Local Filmmaker Embarks On Independent Feature Film Project

Glen Cove grad seeks to bring originality to the horror genre

Believing that a lack of “unique and original dark horror” is currently missing from independent films, Goldberg strives to bring more originality and thought-provoking concepts to his audience.

The scenes for the short teaser were filmed between September 2010 and January of this year in the Wampum mines of Pennsylvania on high definition film and provide an example of the film’s greater concept.

The Three is about a group of scientists looking for a way to end the war overseas for good. Goldberg explains that the two main scientists lost their son in the war, which fuels their passion to create a scientific project that they know will forever change mankind for the betterment of society. After shooting and editing scenes for the short to showcase what they are capable of creating with a low budget, Goldberg and his collaborators Mark Nadolski, Ed Demko, Hugo Fernandez, Tim Gross and actor Chris Margaritis are now ready to develop them into a longer movie.

“The concept was always there,” says Goldberg, who spent the past six months writing the screenplay for the feature-length film. “It’s interesting to see it evolve from a concept to a much deeper context. Plus, I’ve known that the background of the project was going to have very thought-provoking sequences and dialog.”

A 2000 graduate of Glen Cove High School, Goldberg studied film and video at Five Towns College in Dix Hills, earning his degree in 2004. Since graduating, he has worked on several independent film projects as well as making a living as a videographer for weddings and bar mitzvahs. He used Welwyn Preserve as the setting for his short film, Loss of Hope and the other, Mr. Mullen, was shot in various locations around Glen Cove.

Trying to work on a relatively low budget of $250,000 to make a high quality film, Goldberg and his crew are actively trying to raise funds for the production and have set a deadline of October 31 for reaching their goal. Goldberg expects it could take about eight to 10 months to complete shooting once they are able to delve in to the feature-length project.

“It’s wonderful how the medium of making movies is changing,” says Goldberg. “The technology that can be used today for creative storytelling in cinema is special and unique.”

He describes his film as “dark, cinematic drama with horror elements” and explains the appeal of going the independent route versus producing with a big studio.

“With big investors, there’s a lack of control over creativity,” he says. “And with a mainstream studio, there’s a time limit on the production schedule.” He explains how, with an independent film, they can shoot for a week, look over the footage and then decide what’s working and what’s not.

Though an independent venture, the filmmakers are still seeking out investors. While Goldberg says they could produce it for less than $250,000, they would like to try to raise more funds to have top of the line cameras, pay the actors and cover the rest of the basic production costs.

“I’m confident there will be certain people interested,” Goldberg states. “It’s a long process, especially for someone who is not as well-known as someone who can use their name to draw in donations to support their work.”

Excerpts can be viewed on the website, www.thethreefilm.com, where there are links to donate to the project at various price points: contributions of $10 or more allow people exclusive email updates regarding the film’s progress as well as a special thanks on the web site, a donation of $3,333.33 or more comes with an associate producer credit, and those who generously provide the crew with $10,000 or more earn executive producer credit.

Goldberg says he has funded his other projects with his own money, however, “We need a little extra help to make the type of film I think it could be.”