ABSENTIA (2011)

Made my debut as a DP for this critically acclaimed internationally award winning psychological thriller. "Absentia" was picked up by Phase 4 Film for North American Distribution and Moving Pictures & Film and Television for international distribution. Absentia is currently available to buy or rent on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, VUDU, Android Market, and your local cable operators. Absentia will be released on DVD March 13th, 2012 through Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart, and other retailers. You can also rent "Absentia" at your local RedBox. Absentia will also be available on Netflix streaming and Showtime later in 2012. Filmed on the Canon 5D2 with Canon L lenses.

Trailer: Web / Mobile
Official Site: Absentia Website
IMDB: Absentia

Production Company: Fallback Plan Productions
Director: Mike Flanagan

Synopsis
Tricia's husband has been missing for seven years. Her younger sister Callie comes to live with her as the pressure mounts to finally declare him 'dead in absentia.' Tricia is reluctant, always holding out hope, but Callie is practical and wants her to move on. As Tricia sifts through the wreckage and tries to move on with her life, Callie finds herself drawn to an ominous tunnel near the house. As she begins to link it to other mysterious disappearances, it becomes clear that his presumed death might be anything but 'natural.' Soon it becomes clear that the ancient force at work in the tunnel might have set its sights on Callie and Tricia ... and that Tricia's husband might be suffering a fate far worse than death in its grasp.

Awards
BEST HORROR FEATURE – Shriekfest
BEST OF FESTIVAL (Feature Film) – Sacramento Horror Film Festival
BEST FEATURE FILM – Maelstrom Int’l Fantastic Film Festival
FIRST PLACE – Rhode Island Int’l Horror Film Festival
BEST HORROR FEATURE – Freak Show Horror Film Festival
BEST HORROR FEATURE – Phoenix Film Festival
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE – Sonoma Int’l Film Festival
BEST HORROR FEATURE – Shockerfest
BEST HORROR FEATURE – Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival
BEST DIRECTOR – Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival
BEST SCREENPLAY – Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival
BEST SCREENPLAY – New Orleans Horror Film Festival
BEST THRILL AWARD – Thriller! Chiller!
DIRECTOR’S CHOICE AWARD – A Night of Horror, Sydney Australia
BEST FEATURE – Tabloid Witch Awards
BEST ACTRESS (Courtney Bell & Katie Parker) – Tabloid Witch Awards
BEST ACTOR (Dave Levine) – Tabloid Witch Awards
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (Morgan Peter Brown) – Tabloid Witch Awards
BEST SOUND (Richard Ragon) – Tabloid Witch Awards
BEST SOUND – Blue Whiskey Int’l Film Festival
HONORABLE MENTION – Fargo Film Festival

AMERICAN MARRIAGE (2011)

I provided stills and footage from weddings I photographed using my Canon 5D2. You can see my wedding portfolio at www.rustinmichael.com

Trailer: Web / Mobile
Official Site: American Marriage Website
IMDB: American Marriage

Production Company: FlanaBell Productions & Fallback Plan Productions
Director: Mike Flanagan & Courtney Bell

Synopsis
If your brakes failed as often as marriages do, would you ever drive a car?

Almost 12,000 Americans get married every day. 95% of all men and women will have been married at least once by the age of 55. Throughout the country, the debate on same sex marriage has become a passionate and polarizing issue. One group is fighting for the right to marry, while another is fighting to protect the very institution of marriage as they understand it. But what exactly are both of these sides fighting for?

From dowries to divorce, pre-nups to polygamists, common laws to caterers, virginity to Vegas, and Civil Rights to Civil Unions; “American Marriage” seeks to understand the truth behind an institution we have strong, passionate feelings about… yet very little understanding of.

Joseph's Wheel of Destiny (2009)

I was the B-Camera operator on this short film for the 168 Hour Film Festival. We used 2 Canon 5D2 bodies.

Complete Short: Web / Mobile
IMDB: Joseph's Wheel of Destiny

Production Company: Eyre Films
Director: Ian Eyre

Synopsis
An office comedy about Joe, an extremely favored employee, who escapes his jealous coworkers via his "Destiny for Greatness;" a soothing voice on his iPod.

Oculus: Chapter 3 - The Man with the Plan (2006)

I provided production stills and graphic design work for this award winning short film.

Production Stills: OCULUS
Trailer: Web / Mobile
IMDB: Oculus: Chapter 3 - The Man with the Plan

Production Company: Back 2 One Productions
Director: Mike Flanagan

Synopsis
Years ago, Tim Russel's father committed a horrible atrocity; it was always Tim's contention that the large ornate mirror his father possessed was the cause of this terrible event. Now after years of research, Tim has traced the bloody trail of destruction that treads in the wake of this dark and forbidding mirror. With a history of over 300 years of mysterious circumstance, Tim intends to capture these horrors on tape and reveal the true nature of evil that lies within.