If you have a title, a plot will come.
That’s according to director Chris LaMartina, who will premiere his latest horror flick, “One Foot in the Grave,” at the first of Creative Alliance’s 2009 screenings.
For his comedy-horror short, LaMartina and his writing partner, Jimmy George, went through a dictionary of clichs, he said. “We thought if we called it ‘One Foot in the Grave,’ it would have to be about a killer foot.”
» Venue: Creative Alliance at The Patterson
3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore
» When: 8 p.m. Jan 9
» Tickets: $10 for nonmembers, $8 for members
» Info: 410-276-1651, www.creativealliance.org
CAmm Cine Lounge
» Venue: Creative Alliance
» When: 7 p.m. the first Friday of every month through April
» Tickets: $8 nonmembers, $6 members
To learn more about renting film equipment, using editing facilities or becoming a MovieMakers member, visit www.creativealliance.org/workshops/equipment.html.
The intentionally goofy and gory flick, which LaMartina describes as Mel Brooks meets “The Evil Dead,” begins with a ballerina who looses her foot and boyfriend after a tragedy occurs. The town witch resurrects the foot, which then seeks revenge on all who wronged her.
“We cram as much horrible pun-style humor into the movie as possible,” LaMartina said. “We have a Dr. Scholl, and the ballerina’s boyfriend has a foot fetish. He even watches a video called ‘Toes and Hoes.’ “
At age 23, LaMartina, a Towson University graduate, has directed three feature-length films, including the soon-to-be-released-on-DVD “Grave Mistakes,” showing at the Creative Alliance following “One Foot in the Grave.”
Members of Creative Alliance’s MovieMakers program select films for screenings and organize what’s billed as “the hottest indie film event in town” every first Friday of the month January through April. There, you can see and discuss filmmakers’ new films and works in progress.
“I don’t think there’s anything like the MovieMakers’ program [elsewhere] in the state,” LaMartina said.
“It’s a real community of artists who are willing to help each other. … The film scene in Baltimore is a lot bigger than most people think. Once people start catching on, they’ll realize there’s a lot going on here.”
MovieMakers takes a four-prong approach, said Kristen Anchor, director of the program. “We’re a screening venue where filmmakers get feedback and audiences can see the movies before they come out. We offer an education through workshops and discussions. We give filmmakers, actors and people who love movies a place to network and we provide access to equipment and editing facilities.”
