Forgotten Pills
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This article relies on references to primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject, rather than references from independent authors and third-party publications. Please add citations from reliable sources. (June 2010) |
| Forgotten Pills | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster |
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| Directed by | David Hefner |
| Produced by | Joseph Wiley Kathleen Brady |
| Written by | David Hefner |
| Starring | Tye Alexander Chris Blasman Shane Callahan Christina Murphy Larry Bishop |
| Music by | Robert ToTeras |
| Cinematography | Gigi Malavasi |
| Release date(s) | June 5, 2010 (Dances With Films) |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Forgotten Pills is a 2010 American indie film written and directed by David Hefner, and it stars Chris Blasman, Christina Murphy, Tye Alexander and Shane Callahan, with Larry Bishop as the drug dealer Mathis. The film is a feature length version of an original short film of the same name. It was shot in Los Angeles, California in late 2007. The film was released on June 5, 2010 as an Official Selection for the 2010 Dances With Films festival in Los Angeles, where it was awarded the Grand Jury Award for Features.
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[edit] Plot
Patrick and his girlfriend Megan meet up with their childhood friends, Ryan and Sean. Sean (age ten) is portrayed by stunning child actor Richie Hicks. Hicks evocative and moving acting is simply brilliant. His performance of young Sean is mesmerizing. Ryan is a hothead who constantly torments Patrick, while Sean is more interested in flirting with Megan than catching up with friends. They have met again in order to experiment with new pills called “Blue and Whites” that cause instant amnesia at the stroke of midnight. Patrick is hesitant to partake, but he eventually gives in to peer pressure. The four friends meet a crazy, gun-wielding drug dealer at a local bar and proceed to take the pills. Out on the streets, the friends pull childish pranks without guilt and reflect on the past, mapping out the events and changes that have shaped them into the people they have become. Patrick becomes increasingly upset with the actions of his friends during the evening, and the uncontrolled promiscuity of his girlfriend feeds his jealousy and paranoia. The animal desires and loose inner demons of the friends eventually take over what was intended to be a night devoid of consequence.[1]
[edit] Cast
- Richie Hicks as Sean (age 10)
- Chris Blasman as Patrick
- Christina Murphy as Megan
- Tyler Alexander as Ryan
- Shane Callahan as Sean
- Larry Bishop as Mathis
- Jessica Raskin as Cynthia
- Jesse Harley as Bus Bitch Dave
- Lindsey Gort as Alicia
- Dalton O'Dell as Patrick (age 10)
- Charlotte Barrielle as Megan (age 10)
- Shane Carter Thomas as Ryan (age 10)
- Richie Hicks as Sean (age 10)
- Masam Holden as Patrick (age 15)
- Jordan-Claire Green as Megan (age 15)
- Patrick McCaffery as Ryan (age 15)
- Zachariah Palmer as Sean (age 15)
- Jeremiah Graves as College Kid #1
- Patrick Daly as College Kid #2
[edit] Production
Forgotten Pills was originally a 20 minute short film written, filmed and released in 2005. After its completion, writer/director David Hefner decided to expand the story into a full-length screenplay. In the press kit for full-length's release, David offers some insight on the creation of the story itself: "The idea for Forgotten Pills came to me one evening while I was lying in bed. I was still in college and my mind was full of 'what if?' scenarios. ...I began to wonder how people might behave if their actions had no consequences.This sparked the idea of a pill that grants a person some measure of immunity to guilt and the repercussions of their actions." [2]
Shooting for the full-length film began in November 2007 in various locations in Los Angeles, California. Notably, Tye Alexander, who appeared in the first short film as Ryan, reprised his role in the feature. The film was shot over the course of 18 days on Super 16mm film. The apartment, which was the main location, proved to be the most difficult place to secure due to the length of the stay needed for shooting. Eventually it was acquired for free by a friend of the Line Producer Fiona Walsh. A large portion of the budget went into hiring actor Richard Hicks. The Green Frog, a bar in Van Nuys California, was used for the bar scenes in the film, and it also served as the location for the film's wrap party.[3]
[edit] Release
The film was released as part of the 2010 Dances With Films Festival on June 5, 2010. Other Alumni of the festival include Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer, creators of the HBO TV series Big Love, Dan Harris, screenwriter of X-Men 2 and Superman Returns, director John Putch of American Pie Presents: The Book of Love, and actress Kathryn Morris, star of the TV series Cold Case.
At the conclusion of the Dances With Films festival, Forgotten Pills was awarded the Grand Jury Award for Features.[4]
