Ian McCamant

In recent weeks, Filmmaker / Film Apprentice Ian McCamant relocated to Hollywood, California and is making major headway as he progresses through the “madness” of LA with flying colors! Ian road tripped all the way across the US in the blizzard of 2014.

In just the short time he has spent back in Cali, Ian has made a handful of great contacts in the industry for collaborations, partnerships, and beyond. In January prior to his move, Ian pitched his zombie flick The End of History to horror genre film producer Evan Astrowsky. He decided to make the leap long before returning to his home in Maryland, figuring Los Angeles would be able to provide him the resources and environment he needs to thrive and grow in the film industry.

From the moment Ian landed back on SoCal turf, he has scored three job interviews, each one progressively better than the last, and is looking to plant his feet for years to come. Ian is currently working on a multitude of scripts including a time travel romance/adventure piece and a psychological thriller.

Here is an excerpt from a paranormal themed film Ian is working on called Frivolty:
“Henry, an architecture professor commissioned to do a big money renovation on a house steeped in local legend, finds romance on-site with Maggie, a young ghost hunter working on her thesis. But something from long ago still lurks in the shifting shadows and crumbling corners of the old Duskridge house; something evil.”

At the Associated Artists group, Ian met a PR manager, Dotan Bear, who is helping Ian meet some actors and assisting with preliminary steps involving selling his scripts. Ian has met some likeminded filmmakers as well, and is staying in touch.

January 2014 will be bringing big things to the table for Ian McCamant of Elkton, Maryland. Just after the winter holidays, Ian will be making his big trip to Los Angeles to pitch his zombie flick to producer Evan Astrowsky (Cabin Fever).

In the beginning phases of Ian’s externship, he helped a previous extern, Dan Allen, produce a short horror film about a group of frat guys who wind up in a trans-dimensional portal.

In recent months, Ian has been working closely with mentor Janine Spruill at Madness Entertainment on everything from film production to budgeting scripts and the business end of things.

On the writing end of things, Ian has been working with screenwriter Richard Brandes (Jeepers Creepers, Penny Dreadful, My Daughter Was Stolen) on his untitled zombie horror feature which he plans to pitch in the second week of January. What separates his zombie movie from the others is that it focuses more on the living people and the mores of their society. He is also doing some interesting things with stereotypes,, a twist on convention, if you will – which you’ll have to stay tuned to find out!

Ian has described Janine as very passionate about her work – she even runs her own company called “Lil’ Filmmakers” in Philadelphia, PA. Richard’s assistance has also has been making a pivotal impact on Ian’s progression. In just the short period of time they’ve been working together they’ve discussed several feature ideas. Ian says that Richard has been incredibly supportive, a wealth of information.

In his overall experience, working with both Janine and Richard, Ian has learned everything about film theory tempered with the tangible, hands-on aspects and technical camera work. Together, Ian and Janine have begun taking on all of the business aspects of putting together a feature film down to the budgeting of his zombie film.

Ian is already looking into casting actors for his film and considering its locations, perhaps incorporating, a Northeastern “New England” feel.

Without a doubt, Mr. McCamant is working hard and steadily towards his goal of becoming a professional filmmaker, director, producer, and so much more. His Los Angeles arrival is expected this month!

This year has been an exciting one for Film Connection alumnus Ian McCamant. Not only did Ian relocate from the east coast early in the year, but in his first week he was able to find a manager and score a sweet apartment in West Hollywood! For those unfamiliar with LA, that’s where Quentin Tarantino got his start. Since February, Ian has been working with his new manager on preparing his scripts to pitch (and hopefully sell!) to Hollywood.

When Ian met his manager, it was business at first sight.

“I met him in the heart of Hollywood while out on the town one night. We exchanged business cards and during the next meeting we had we were watching my film from college. He liked [my film] so much that he asked to see some examples of my writing, so I showed him my scripts. Ever since then, he’s been helping me fix them up to prepare for pitch meeting with producers and some of the other contacts I’ve made so far. Having a manager has really helped me excel in the right direction, especially in finding other writing gigs and [networking] opportunities.”