Storybook Rooster
Whimsical Drama
NOW PLAYING
"Lovely cast. Lovely story. Beautiful film."
-- Edward Saxon, Oscar-Winning Producer
The Storybook of Mr. Rooster (aka Storybook Rooster) was produced by GLENBROOK STUDIOS CINELAB, a filmmaking workshop, based on a fictional story and produced using a color keying technique. The movie was essentially created backwards, starting with background photos that became a virtual set, then recording and editing entire sound prior to any on-camera performance. Some props were added last in post-prod.​
Starring in his debut lead performance is Monlorr Jean-Francois as Lorenz. Production is very staid with fixed-frame shots and clean editing, but it takes artistic license when it comes to the imagination using hotel room ceiling and walls, each as a canvas for Lorenz's story visualization.
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"This movie was an attempt to produce an elegant, photogenic presentation with as few characters and locations as possible to keep things simple. However, the post-production process was very daunting in making it all work. Again, challenged by disabilities and no funding. All in all, Rooster was a blessing, even without funding. If I had funding, it would be better. Enjoy it for what it is. Thank you."
-- Marko Sakren, Writer, Producer, Director
The final product remains unfinished in a few details. Marko Sakren wore the lion's share of hats (aliases on IMDb) and had to abandon this project in its current form out of sheer exhaustion.
Artist Drama
DURATION: 1 hour 23 minutes (83 minutes)
RATING: Family (with warnings: mild language, alcohol)
NOTE: When you Rent, Buy, Donate, cast can get paid.
The Story
Cooped up in a hotel room for days during a prolonged rainstorm, Lorenz Tauber fails to meet his basic obligations as a professional photographer, losing a big account due to missed deadlines. A new opportunity arises that propels him into a 72-hour turnaround for a pitch to a new client. The assignment is a children's book for which he must not only create photographs for illustrations but finish writing the story itself since the original writer died. Lorenz suffers from writer's block but a series of telephone conversations with a front desk clerk, with whom he strikes up a friendship, end up sparking his imagination and inspiring him. With little time left and the weather being uncooperative, he must succeed in delivering his pitch by sunrise on Friday or his career, a sizable payday, and his self-esteem will be in jeopardy.​
The Cast
View entire cast at:
IMDb Rating: 8.8 out of 10 stars
The Approach
GLENBROOK STUDIOS CINELAB LLC makes movies with given resources, using props and wardrobe available to cast, who also serve as grips on the set. The rest of the crew tasks were handled by Marko Sakren (see: aliases on IMDb), in consultation with his two co-producers Teri Dukas and Anthony Mulholland, and various other colleagues and assistants as needed per scene.
Filmed on a DSLR (Sony RX10-II) with all voices recorded and edited with music first, then the picture was produced to synch with the sound, Storybook Rooster had a simple production approach. Everyone did it out of the goodness of their hearts and desire to work on their craft, get IMDb credit, and make new connections. Everyone agreed to a deferred compensation agreement and get paid from the movie's proceeds.
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The producers thank everyone involved, including those who offered locations. All in all, this film was a bootstrap effort and labor of love.
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"Clear your mind of expectations and comparisons," writer/director/producer Marko Sakren explains, "and simply watch this movie for what it is: a work of moving images, telling their own story, produced under extraordinarily stressful conditions, with mental and physical disabilities of my own, without funding or a full crew. Thankfully, I had supportive co-producers, associate producers, cast members, consultants, and music contributors. Enjoy it as it is and for all it's worth, flaws included. Yes, there are flaws in the movie but I didn't fix them because I was burned out from it all."
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NOTE: Investors, Cast, Crew, Music Contributors get paid from movie proceeds.
