Jeff Faulkinbury has proven himself as one of Houston’s most talented and prolific independent film makers, creating five original films in less than four years. The short film With Open Arms, 2007, is the most recent addition to Faulkinbury’s filmography. A fast moving action film, it chronicles a hitman’s attempt to leave the ‘business’ and start a new life.
“With Open Arms is the new short film from Jeff Faulkinbury. If we think that all hitman stories have already been told, we are in for a surprise. We hardly blink or breathe as this man faces the most uncanny situation. No redemption or way out is possible, and it seems that the only resolution will claim more blood. Is it possible to escape? To forget? To start over? It gives an atmosphere of solitude that you can feel even in your bones, as a cold rain that caught you by surprise. You will struggle, sweat and suffer with the character, who second by second leaves the body of the killer and becomes the embodiment of vulnerability, just like any one of us. It is very easy to imagine this film as a full length feature. I really enjoyed this film and I simply loved the way Mexico City, my birthplace, is portrayed at the end,” says Mexican film director Silvia Vargas.
Read On, 2006, Faulkinbury’s first feature-length film, follows four couples affected by corporate greed. Filmed on location in Houston, TX, and Berlin, Germany, Read On is a tour de force of talent. It features a rock and roll soundtrack by Christopher Wilson, a throw-back analog synth score by Ian Varley of Drop Trio and additional music by Vertigo Blue and Willo Tha Wiz. Faulkinbury not only wrote the script but produced, directed, shot, and edited the 3 hour film with only one additional crew member being on set each day– a makeup artist. “Read On was a remarkable film, so engaging and believable, especially considering it was produced by such a small crew with virtually no budget. The mutiple storylines connected by a central theme, in this case the closing of a company, were intriguing and thought provoking. I would like to see more from this director,” says Eleese Lester of the Lone Star Actors Studio.
His first film, Blank, 2003, utilized stop-motion photography to tell the story of a dishonest film maker and the ‘justice’ he receives at the hand of his victim. Faulkinbury also wrote and performed the pop music score.
His second film, I’m Being Ignored, 2004, explores the psychological depths of a lonely housewife who begins to question her own existence. It features a minimalist guitar score by Christopher Wilson.
hurry!, 2004, follows an advertising executive as he tries to hold on to his sanity on the most important day of his life– a day in which he discovers the reason for his existence. Faulkinbury also wrote and peformed the techno music score for the film.
Other local directors recognize his ability to portray the human struggle for happiness and communicate it to the audience. Faulkinbury’s films show a depth of understanding rarely seen in independent film. His characters convey realism with a sensitivity and thoughtfulness that audiences frequently comment on. Faulkinbury’s ability to enhance the story with creative cinematography and the judicious use of music is rare in a world where camera angles and music often detract.
Faulkinbury has also worked as cinematographer for the feature film Effin Sports Camp, 2006, shot in Houston. The film was written, produced and directed by Joe Reilly out of L.A. “When I began looking for cinematographers, Jeff came highly recommended. So I called him and he returned my call. From Berlin. Germany. I sent him the script, he liked it, and he was on board without my even meeting him. And thank god. Jeff’s technical expertise, filmmaking knowledge were all invaluable. He busted his butt for Effin Sports Camp, working 21 straight days (most of them outside - in August), and I won’t forget it,” says Joe Reilly.
Faulkinbury has also worked in the music video world writing, directing, shooting and editing the music video for pop musician Christopher Wilson’s song “How Why and When,” as well as his “Live at Rudz!” concert DVD.
Other credits include shooting and editing local Houston films Ring Tone, written and directed by Silvia Vargas from Mexico City, Under the Volcano, written and directed by Dawn Williams from Houston, and the behind-the-scenes documentary for the feature film Automatic.
While Jeff Faulkinbury has a lively interest in all film genres he counts his primary influences as Ingmar Bergman, Werner Herzog, Stanley Kubrick, Robert Altman, and Andrei Tarkovsky.
Currently, Jeff is writing a new feature-length screenplay called “Year of the Cat.”
