Come the Nightfall, 23min., USA
Directed by Tom Michaels
A wealthy licentious offers a lift to a beautiful femme fatale in the middle of a deserted road with a shocking aftermath.

http://www.orzelfilms.com/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Prior to Come the Nightfall, I made two other short films and I wasn’t quite satisfied with the results, so I pondered for some time whether I should jump straight to Independent features or make one more short film. After some internal deliberation I decided to make one more short. I quickly came up with a fairly solid storyline and as they say the rest is history.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

From start to finish which included post production as well, it took 6 month give or take.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Old School

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

The biggest obstacle was time as we were shooting all night into the morning, so time was of the essence. Also I do have to mention needing the exact locations for our project, particularly the main residence of the story proved a bit challenging, but in the end it all worked out.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Well one is always nervous prior to certain situations like this. I always hope and pray, my film is enjoyed by audiences and as luck would have it, Come the Nightfall was well received by the audience.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I’ve always wanted to be an actor first and foremost but I remember being in acting school and listening to the other students vent their frustration out on how they were constantly auditioning and not getting anything. The same time, I was already mapping my future out. I said to myself, ” You know Tom, it’s best to learn the other side of the business, because it can increase your chances of success.” After I graduated from acting school. I did some minor work and that’s when I applied for Film School and was eventually accepted into the USC Cinematic Arts Program. That was a big wake up call for me.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

This is such a tough question. Well I would say this, my favorite film of all time is North by Northwest. I really enjoy this movie. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve watched it, but it’s been quite a lot.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I haven’t given this much thought. I think what you guys are doing is wonderful. providing us filmmakers with video audience feedback. I think that it is very valuable to a filmmaker where they can sit and listen to a paying audience member speak of your work. With that being said, film festivals around the world operate differently from one another with their own set of rules. Some I disagree with and some I don’t.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

So far the platform has worked flawlessly for me.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I am usually a very clean eater but once a while I have a cheat meal and my favorite cheat meal would be Pizza.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

At my production company website www.orzelfilms.com , we have numerous film TV shows in the works. Currently in pre-production for two films in which I will be directing and starring next year. They are Independent features. We are going theatrical.