…plays out like a fantastic Broadway musical. Amazing catchy songs, and beautiful performances from the entire cast. It definitely has the staying power to stand up with the existing greats out there. Musicals are back!” – TICKETS STUBS ENTERTAINMENT