THE STORY
MONTAUK77 tells the story of Harry...a middle aged, "down on his luck" rideshare driver whose day begins like any other. That is, until he meets his next passenger...a snarky, 15 year old named Liz who hires Harry to drive her to the beaches at Montauk Point, Long Island for the purposes of laying her late mother's remains to rest.
Little does Harry know, at the end of their day's long journey, his young passenger has an ulterior motive. Realizing her driver's questionable past, Liz intends to recruit Harry's help and ask him to pull off a risky bank heist...prompting Harry to question whether their meeting was by chance or, perhaps, destiny.
Mixing light drama with a bit of comedy, this road trip (turned bank heist) film is also a story about coping with loss and seeking forgiveness...particularly from oneself.
"You Call for a Ride?"
Looking Back
"We're Ready."
Harry's Demons
Destination: Montauk
Haunting Memories
Liz Bound & Bruised
The Gun
The Storm
A Solid Plan
Recon
Red Sky at Night
THE BACK STORY
After graduating from Binghamton University with a degree in film, Michael Scully opened his "one man" production studio, Island Long Productions, in 2004 at his home in Levittown, New York. Although the intention was to eventually produce a variety of personal short films and, eventually, venture in to full length features, most projects never got past the first or second screenplay drafts.
With a family on the way and finances to meet, Michael's business switched gears to producing short films, music videos and other themed skits that served to enhance elaborate entrances made by brides, bar mitzvahs, sweet sixteens, etc. during their receptions. Working alongside cinematographer, Ethan Kornfeld of Kornfeld Studios, Michael built a small name for himself in a niche market he never expected to.
However, after nearly 15 years, all but gone were the desires to take on more creative and personal projects, and the hopes of ever making the coveted feature film were all but extinguished.
As many who enter their 40s typically do, Michael began his 4th decade by taking a good look at his life, his accomplishments and, more importantly, his idleness and frustrations. Vowing to make a change for the better, it wasn't until a surprising and unexpected conversation with his (then 12 year old) daughter, Michayla, ultimately prompted Michael to begin immediately striving toward a lifelong goal...to make a feature film.
Taking notes from some of his biggest influences such as Robert Rodriguez (El Mariachi), Brett Haley (Hearts Beat Loud), the Safdie brothers (Good Time), and Jim Cummings (Thunder Road), Michael began work on his next original screenplay...his first in nearly 12 years...but this time, he had a writing partner, his muse, Michayla.
Keeping the manageability of a feature film in mind, Michael and Michayla crafted a small story utilizing all that was accessible to them...most importantly, themselves. Very early on, it was evident that not only were the two main characters featured in what would become MONTAUK77 (Harry and Liz) based loosely on Michael and Michayla, it became increasingly clear that the writing duo should also take on the roles themselves. Despite not having acted since his college days, Michael realized that having penned the specific natures of Harry and Liz in his and Michayla's own likeness, meant the two of them had so much more to give to their respective performances than any other actor or actress possibly could.
"Call it a passion project, a labor of love, or a lifelong dream, MONTAUK77 is much more than just a film to me and my daughter. Regardless of its potential success, it will forever be a special part of us...a part that we want nothing more than to share with all of you!" - Michael Scully
THE FILMMAKERS
Written by Michael and Michayla Scully, MONTAUK77 will be performed by the father/daughter duo, with Michael also serving as director.
Award winning cinematographer, Ethan Kornfeld, has collaborated with Michael on over 500 small scale productions over the past 17 years and will bring his unique eye for composition and creative spirit to the film.
MONTAUK77 WILL BE THEIR FIRST FEATURE
Michael Scully
Director, Writer & Performer
Michayla Scully
Writer & Performer
Ethan Kornfeld
Cinematographer
THE PLAN
CALL TO THE SET!
CROWDFUNDING
Utilizing INDIEGOGO as our platform, MONTAUK77 launched an online crowd-funding campaign in November of 2020 in order to raise funds to help bolster production costs. The minimum goal was set for $25,000. However, between online and private contributions (including that of Executive Producer,
Erik R. George) MONTAUK77 was able to utilize a total budget of $30,000.
ACTION!
PRODUCTION
Once funding was in place, MONTAUK77 began a rigorous 14 shoot in late March, 2021. Production was conducted under strict COVID-19 safety measures to ensure the safety of our cast and crew. Post production began immediately after shooting wrapped in mid April and concluded in August. MONTAUK77 began entering film festivals in October of 2021 and plans to continue the circuit through 2022.
THAT'S A WRAP!
DISTRIBUTION
Although bringing MONTAUK77 to a "theater near you" is the ultimate goal, we understand that ON DEMAND platforms (Amazon Prime, iTunes, etc.) are sometimes the most viable routes. During our film festival run, we will be seeking a distribution deal in order to get MONTAUK77 in front of as many audience members as possible...for the filmmakers, for our contributors, and for movie lovers everywhere!
AWARDS
NEW YORK LONG ISLAND
FILM FESTIVAL
7 AWARDS INCLUDING...
SANTA CLARITA INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVAL
OFFICIAL SELECTION
SANTA MONICA INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVAL
OFFICIAL SELECTION
EASTHAMPTON
FILM FESTIVAL
OFFICIAL SELECTION
NORTHERN VIRGINIA INTL.
FILM & MUSCI FESTIVAL
5 NOMINATIONS & WINNER OF...
SUNSCREEN
FILM FESTIVAL
OFFICIAL SELECTION
LONG ISLAND
INTERNATIONAL FILM EXPO
2 NOMINATIONS & WINNER OF...
OFFSHORE
ART & FILM FESTIVAL
OFFICIAL SELECTION
LONG BEACH
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
TBD
SMODCASTLE
FILM FESTIVAL
TBD
FILM FESTIVALS
(please note that dates & times are subject to change)
December 11, 2021
Santa Clarita Intl. Film Festival
(10am - Theater 1)
USE AMBASSADOR CODE
"MICHAEL6767" AT CHECKOUT!
January 15, 2022
Santa Monica Intl. Film Festival
MORE INFO & TIX
May 1, 2022
Sunscreen Film Festival - St. Petersburg, FL (AMC Sundial Theater #1 - 12:45PM)
May 28, 2022
Easthampton Film Festival
Eastthampton, MA
(Marigold Theater - Evening Block)
July 15, 2022
Long Island Intl. Film Expo
Bellmore Movies
222 Pettit Ave. Bellmore
4:00 pm (DAY 3 - BLOCK 3)
July 29, 2022
Long Beach Intl. Film Festival
Regal Lynbrook 13 & RPX
321 Merrick Rd. Lynbrook
8PM
November 30, 2022
SModCastle Film Festival
SModCastle Cinemas
82 First Ave, Atlantic Highlands, NJ
8PM - Theater #2