Project of the Day: Fantasy Gaming with ‘Zero Charisma’
Here’s your daily dose of an indie film in progress; at the end of the week, you’ll have the chance to vote for your favorite.
In the meantime: Is this a movie you’d want to see? Tell us in the comments.
“Zero Charisma”
Tweetable Logline:
Obsessive fantasy gamer struggles to defend his tabletop turf and fellow role-players from an interloping neo-nerd hipster.
Elevator Pitch:
Short-tempered Scott Weidemeier runs The Greatest Tabletop Fantasy Game of All Time. It’s more than a game– it’s his calling. And he wields power over his players with an iron fist.
Until a new player enters the game: Miles Butler, a stylish, funny, “neo-nerd” hipster who charms everyone he meets. Desperate to outshine Miles, Scott alienates himself from his peers, and loses his game to this interloper.
Fueled by rampant insecurity, the humiliations pile up as Scott struggles to retain some shred of dignity–even if it means a final duel with his greatest adversary.
Production Team:
Directors: Andrew Matthews & Katie Graham
Writer: Andrew Matthews
Producers: Michael Stephenson, Lindsay Stephenson, Thomas Fernandes, Ezra Venetos, and Rod Olson
Director of Photography: Ellie Ann Fenton
About the Production:
“Everyone has something they take pride in knowing they are uniquely good at, and no matter how trivial or absurd it may seem to others, it still stings when it’s lost. Despite his blustering and pomposity, Scott is sympathetic because he is a passionate and principled person, who objects to the idea of someone enjoying the same “nerd status” without having to make the same social sacrifices. And maybe he’s right. At a time when more and more grown men seem incapable of “putting away childish things,” being a real “nerd” means less and less.” -Andrew Matthews
Current Status:
In production! We begin principal photography next Monday, April 2nd! We’re shooting in Austin throughout April.
For more information and to support this project:
Zero Charisma Teaser from Andrew Matthews on Vimeo.
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