Today we’d like to introduce you to On the Dying Grass Nicholas, Augustus, Brendan
Hi On the Dying Grass, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Our trio has been making short films since our first year at Vanderbilt. The three of us grew up with films as a primary language in our lives. Despite this, we each explored different avenues while in college. I (Nicholas) majored in Computer Science, Augustus in Economics and History, and Brendan in English. However, the three of us wanted to do more with film and decided to stop waiting around for an opportunity and make something on our own. We have always been leaders in making films on our own and inspiring our peers to do the same. We created our most recent project, On the Dying Grass, after graduating from Vanderbilt University last spring and being launched into an industry that went on strike regarding artificial intelligence. Like many people, we felt confused about our place in an industry we fear is starting to move to technology and AI as a replacement for artists and new talent. With the help of ArtLab and the Wondry at Vanderbilt University, we spoke to science professors at the school about what it would mean to make a short film that followed a character very much like ourselves who is struggling to find her place when confronted about representing an AI version of her recently deceased client and friend. That summer, we created a fifteen-minute short film for “On the Dying Grass.” We have been sending our short film to festivals around the world. The film has been awarded at the Beverly Hills Film Festival and WorldFest Houston International Film Festival.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Our biggest struggle was creating films on our own and proving to others that we had something of value to say and create. Looking back at our first film together, “Breakout Breakup,” we had to figure out how to run a set as professionally as possible through YouTube videos and watching our filmmaking idols, who were making films on a massive scale. Slowly, we were able to hone in on the craft and gain confidence in the creative process. Even now, we are doing big things on a small budget. This meant dragging hundred pounds of equipment through NYC subways in ninety-degree weather over the summer while working on “On the Dying Grass.” However, we couldn’t be happier and love what we are doing and that we have support from people in the films we are making.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We are student filmmakers, but we see ourselves as professionals in the industry. We never let the title of being a “student” or our age stop us from dreaming big and achieving big things with our work. The three of us take on the roles of Director, Producer, Writer, and whatever other hats we need to wear for what the project calls for. We make films that people haven’t seen since we want to combat Hollywood’s repetitive and uninspired cycle of films. We are proud of how far we’ve come in the last couple of years, and we know that each project will be bigger and push the boundaries of filmmaking. We are vocal about our generation’s voice and having younger talent motivated to tell stories that will shape the future of filmmaking.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Since we are young, we have been learning every single day, and I expect that we will continue to learn as long as we keep making films. So far, the most important lesson has been to lean into discomfort and chase the projects that are hard to make and require 110% from each of us. No one said that filmmaking was easy, so we challenge ourselves daily to create inspiring and unique content.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthedyinggrass/, https://www.instagram.com/nickg1401/, https://www.instagram.com/brendan.wendlandt/, https://www.instagram.com/gus.boettcher/
