Thank you, Stage32. Thank you very, very much. Although my script for "Dig Me No Grave" wasn't discovered on Stage32, it was the coverage I received from Julia Verdin and Alex Kirschenbaum on Stage32 that allowed me to fine tune my script so that it would be noticed. Soon after I went through multiple drafts, I won a small contest, got it published on Amazon, then uploaded to Script Revolution. It was only a matter of weeks before a director discovered it, read it, and wanted to shoot it right away.
Then Covid reared its ugly head.
Flashback--I'm a lifetime writer/cinematographer/photographer who has had close calls over the years, but no solid engagements or productions. Shorts, documentaries...that was my gig. A wedding shoot, portraits, and I went to the now non-existent Hollywood Scriptwriting Institute fresh out of the Navy. Had an agent, wrote a sequel to John Carpenter's, "The Thing", and came within inches of seeing that produced. There were many more close calls and despite these near hits, or misses depending on how you look at it, I pressed on. All of that was entirely necessary to get me to this point...an award-winning writer, with an award-winning film, and credits on other projects as doors have been opened. I couldn't be happier.
Back to present--The film was scheduled near the end of Covid and I was asked to travel to the UK where it would be shot. The director had seen my work on other projects and asked if I wouldn't mind shooting the BTS footage and editing a piece together on the making-of. I jumped at the chance. Upon arriving in the UK, I got Covid and had to hunker down for a week. Fortunately I gave myself some extra travel time and I only missed a day of shooting. It was the middle of winter and we shot in Coventry, mainly outside and although the shoot was brutal at times, the cast and crew really gave it their all.
Three years later, and the film was released on January 10th. I flew to London for the premier and scratched an item off of my bucket list. That item being my dream to sit in a theater and watch the audience react. It was amaaaaazing!
Dig Me No Grave was written in 5 weeks. I was inspired by my hunting uncle who refuses to give it up even though his friends have...always waiting for that one last deer or elk. I teased him about being trapped in the woods, cut off from the outside world, and from there the story manifested itself. A bit of The Edge, some Misery, and maybe even some deliverance. Man against man, man against nature. I don't want to give too much away as there are a few suprises. Just know this, I love twists and in your face surprises!
Out now on Amazon Prime and other streaming platforms, our distributor is adding more each day/week. Physical media is forthcoming and further announcements will be made.
Big thanks to the R.B.'s of the world and the C.J. Walley's, who provide these platforms for us struggling writers to get noticed. You guys rock, and the teams behind these platforms that make the gears turn are just as important.
Never give up, folks! If your a writer, I recommend grabbing a camera as well. Behind the lens or behind they keyboard, you're a visual artist and the two go together like bread and butter.
Gary A. Piazza
