Fort Worth filmmaker’s new project to premiere at North Texas film festival
A Fort Worth filmmaker’s latest project will have its world premiere at the Dallas International Film Festival.
Jon Blaze served as editor and cinematographer on “The Best Days of Richard Davis,” which will screen at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Cinépolis Victory Park. Tickets are on sale via the festival’s website, and also include entry to two other short films during the screening.
The film is about the complexities of mental health, Blaze teases.
“A successful suburban husband quietly battles depression as his daughter prepares to leave home — forcing him to confront the painful truth that a perfect life does not guarantee happiness,” the film’s synopsis reads.
Fort Worth filmmaker’s short film to play DIFF
While born in Southern California, Blaze moved to Fort Worth in his early teens and has been here ever since.
He and his brother Nathan launched the Blaze Brothers Production Company over a decade ago right here in Cowtown. The duo work on short films together and have a feature film in the can called “Run.”
As for “The Best Days of Richard Davis,” Blaze worked with the film’s director Zack C. Frizzell on his previous short film “Fighting Chance” and was asked to return on the new project.
Blaze worked as editor and cinematographer on the movie, which he said feed into each other well. It’s especially important when making an independent film, when the production is always short on time and tight on budget.
“You can be really economical with how you shoot a film and only shoot for what you know you’re going to use in the edit,” Blaze said.
.png "Best Days_01 (1).png")
The Texas ties of ‘Richard Davis’
“The Best Days of Richard Davis” counts many Texans among the film’s Abilene-based production.
Frizzell is an assistant theatre professor at McMurry University in Abilene. The film’s screenwriter Phoebe Angaye is from Denton. Some of the film’s cast is also from the Lone Star State, including Skyler Kinney from Abilene and Judy Lee from Austin. “Richard Davis” actor himself Scott Bolger is from New York.
Getting any independent film across the finish line is a major accomplishment itself, Blaze said. But to have a Texas-made project premiere at a major festival in the state is a “huge honor.”
“I’m just really thankful for the guys at DIFF, and happy to see what people think of the film and get people’s reactions to it,” Blaze said.
“The Best Days of Richard Davis” screens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Cinépolis Victory Park.
