Attend Film Prize in-person October 16-17th or watch online starting October 15th, watch all 20 short films, and then you can vote for the grand prize winner of $50,000 cash. Plus you can vote for the best acting performance category!
Jake’s winter season takes an unexpected turn as he tries his best to give his daughter, ex-wife, and dog a memorable Christmas Day.
Written by Matthew Spriggs, Mike Jorgenson
Produced by Louaine Spriggs, Jesse Spriggs, Matthew Spriggs
Starring James Rivard, Laika the Dog, Matthew Price, Madison Muniz, Coco Jones, Evette Randolph
Cinematography by Matthew Spriggs
Edited by Matthew Spriggs
Matthew Spriggs is a professional cinematographer and director, with extensive experience in photography and editing. A New Orleans native, he primarily works in the Louisiana tourism industry, in addition to shooting local and national documentaries, news programs, commercials, reality television, events, and short narratives. Spriggs’ love of filmmaking began in childhood, inspired and forever changed by the works of Stanley Kubrick and David Lynch. Did this warp Matthew’s mind? The jury is still out.
Coming Soon
A man drowning in inadequacy, anger, and post-divorce resentment, Jake isn’t just trying to buy a tree; he is trying to buy his family back. His fragile ego leads him to ignore blatant red flags, resulting in his descent from a triumphant cheapskate to a sheer, pajama-clad terror. At its emotional core, Tannenbaum is a story about the pitfalls of resentment and how it can warp our perception.
Tannenbaum was inspired by shows like Tales from the Crypt and The Twilight Zone. When it comes to the film’s visual style, I went without a shot list or lighting plan. I knew I wanted to film most things in long master shots. I wanted to get away from a more popular fast-paced editing style and build suspense with long takes and a dash of comedic timing. I wanted to be strategic, but not confined by strict guidelines that get in the way of spontaneity, improvisation, and experimentation.
I hope that the audience gets as much joy out of watching Tannenbaum as I did making it.
Merry Christmas!
– Matthew Spriggs
