NOTE: To watch the film, check back later as it cannot be posted here during its film festival run.

Description: This short film was created for the A3F 10 Day Film Challenge in February 2022. Our team undertook a lot with this short film. The script was new and gleaned from the world of a much bigger story. I partnered up with my son allowing for ample space to mind-meld our story and visuals. Excellent cast and crew! Sixteen teams made the deadline and screened.

Synopsis: Not everyone agrees with the choice of a pregnant mother.

Awards: 2024 Show Low Film Festival - #1 Overall Best film; 2024 Global Shorts Winner - Special Mention; 2022 Almost Famous Film Festival - Best Cinematography (Chris Kuzman), Best Actress (Colleen Hartnett), Outstanding Individual Performances (Colleen Hartnett, Michael Hanelin)

Screenings: 2025 Worldwide Women’s Film Festival; 2024 Show Low Film Festival; 2024 Phoenix Film Festival; 2023 The Awakening - Short Film Showcase; 2022 Almost Famous Film Festival

Key Crew: Diane M. Dresback (Writer and Co-Director), Devon Dresback (Co-Director, Editor), Chris Kuzman (Director of Photography)

Main Actors: Colleen Harnett, Michael Hanelin, Sandy Kim

Required Challenge Elements: Theme - A Broken Promise; Prop - A pen or pencil; Line - "We should have seen that coming."

NOTE: We are currently working on a Director’s Cut of the film to be submitted to film festivals. Once we are able, the film will be posted here!

Description: This short film was created for the A3F 72-Hour Film Challenge in February 2025. We took on an ambitious story idea for this short film. It was amazing to work with veteran as well as new young actors doing their first film. Forty-five teams made the deadline.

Synopsis: Two women reunite to reminisce about the imaginary games they played as children only to discover the true reasons they stopped being friends.

Awards: 2025 Almost Famous Film Festival - 2nd Place Audience Favorite, Overall 5th Place Film, Best Script, Overall Best Ensemble Acting (Colleen Hartnett, Stacie Stocker, Samantha Williamson, Emma Christman), Best Use of Prop.

Screenings: 2025 Almost Famous Film Festival;

Key Crew: Diane M. Dresback and Devon Dresback (Writers, Directors, Producers), Devon Dresback (Cinematographer, Editor); Octavio Serrano (Producer), Rick Silber (Executive Producer).

Actors: Colleen Harnett, Stacie Stocker, Samantha Williamson, Emma Christman

Required Challenge Elements: Theme - A Secret Revealed; Prop - A Key; Line - "Life is full of surprises."

NOTE: To watch the film, check back later as it is currently being considered for film festivals.

Description: This short film was created for the A3F 72-Hour One-Angle Film Challenge in October 2024. We had so much fun with this project and it was great to work with some of our talent for the first time. Twenty-five teams made the deadline.

Synopsis: A new smart mirror in the household brings some awkward insights into a couple’s relationship.

Awards: 2024 Almost Famous Film Festival - Overall 1st Place Film, Best Director, Overall Best Actor (Bourke Floyd), Overall Best Actress (Kristi Lawrence), Best Use of Theme, Best Use of Line of Dialogue, 3rd Place Audience Favorite.

Screenings: 2024 Almost Famous Film Festival;

Key Crew: Diane M. Dresback (Writer, Director, Editor), Earnest Robinson (Director of Photography); We were honored to have permission to use one of Keaton Simon’s songs (thanks Keaton and Eliza Roberts!)

Main Actors: Bourke Floyd, Kristi Lawrence, Julie Van Lith.

Required Challenge Elements: Theme - A Memorable Moment; Prop - Character takes or shows a photograph; Line - "Things like this take time."

NOTE: To watch the film, check back later as it is currently being considered at film festivals.

Description: This short film was created for the A3F 72-Hour Film Challenge in February 2024. What an excellent group of people to bring together! Another weekend with little sleep but lots of fun and collaborative creativeness. Thirty-five teams made the deadline.

Synopsis: The first meeting for a new book club doesn’t go as planned.

