The films were showcased when the production community assembled at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, CA, on Nov. 15.

MVPA West Coast chair and Oil Factory executive producer Heidi Herzon said the non-profit trade organization received approximately 90 submissions, down slightly from last year's 120. "People don't seem to have as much disposable income," says Herzon accounting for the decline. Nonetheless, the films in the showcase were notable for their high production value. In addition to featuring recognizable talent, the shorts were markedly different from last year's films in their commitment to storytelling.

"This year we had more dramatic narrative than in the past," states Herzon. "Generally, we tend to get more animation and abstract submissions. I was really surprised by the number of directors who told stories."

Perhaps those directors recognize the MVPA's role in launching the feature careers of music video directors Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry, Jonathan Glazer and Robert Luketic. Each had their original works screened at the Director's Cuts along with True writer/director Charles Stone III, who credits the MVPA for the initial exposure that resulted in Budweiser's global "Whaaasssup" campaign.

Film scouts and agency creatives were on site to view the work of a lengthy roster filmmakers: Paula Walker (Seed), Colm McManus (Stumped), Sean Ellis (Left Turn), Young Kim (Karate Master), Charlie Deaux (Zoetrope), Benno Nelson (Screwdrivers), Doug Aitken (New Ocean [Swing]), Rodney Ascher & Syd Garon (Somebody Goofed), Kyle Davison (Venus Pussytrap), Mark Palansky (The Same), Leanna Creel (Offside), Trevor Sands (Inside), Brett Vapnek (Dream Machine) and James Pilkington (Sweet).

Trevor Sands' Inside is the portrait of a mentally ill patient suffering from multiple personality disorder (MPD). The script was co-written with Eric "Giz" Gerwitz and shot by Eric J. Haase whose previous credits include shorts George Lucas in Love and Peepshow.

Sands' script developed out of his affinity for Rod Serling's Twilight Zone. "Once I decided that I wanted to make a short film showcase, I realized I would need a good idea," says Sands. "The first step was figuring out that I wanted to do a Twilight Zone episode in 10 minutes. Then the story evolved out of some research I happened to be doing on MPD."

With a cast of eight actors and his principal, Sands literally brings the conflicting personalities to life. The characters wreak havoc inside the patient's head, each struggling to be heard by the attending nurse. The dominant personality speaks in unison with the protagonist, a dramatic device that serves to heighten the tension.

Sands' commercial reel includes spots for Lexus, Bravo! and Partnership for a Drug-Free America. He is a principal at Los Angeles-based management and production company Quality Filmed Entertainment, and is repped by The William-Morris Agency.

Writer/Director Brett Vapnek tells of an aspiring rock star in Dream Machine. A self-proclaimed karaoke addict, Vapnek says her film is based on her experiences in karaoke bars. "I've always been interested in the dynamic between audience and performer," says Vapnek.

The performer in Dream Machine is Trixie played by Mary Timony, singer for indie band Helium. Her audience is a Japanese immigrant named Hiro, played by Vapnek's hair stylist. Hiro sees Trixie perform a karaoke tune and leaps into romantic pursuit.

Hiro doesn't speak English, but that doesn't keep him from courting Trixie at her day job, a New York copy shop. He hands her a document, which she duplicates before noticing its message: "You are a great singer. Would you like to ride my bike?" The two end up on a date at Krispy Kreme, which is made even more memorable when a man covered in soda cans ducks in to buy a donut.

"The guy in the can suit is a performance artist named Gene Pool," explains Vapnek. "He used to ride a unicycle in SoHo. I thought he was hilarious and I went on a hunt for him. He doesn't have a phone number and I wasn't having any luck finding him, but my lead actress was obsessed with the can man and knew someone who lived with him. I ended up finding him through her."

DP Chad Davidson shot Dream Machine on 16mm. Vapnek paid off one of the Krispy Kreme employees to complete the shoot when it was interrupted by a delivery truck filled with flour. She got her $50 worth.

Vapnek is currently working on another short called Fan Mail with indie diva Carrie Brownstein, from Sleater-Kinney. She is represented by Production League of America.

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