The History of Hollow Tree Films

 

Hollow Tree Films creates films that have meaning -- stories with purpose. In the short time Hollow Tree Films has been established, we have made great strides in creating thorough, well-crafted films that develop and grow with each passing experience. Our goal is to provide thought provoking and entertaining films that connect with the audience in a personal and engaging style. As a production company primarily composed of younger people, we find life takes us through unique and challenging experiences that we not only want to share with people of our age, but the world as a whole.

As of three years, Hollow Films Tree has made two short films (“One Minute” and “In the Dark”) and one feature length film (“The Road Home”). “One Minute” is a psychological drama that dives into the mind of Dimitri after an unfortunate accident drives him to the point of questioning reality. “In the Dark” is a horror film where a series of connecting events begins to tug at the sanity of the world. “The Road Home” is a feature length drama discovering the relationship between four former friends who face the death of their old friend, Sarah.

Hollow Tree Films prides itself on bringing thought provoking stories, captivating imagery, and most of all, entertainment, to the world.

Throughout it's short history, Hollow Tree Films has gradually evolved from a couple of kids with a camera to a legimate business with sponsership and partnership. Hollow Tree Films has evolved far past everyone's expectations and continues to do so as of this moment. The future is extremely bright for Hollow Tree Films, but every story has a beginning.

A Halloween party. That's all it took. Melissa Sherry was planning her annual Halloween party. She decided to have a movie playing on the television as the party was going. A few weeks before, Michael Sherry approached Brandon Taylor in making a short, two or three minute film that would show appreciation for the Halloween season. However, the future director and writer decided on a much bigger project: a feature length film called "Betrayed". A number of people were casted: Brandon Taylor, Michael Toro, Lauren Stuber being three of them. Production was soon to be shut down. The task proved to be too difficult an undertaking. There was no experience among anyone. "Betrayed" was officially cancelled.

A month later, Michael Sherry decided to make a short film. Written by Brandon Taylor, he, Michael Toro and Lauren Stuber returned to acting to film "One Minute", a short psychological drama about Dimitri. After three months of production and post production, "One Minute" was complete and entered into the Pocono Mountains Film Festival in the summer of 2008. "One Minute" earned three nomination nods: best short, best director and best producer.

During the summer months in 2008, Michael Sherry and Noel Witzke began to write a screenplay about two detectives chasing a killer. While the screenplay was abandoned, Anthony DiMichele and Melanie Padilla were already casted. Their roles eventually switched to that of Erik and Monica. Brandon Taylor was brought back as the writer for "In the Dark". Impressed, Michael Sherry decided to make Brandon Taylor the lead writer from this point on. He was also cast as Jacob along with his younger brother, Zachary Taylor. Samantha Longo was casted as Tori due to her chemistry with Anthony DiMichele. Melissa Sherry was upgraded to producer. Danielle Sinopoli was brought in as script supervisor, Cody McGowan as director of Photography and Noel Witzke returned for make-up. "In the Dark" was entered into the 2009 Pocono Mountains Film Festival and won the award for Best Short Film.

After a hiatus, Hollow Tree Films resumed pre-production for a project called "The Road Home" in March 2009. Michael Toro was brought back as the script editor while Noel Witke was upgraded to director of photography. Kyra Uniejewski was brought in as lead editor. Melissa Sherry became casting director as Michael Sherry continued to direct. Melissa Sherry casted three primary actors: Ryan Castro, Stephanie Carifi and Christina Blas. Michael Sherry had friends Ashton Seiwell and Shannon Kearns, both actors, read for George and Sarah, respectively. With the cast set, Hollow Tree Films went into production during May and ended in July. Composer Stephen Durrant was brought in to create an original score. Post production concluded in October where it was entered in the 2009 Pocono Mountains Film Festival, earning a nomination for Best Film.

Hollow Tree Films is currently in pre-production for their latest film, a feature length film called "Never Too Late." Michael Sherry, Melissa Sherry, Brandon Taylor, Danielle Sinopoli and Michael Toro return to the usual positions. Kyra Uniejewski is being upgraded to the main editor and Noel Witzke will be taking over the position of still photographer. Anthony DiMichele is taking a larger behind the scenes role as the second assistant director, assistant casting director to Melissa Sherry and public relations. Rachel George has recently joined as the production coordinator and Kat Long is the lead stylist.

Hollow Tree Films continues to evolve as a production company and a business. It's members are taking great strides in order to ensure happiness, professionalism and success.