Awards: 2024 A Night of Misfit Films - Audience Favorite; 2024 Almost Famous Film Festival - Overall 3rd Place Best Film, 2nd Place Audience Favorite, Best Cinematography (Bernie Tarin), Best Use of Line of Dialogue, Honorable Mention for Performance (Natalie Denise Sperl)

Screenings: 2024 A Night of Misfit Films; 2024 Almost Famous Film Festival;

Key Crew: Diane M. Dresback (Writer and Director), Bernie Tarin (Director of Photography), Devon Dresback (Editor)

Main Actors: Natalie Denise Sperl, Stacie Stocker, Shellie Ulrich, Julie Van Lith

Required Challenge Elements: Theme - A Defining Moment; Prop - A microphone; Line - "We all have a story to tell."

BLUE COPPER is our longest short film to be completed. Click on the image to the right to watch the entire film. Read more below. 

LIKE us on the Blue Copper film Facebook page!

Synopsis: Hired for a month to care for 25 year old Hunter, Roz and her psychologically complex client develop a relationship based upon an undeclared mutual desire to liberate the other. Well-intentioned efforts lead down precarious and unexpected pathways.

Key Crew:  Diane M. Dresback (Writer and Director), Sara Dangler (Producer), Bret Kalmbach (Director of Photography)

Actors: Michael Coleman, Colleen Hartnett, Jim Robertson, Machelle Glassburn, Shelly Boucher, Paiden Cash, Kane Black 

Blue Copper was funded through a successful crowd funding campaign and private funding. Here is the link to our previous Kickstarter Campaign. 

Screenings:  2015 Phoenix Film Festival, 2015 Jerome Indie Film and Music Festival

Diane on The Chatterbox with Crickette Radio Show (8/22/14)

We appreciate all of our financial backers!

WATCH a Behind The Idea (BTI) segment on Blue Copper HERE

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST!!

WATCH the full feature film here: PARANOIA

Synopsis:  PARANOIA is a psychological thriller. Soft-spoken Alaina Denison (Katherine Stewart) begins an experimental infertility treatment causing her struggles between fantasy and reality. Her best friend (horror scream queen Tiffany Shepis) grows concerned when her husband (James Ray) investigates the murder of Alaina’s husband (Shane Dean).
USA, color, 87 minutes. 

Description:  This is a feature length film that premiered at the 2012 Phoenix Film Festival. You can check out our pages on Facebook or IMDb.

Screenings:  2013 Jerome Indie Film and Music Festival, 2012 Prescott Film Festival, 2012 Phoenix Film Festival

Key Crew:  Bivás Biswas (Director, Producer & Editor), Diane M. Dresback (Writer & Producer), Javier Gomez (Director of Photography) 

Main Actors:  Katherine Stewart, Shane Dean, Tiffany Shepis, James Ray, Cavin Gray Schneider

Film Trailer:  (by Michael Burciaga and Diane M. Dresback) 

Watch the Behind-the-Scenes video

Press: http://www.apocalypselaterfilm.com/2012/07/paranoia-2011.html

Synopsis:  ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, affects thousands of people each year. This number does not include the spouses, family and friends of those afflicted. This film offers honest and raw insights into the daily realities of a wife coping with her husband's diagnosis and how she maintains hope despite his terminal illness.

Description:  Mindclover Productions joined with Reel Lady Like Productions to create a short documentary for the Wives of ALS non-profit organization (wivesofals.org). The film is currently being submitted to film festivals to bring more awareness of this topic.

Awards: 2024 Show Low Film Festival - Best Documentary; Best Director; Best Editing.

Screenings: 2024 Show Low Film Festival;

Key Crew:  Diane M Dresback and Kimber Leigh (Writers & Directors), Devon Dresback (Cinematographer & Editor), Diane M. Dresback, Kimber Leigh, Liana Hubbard (Producers), Jason Ryan (Poster Art)

A few examples of writing and directing projects.

If our memories make us who we are, then what happens when we change them?

Logline: A musician struggling with divorce and inability to see his daughter, meets a woman who introduces him to a world of memory recall and manipulation.

Synopsis:

Nick, a musician working a dead end job, struggles to cope with an impending divorce and inability to interact with their young daughter. He meets Rachel, a smooth talking, pool shark who takes Nick to a place called The Parlor where drugs provide the intense re-experience of memories. Sid, a self-proclaimed healer and mastermind behind the illegal therapy, also offers the opportunity to manipulate a memory. From what begins as a harmless recollection exercise, Nick must soon make sense of disturbing discoveries.

Description:  This project is for a potential feature film called REMINISCE. In the meantime, the story is available as a novel and available via Amazon and Smashwords outlets.

