Q&A With a Louisiana Film Prize Top 20 Short Film: ‘The Ninth’

What is your film about?

It's a fictional story set in 1924 about a world-famous sculptor working on his 9th and final piece.

What kind of message are you trying to get across in your film?

Honestly, we just wanted to make a great film. First and foremost as artists we focused on the story and style. If anything, however, the film could be an age-old take of the struggle between an artist and the world.

Where in Northwest Louisiana did you film?

We primarily shot in Shreveport at the LA House of Props on Kings Highway, as well as inside the Kings Highway Christian Church. We also shot near Doyline, at the Fillmore cemetery and the Ashpoint Plantation. 

What were your impressions about Northwest Louisiana, specifically the Shreveport-Bossier area?

This is our second run with the Louisiana Film Prize and it couldn't have gone any better! Everyone was wonderful to work with during our first go around with last years Red River Ode, and this year it was even better. Everyone we worked with and approached in the area was more than willing to help and we couldn't be more grateful! Furthermore, the area is beautiful and diverse. It makes for a great place to scout for locations and is ripe for more film opportunities!

Would you film in this area again?

Of course! We've already scouted the area for other potential projects! 

$50,000 is on the line! What do you plan on doing with the money if you win? 

We are currently working on a proof-of-concept film to pitch a feature. The $50k would be used for that endeavor along with furthering our film career as a whole. We just want to make great movies! 

Why should someone vote for your film?

We put everything we had into The Ninth to make it what it is. As filmmakers who believe in the art of what we are doing, we hope you can look at the craft of our film and get involved with the story, the characters and the world it builds. It is intricate and detailed in many ways and if you can connect with our film and you enjoy it, we would love your vote and support to help us achieve our dreams!

Additional thoughts:

We would like to thank everyone who has made this possible from friends and family to complete strangers who all stepped up to the plate and played ball with us as cast and crew! We may be the filmmakers, but The Ninth wouldn't exist without you!