Press Release from Buzz Productions
Buzz Productions, in partnership with Contraction Entertainment, is proud to announce that its debut feature film MISSING PIECES has been released to the public on the film’s official website – www.FindYourMissingPieces.com
The production was an elaborate community effort of film-lovers and friends who forfeited payment to contribute to the project.
The novice efforts of crew were supported by veteran actors, Mark Boone Jr. (BATMAN BEGINS, ‘Sons of Anarchy’, MEMENTO) and Melora Walters (MAGNOLIA, ‘Big Love,’ COLD MOUNTAIN), both of whom won awards for their performances.
During Walter’s acceptance speech, she commented that being part of the film was an award in itself. “The tiny crew created MISSING PIECES with seemingly nothing, and it truly shows the magic of cinema and passionate filmmaking,” she says.
In addition to numerous five-star reviews, MISSING PIECES received a number of official accolades including Director’s Award (Arizona Underground Film Festival), Best Micro Budget Feature Film (Las Vegas Indie Film Festival), Honorable Mention – Ensemble Performance (Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival), Audience Choice Award, (George Lindsey Film Festival), Merit Award (Lucerne International Film Festival) and was one of only six films selected to screen at the Melbourne International Film Festival 37ºSouth: BreakThru Screenings.
The production was spearheaded by Alabama writer/director Kenton Bartlett, who started the project at age 19, filmed it at 21, and is currently 24 years old. “I am really excited about releasing MISSING PIECES this way. So many people worked tirelessly on this project and we just want to make it easy for people to find, watch and share,” Bartlett says. “If audiences love the film, we would of course appreciate any donations.”
Bartlett, who is currently writing a number of future projects, cites the for-free releases of some of his favorite artists as inspiration for this distribution approach. “I really love The Milk Carton Kids, Lord Huron, David Ramirez and so many other bands that are giving away their music these days," Bartlett says. "We acknowledge that it’s not an ideal scenario or even completely practical, but it does help spread the art and that’s always been one of our goals.”
According to MISSING PIECES Executive Producer Estelle Buzzard, the final film was made with $100,000, but she estimates it would have cost over a million dollars without the in-kind donations of services and supplies.
“This film could not have been made without all these wonderful people donating their time and expertise. While it would have been wonderful to see it in cinemas, our priority now is to share it with as many people as possible,” Buzzard says.
“MISSING PIECES is testament to Kenton’s ability to produce something beautiful on a shoestring budget; hopefully it inspires other budding filmmakers to take a leap of faith with their projects. If nothing else, it provides a wonderful example of his work for potential filmmaking partners. I personally look forward to seeing what Kenton can create with a million dollar budget.”
Buzzard recently returned from the prestigious Sundance Film Festival where THE LIFEGUARD – a film starring Kristen Bell and Mamie Gummer on which she is an Executive Producer – screened in the Official Competition to sell-out crowds.
She is currently shooting a supernatural thriller feature FORESHADOW (starring Myles Pollard and Justin Burford), and is in pre-production for a short film Tango Underpants (starring Emma Booth), and is seeking investors for Bartlett’s next project, GIFTED.