The leaders of international creative company Cutters Studios are very proud to join their fellow filmmakers in celebrating the World Premiere for indie narrative feature "before/during/after" as part of the ninth annual Greenpoint Film Festival, running Aug. 1-9 in Brooklyn.
To safely create new experiences uniting film lovers in controlled, VIP entertainment environments, this year's Festival will be staged as a drive-in. Hosted by Broadway Stages and The Foundry LIC, festivities will take place at 211 Meserole Avenue, Brooklyn, with special guest speakers, socially distanced gatherings, and extraordinary attention to safety (Covid-19 guidelines here: https://greenpointfilmfestival.org/covid-19-guidelines/).
While the Festival is also set to unveil dozens of thoughtfully programmed shorts, "before/during/after" is one of eight features in competition. Written by and starring "Orange is the New Black"'s Finnerty Steeves, it was directed by Stephen Kunken and Jack Lewars. A co-production of Marsha's Daughter Productions, Indie City Films and Cutters Studios featuring an incredible ensemble cast on camera and behind the scenes, "before/during/after" is a smashing testament to a deep pool of passionate, dedicated NYC talents.
"We are so excited that we are able to share the film for the first time in a safe way that will still allow us the thrill of a traditional cinema premiere," Steeves commented. "Most of our incredible cast and crew live in Brooklyn, so a Drive-In in Greenpoint with a gigantic screen, food trucks and the ability to share laughter between car windows… feels somehow perfect."
Standing behind "before/during/after" is Producer Katie Hyde and Executive Producers Elena Berger, Jamie Zelermyer and Elizabeth Krajewski. "This beautiful film, with a strong heart and story, made by a fiercely courageous writer and actor, was over three years in the making," said Krajewski, who is the EP for Cutters Studios in New York. "As a first-time filmmaker, Finnerty pulled many of us into experiences we've never had before. After reading the script and sensing her contagious drive, we were all-in."
With Krajewski and Cutters onboard from the start, the studio's talents were instrumental in the film's post-production artistry. Among them, staff talents Scott Gibney and Peter Zachwieja teamed up as co-editors, with many other Cutters editors and assistants also contributing. Titles and visual effects are courtesy of Flavor, while credit for finishing and the digital intermediate go to Technicolor's Postworks. Post-audio was led by Another Country's Supervising Sound Editor and Re-Recording Mixer Erik Widmark.
"When it comes to indie filmmaking, the bond between collaborators is always incredibly strong," explained Zachwieja, a New York University graduate whose editorial credits also include Vanessa Roth's award-winning documentary, "Liberation Heroes: The Last Eyewitnesses." "I think this film reflects the reality of many different people sharing a singular vision of creating a work of art. It stands as a testament to the power of a small, dedicated team, and what they can accomplish when they pour love, creativity, and effort into a project."
On the filmmaking experience, co-editor Gibney added, "Seeing Finnerty's smile and tears of joy roll down her face when we finally had a finished product is something I will never forget."
The World Premiere for "before/during/after" is set for the evening of Friday, August 7. While that screening is reportedly sold-out, the Greenpoint Film Festival site provides updated program and ticket information: https://greenpointfilmfestival.org
Next up, the West Coast Premiere is actively being discussed. To stay informed about all the new developments, please visit https://beforeduringafterthefilm.com, and follow "before/during/after" on social media.
About Cutters and Cutters Studios
Cutters Studios is the international creative company that provides top-tier production, post-production and creative development services for causes, brands, studios, networks and agencies. Since launching in Chicago in 1980, Cutters has earned a reputation for extraordinary editing and post-production artistry. With its world-class editorial talents, family values and strong leadership, Cutters Studios now operates in top U.S. advertising markets and Tokyo. Through partner companies Cutters, Dictionary Films, Flavor and Another Country, Cutters Studios represents unlimited production capabilities. More information: http://www.cuttersstudios.com.
