"In Search Of" Success: Zeke Zelker's Latest Film
October 2008
photo by WaldenPonders
It's been 11 years since Pennsylvania filmmaker
Zeke Zelker began writing In Search Of, a passionate project about the very nature of passion.
Like a one hour and 46-minute coffee table book,
In Search Of serves as an ideal conversation starter, as Zelker zooms in his lens on sex and relationships, forcing audiences to take a closer look at life between the sheets, and in some cases, behind the steering wheel.
Zelker became interested in filmmaking after a friend's request for him to produce a feature film. Reflecting on the experience, Zelker said, “I had to learn as much as I could … and fell in love with it.”
Instilled with a resolute motivation and a “whatever it takes” philosophy, proven in his decision to refinance his home twice in order to complete ISO, Zelker epitomizes the independent filmmaker. “You have to be willing to sacrifice everything for your vision,” he began, “because if you don't, then how are you going to ask other people to?”
Despite budgetary setbacks and subsequent casting adjustments mere days before principal shooting, Zelker strove onward. “When you get punched, you recoil a little bit and then you just go back out. That's how I am.
“It's been a challenge to make this film, but I'm very proud.”
A self-acknowledged risk-taker on all accounts, Zelker chose a subject typical of cable television or R-rated movies.
With a cast including Dan Lauria (“The Wonder Years”), Michael Rady (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants), and Keith Nobbs (“The Black Donnellys”), In Search Of follows the stories of 10 characters dealing with the confusion, consequences and tragedies of the tryst including infidelity, rape, and sexually-transmitted diseases.
Though not autobiographical, Zelker insisted on giving his film a sense of realness and truth – so real, the film has already been censored by some movie theaters.
“I think if I was releasing Deep Throat it'd be easier,” Zelker said, referring to the controversial 1972 pornographic film.
“People fear what they don't know. Our society was created by Puritanical thought, and it's about time we break the bondage of that,” he said.
Whereas most media tends to highlight the action, the physicality of sex, Zelker said, “We [ISO] actually tackle the issues. It's like the guy standing in line at CVS with a condom box, and people look at him funny. It doesn't make any damn sense. He's the smart one.”
In deliberately leaving ISO open-ended, Zelker intends to foster conversation among audiences, hoping that, above all, people will become more aware of their responsibilities when it comes to sex. “Talk about it,” Zelker said.
Aside from promoting ISO, projects for Zelker and his production company, Independent Dream Machine, include a a work-in-progress about drum and bugle corps and two screenplays he's writing.
“I love the process [of filmmaking] more than I like anything else,” Zelker admitted. “Whatever role I play in the process is fine.”
Links: Official Site | Independent Dream Machine
Zeke Zelker began writing In Search Of, a passionate project about the very nature of passion.
Like a one hour and 46-minute coffee table book,
In Search Of serves as an ideal conversation starter, as Zelker zooms in his lens on sex and relationships, forcing audiences to take a closer look at life between the sheets, and in some cases, behind the steering wheel.
Zelker became interested in filmmaking after a friend's request for him to produce a feature film. Reflecting on the experience, Zelker said, “I had to learn as much as I could … and fell in love with it.”
Instilled with a resolute motivation and a “whatever it takes” philosophy, proven in his decision to refinance his home twice in order to complete ISO, Zelker epitomizes the independent filmmaker. “You have to be willing to sacrifice everything for your vision,” he began, “because if you don't, then how are you going to ask other people to?”
Despite budgetary setbacks and subsequent casting adjustments mere days before principal shooting, Zelker strove onward. “When you get punched, you recoil a little bit and then you just go back out. That's how I am.
“It's been a challenge to make this film, but I'm very proud.”
A self-acknowledged risk-taker on all accounts, Zelker chose a subject typical of cable television or R-rated movies.
With a cast including Dan Lauria (“The Wonder Years”), Michael Rady (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants), and Keith Nobbs (“The Black Donnellys”), In Search Of follows the stories of 10 characters dealing with the confusion, consequences and tragedies of the tryst including infidelity, rape, and sexually-transmitted diseases.
Though not autobiographical, Zelker insisted on giving his film a sense of realness and truth – so real, the film has already been censored by some movie theaters.
“I think if I was releasing Deep Throat it'd be easier,” Zelker said, referring to the controversial 1972 pornographic film.
“People fear what they don't know. Our society was created by Puritanical thought, and it's about time we break the bondage of that,” he said.
Whereas most media tends to highlight the action, the physicality of sex, Zelker said, “We [ISO] actually tackle the issues. It's like the guy standing in line at CVS with a condom box, and people look at him funny. It doesn't make any damn sense. He's the smart one.”
In deliberately leaving ISO open-ended, Zelker intends to foster conversation among audiences, hoping that, above all, people will become more aware of their responsibilities when it comes to sex. “Talk about it,” Zelker said.
Aside from promoting ISO, projects for Zelker and his production company, Independent Dream Machine, include a a work-in-progress about drum and bugle corps and two screenplays he's writing.
“I love the process [of filmmaking] more than I like anything else,” Zelker admitted. “Whatever role I play in the process is fine.”
Links: Official Site | Independent Dream Machine
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