What about Montana inspired you to create your short?
Montana is an inherently inspiring place. If I were to list the ways, I’d be here all day. While the sweeping wild landscapes and the animals that inhabit them are awe-worthy, I find the people of Big Sky Country equally stirring because of their general enthusiasm for life and the passion with which they pursue their crafts. The subject of my short, Tom Mosher, fits this description to the utmost. I don’t think you end up in this state by accident. To succeed in Montana, you have to make a conscious decision to build a life here and must truly be dedicated to your “thing,” whatever it may be. People recognize and appreciate passion here.
What other videos competing in Real Montana did you enjoy and why?
All of the films that qualified for the final round were certainly among my favorites. Two others I particularly enjoyed that did not place are The Art of Roadkill by Soundcolor Studios and The Flathead Lake Monster by Connor Welles. Both exhibited excellent production value and, more importantly, well-executed and original approaches to intriguing topics. Both films also truly felt like trailers to full-blown feature films. I wanted to see more!
Tom Mosher star of “Forging the Dragon”
What is your next project?
I am continuing work on Forging the Dragon to make it a longer documentary film. I am also wading through the editing of a documentary piece on a man named Andy Hill, who made a big “splash” in a Montana media a couple summers ago when a bridge-jumper severely injured Andy after landing on him while he was tubing on the Clark Fork river. The piece recreates the incident and chronicles the legal aftermath and shows Andy’s recovery. As for new projects, I’m not sure what’s next just yet, but I know Montana will re-inspire me when the time comes.
What do you plan to do with the prize money if you win?
Some prize winnings would go towards film equipment so I can continue to increase the overall production value of my work. I’d also donate some of the money to other local film production outlets who have particularly inspring projects and need help. This is also, of course, incredible exposure for both myself and Tom Mosher, the maker of dragons. The money would also go a long way to support Tom Mosher and enable him to tackle even more impressive projects.
Check out Hunter D’Antuono’s film “Forging the Dragon” competing in the Real Montana finals!
The Audience Awards is film’s social network connecting audiences to films, filmmakers, film schools and film festivals. The Audience Awards hosts short film competitions where the audience chooses the best films.
