My Sixteenth Summer was shot in and around Atlanta over the course of 21 days.  The three-person crew included Savvy Lorestani (Writer/ Director/ Producer/ Casting/ Cook/ Gaffer and PA), Brandon Thompson (DP/Camera Operator/ Audio Person/ Gaffer) and Erika Eades (Assistant Director/ Production Manager/ Wardrobe/ Make-up).  The film was shot on a DVX 100 with a 35 MM Adapter on a budget of approximately $1,000 (the cost of food). 

Savvy relied heavily on his friends and family to provide him with locations, props and talent.  The majority of the film was shot at his best friend Phil’s house and was decorated completely with furniture borrowed from his parents’ house.  His family and friends also played several roles in the film (Savvy’s mother and father played the parents in the movie). The cast members were also extremely helpful and consistently helped fill production gaps.  It was common to see an actor perform in one scene and hold a boom-pole in the next. 

Though the film has limited resources, it had the support of an amazing community of people.  Savvy feels very lucky to have worked with such wonderful group of people on a project so near to his heart. 

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