by Rosalie Kicks, Old Sport

Who is IAN KIMBLE?

Before I met this dude, I had a mental picture of a character drawn up based on his last name, KIMBLE. I had immediately thought of Dr. Richard Kimble - ya know the fugitive guy that Harrison Ford plays that chases down the one armed man that killed his wife. Yes! That dude. I had this entire story worked out - Ian was on the run from the law, but is not just any regular fugitive - nah, he is a FILM FUGITIVE. A guerilla style filmmaker - sidenote: For those not familiar with this term, it is someone characterized as shooting low budget indie flicks, with skeleton crews and using any props/equipment that they can get their paws on and of corpse there are no permits involved in this endeavor; i.e. Edward D. Wood Jr. - on the run from the law for filming in a city park without a permit.

Turns out that part of this back story is true - not the running from the law part (as far as I know), but definitely the part about doing whatever it takes in the name of movies.

My film partnership with Ian Kimble began after a tweet. I chirped a message out to the universe that I was making a film and needed help.I received a number of responses from films pals excited to assist me with this magical movie adventure. Ian was one of them.

We agreed to meet at this hip vegan coffee shop, Grindcore House. From the moment I met Ian, I knew he was absolutely bananas. This should not be seen as a negative, I saw this trait as extremely promising for a new found film pal. Making indie flicks requires a certain kind of stamina, one which has a high threshold for pain and suffering. It requires long hours, lack of sleep and social life and a heck of a lot of determination. People will try to tame you along the way but you have to just keep believing in the dream, you must remain WILD.

For those that know me personally, I too would also be described as certifiably bananas. Here’s the thing though, I know film people and I had a sense about Ian - he was film. He seemed like the type of guy that would understand there was a method to my madness and would not question me, when I instruct him to pour pizza sauce into scientific labware as preparation for our next scene. He will understand that what he is doing is for the motion picture. He respects the PICTURE.

This is why after seven minutes of conversing with him that I knew he was absolutely bonkers and that I was going to hire him on as a producer for my film. All joking aside, listening to this guy talk about his film, Dead Giveaway, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to know he was dedicated. There is no other way to describe someone that was able to successfully write and direct a feature film, all while working a full time day job, but dedication. There is also the possibility that he may have caught the contagious disease known as the “film bug”. This epidemic has affected many persons of of all ages causing them to eat, sleep and breathe film 24/7 and it occurs completely out of the blue. As Ian puts it, “I’m not sure if there was ever a day that I decided to do this. I just have always needed to do it. I feel like I don’t really have a choice. I just… have to.”

In 2013, he started a production company, Shoestring Gold with some of his other local film pals. Together they made several shorts, including what now has become his feature debut, Dead Giveaway. After two years of crowdfunding, pre and post production, he is ready to celebrate the world premiere of Dead Giveaway at the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival on May 10. Dead Giveaway centers around the story of two friends, Jill and Lia. After a heavy Saturday night of partying, twenty-something, Jill (Elena Camp) wakes up with one mission on her mind, BRUNCH. There’s just one problem - she didn’t wake up alone. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) the person is dead. There’s only one thing to do when one finds themselves on a Sunday morning with a new corpse pal and stubborn blood stains on their favorite dress that they can’t get out… they text their best friend. When Lia (Kristin Foreman-Spence) shows up on the scene, the two attempt to piece together the previous night’s events, while trying to decide the best way to ditch their new found friend. The banter between the two friends and ridiculousness of the situation makes for a morbid, yet humorous story. With just a mere 67 minute runtime, Dead Giveaway manages to effectively tell an entertaining and quirky story. What makes it really stand out though, is the two women are a driving force, moving the plot forward every step of the way. “I think women should have more of a presence in the film world, both on and off screen,” explains Ian. “I like that the characters in this movie are the type of people I know - vulgar, sharp, fun - as opposed to the way women are typically written into stories.”

I’m really excited about what the future holds in store for Ian and his film. I feel fortunate that he will be assisting me with my upcoming short flick. It’s not everyday you bump into people that understand your desire to make a pizza centric slasher flick. Here’s to movies!

Filmmaking tips and fun movie stuff from Ian Kimble...

(Old Sport - OS) What films inspired you or were influential while you were making Dead Giveaway?

(Ian Kimble - IK) I discovered movies when I was growing up in the 90s. So Tarantino, Kevin Smith, and Robert Rodriguez were big influences early on. The skill I've worked the hardest to develop I've learned from those movies, which is knowing that when you don't have much of a budget, the dialogue and story had better be good enough to keep people in the seats. I think I'll be working on that forever.

(OS) This was the first feature film that you wrote/directed - did you find this more challenging than making a short film?

(IK) It's harder just because it's bigger. There's a lot more moving parts. Everything from scheduling and budgeting to shooting and editing.That being said, I prefer it. Making shorts is fun, and something I'll hopefully do for a long time, but making features is a process I really gravitate toward.

(OS) Any tips you can share with indie filmmakers out there on how best to finance a film?

(IK) I'd say don't worry about financing out of the gate. Write what you know you can shoot. With technology these days, there's no excuse for not making a movie if you want to. That said, if you can't afford a car chase that ends in a big explosion, don't try to make that yet. Look at what you have available and make a movie with just that. Build from there and the financing will come.

(OS) How did you know your script was ready to shoot -- what is your process like for getting there?

(IK) You kind of never know when it's ready. I could sit on a script for years and change it or make tiny adjustments or alter it in a thousand different ways, but it's never going to mean anything unless you make it, so just make it. Once it's close enough, just start. Ideally have a couple of table reads with people you really trust who will give you good honest feedback, and then set a shoot date and stick to it.

(OS) What are the next plans for the film after you premiere at the Philly Indie Film Fest?
(IK) That's top secret, but it's going to be a wild ride.

(OS) Where is your favorite place to see a flick and your favorite concession?

(IK) Ah! I miss the drive-in in Vineland (where I grew up). That was always a ton of fun. On the opposite end of the spectrum I've been taking my nephews to see the Avengers movies at the King Of Prussia IMAX. That place is incredible. Concession? Always popcorn and a soda (it's honestly the only time I ever drink soda). Sometimes twizzlers, but only when I have enough time to prep the package. It's a loud candy to get out of that plastic and I don't like being that guy.

*Keep tabs on Ian and Shoestring Gold on Instagram here and see Dead Giveaway on May 10 at 6:30pm at the Gershman Y 401 South Broad Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147 - tickets and showtime info can be found here.