film
by C.S. Satterwhite
Local Film, Local Cinema
For two days only, Treehouse Cinema will host Steven McMillan's latest featurelength film "Overdrive/Minorparadox" which stars a cast of local actors and was shot mostly in Pensacola. Produced by Swindle Films, "Overdrive/ Minorparadox" is about Henry Sellers, a slightly uncomfortable man who works for a secret government agency whose mission is to keep tabs on inventors and, on occasion, confiscate various machines. Through his work for the government, Sellers comes across a time machine and uses it to travel back through various parts of his life. Shot in black and white with a cast of familiar faces—especially for those who frequent
Treehouse Cinema—McMillan's film showcases local talent in a film exploring shady government agencies, technology, and our deepest memories. Shot over the past year, McMillan's film uses light and striking imagery, along with a haunting soundtrack provided by Nail Club to fill the background with as much silence as to create an atmosphere of suspense from the film's opening shots to its sudden close. Technology has recently placed the basic tools of the filmmaking trade into the average person's hands, but there still remains a mysterious aspect to the art. For McMillan, filmmaking is as much about the art as it is about demystification. "There is still some sort of mystery to making a movie, and this bothers me," said the filmmaker. McMillan plays in various punk bands and compares the DIY ethos of punk to film. "It's no more difficult to make a movie than to write some songs, get a band together, and go on tour," said McMillan. "I don't mean to say those things are easy or easy to do well, but it's no more difficult than making a movie," he said. "Depending on what kind of movie one is making, it's more difficult to start a band." "For punks," said McMillan, "we have been making music for ourselves, books for ourselves, and radio for ourselves, but movies are still a little untouchable and I'd like to see this changed." Although the film is not directly about punk, McMillan described his work as com-
"Treehouse has been really great during ing from punk culture. For those familiar this whole process," said McMillan. "From with ‘80s punk film, "Overdrive/Minorparawhen we were working on breaking the story dox" will feel familiar. in the office to when we were rehearsing in the McMillan's bandmate Sara Taylor plays lobby… Now we're showing it there." a minor role in the beginning of the film but While McMillan uses punk and art cinema contributes a musical score which lends to the to explain the genesis of the film, the indepenfilm's heavy and brooding tone. dent Gulf Breeze theater itself is also in the "This is actually my third film with Steve," background, figuratively and literally at times. Taylor said. "In a lot of ways this movie, for me, embodShe plays keyboard in the local band Nail ies the idea of Treehouse, which sometimes Club with McMillan. feels like us against the world." "My input is that I will always create," McMillan worked at Treehouse Cinema said Taylor. "I am influenced by others only in for several years the same mind and has a keen frames and time appreciation for signatures… the role indeSteve sees somependent theaters thing that I can't play in the world necessarily see, of movies. Not and his vision is only did the staff nuclear." help write the Because of screenplay, but Taylor's contriseveral workbutions, the film ers are featured is as much a prominently in the movie, including the main visual experience as an auditory venture. character Henry Sellers, played by Tom Nolan. "Getting to help with the soundtrack "Treehouse is also the [only] cinema in was a relief," said Taylor. "I hope I accomtown to show this kind of movie," said McMilplished the goal of setting a mood of the lan. "These movies are never the ones that get soundtrack." the butts in the seats, but it's enough to have The mood of the film is dark, despite bright them there and to have that option. That opnatural lighting. The heavy electronic pulse, tion is important whether it's Open Books or coupled with the humming vibrations and Treehouse or what Sluggos used to be." {in} long silences, move into the brain as the main character explores his past through the stolen machine. McMillan lists filmmakers Jean-Luc Godard, John Sturges, and Rod Serling as his inWHAT: A movie by local filmmaker Steven McMillan fluences, all of which are clear WHEN: 9:30 p.m. Friday, March 3 and Saturday, from the beginning to the end March 4 of his artistic endeavor. WHERE: Treehouse Cinema, 1175 Gulf Breeze Pkwy. As an artist, McMillan's COST: Free, but donations will be accepted choice to premier his film at DETAILS: facebook.com/treehousecinema Treehouse Cinema was obvious for a number of reasons.
“In a lot of ways this movie, for me, embodies the idea of Treehouse, which sometimes feels like us against the world.” Steven McMillan
“OVERDRIVE//MINORPARADOX”
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