I'm grateful for the many individuals involved in the creation of this teaser from pre to post-production...most especially Bret Kalmbach and Jerrod Saba (Apairus Company) whose creative insights and continued participation in this project has been extremely valuable and very much appreciated.

Complete CREDITS for the teaser:

Production: Diane M. Dresback (Writer & Director), Jon Bonnell & Michelle Notrica (Producers), Bret Kalmbach (Directory of Photography), Jarrod Wilson (Gaffer), Sergio Galvan, Travis Quegan & Jake Koeing (Grips), Alex Quitugua (Location Sound), Benjamin Bates (Set Designer), Michael Notrica (Production Assistant), Devon Dresback (Creative Consultant), Salpie (Makeup & Hair), Matthew Saba (Tattoo Design Artist), Mark Greenawalt (Tattoo Makeup), Robert Boccelli (Set Photographer)

Post-Production:  Jerrod Saba (Editor), Bret Kalmbach (Color Editor), "Tango vs Tangle" (freeplaymusic.com)

Cast (alphabetical) :  Bivás Biswas (Drug Provider), Brooklynn Ray (Young Girl), Colleen Hartnett (Woman Voice Over), Cyreena Prado (Parlor User), Drue Crookston (Man Running), Holly Dell (Parlor User), Jason Golladay (Friend), Jen Bauer (Woman in Church), Jerrod Saba (Slapped Man), Joshua Gonzalez (Smoker), Kane Black (Parlor User), Leeann Dearing (Fiancé), Luke Johnson (Parlor User), Maria Magdalena (Woman in Park), Matthew Dearing (Boyfriend), Pat Kaye (Parlor User), Ricardo Andres (Parlor User), Seth Gandrud (Man Voice Over), Steve Dorssom (Parlor User), Steve Furedy (Father), Steve Wargo (Man with Gun), Tonia Robinson (Parlor User)

Special Thanks:  Arizona Reptile - Jon Brophy, Jarrod Wilson, Kris Hansen Torrey, SWAT HD, The Ice House - Peter Conley, The Pork Shop, Trenton Kennedy

Synopsis:  A middle-aged rocker and his bands' tour schedule brings them to a small town bar that holds more than a simple musical performance. The seemingly self-assured bartender is urged on by an over-indulgent but faithful bar patron to not miss out on the opportunity for a new life.

Description:  I wrote, directed and worked with Apairus Company on this film. This was for the 2012 IFP Masterpiece Challenge (for which you had to be selected to particapte). It was a seven week competition. Great to work once again closely with incredibly talented Director of Photography - Bret Kalmbach and also Jerrod Saba who produced and edited. There were 9 teams that made the deadline and were screened at the Phoenix Art Museum in January 2012.

Awards:  IFP - 2nd Place Film, Best Ensemble Acting, Best Cinematographer, Best Trailer

Screenings:  2019 SARCE Attic Austin, 2016 Connect Film Festival - Austin, 2013 Jerome Indie Film and Music Festival, 2012 Phoenix Film Festival, 2012 IFP Masterpiece Challenge

Key Crew:  Diane M. Dresback (Writer & Director), Bret Kalmbach (Director of Photography), Jerrod Saba (Producer & Editor)

Main Actors:  Jim Coates, Mark DeBoer, Machelle Glassburn

Required Challenge Elements:  Inspiration taken from a piece of art at the Phoenix Art Museum

Description: This short film was created for the A3F 48 Hour Film Challenge in March 2021. This was a one-shot challenge for up to a two minute film. Really enjoyed working with an all female team. Forty-five teams began with thirty-three making the deadline.

Synopsis: Grandma’s advice lasts a lifetime.

Awards: 2021 Almost Famous Film Festival - 1st Place Drama, Best Script Award, Outstanding Individual Performance (Sally Ann Francis), Top Use of Guideline - Theme, Top Use of Guideline - Line of Dialogue

Screenings: 2021 Almost Famous Film Festival Online

Key Crew: Diane M. Dresback (Writer and Director), Sam Erdmann (Director of Photography and Editor), Hayley Steck (Gaffer and Location Sound)

Actors: Sally Ann Frances, Shelly Boucher, Emmy Boucher-Lange

Required Challenge Elements: Theme - Something Unexpected; Prop - A Box or Envelope; Line - "Didn’t see that coming"

Description:  This short film was created for the A3F 72 Hour Six Feet of Separation Film Challenge in April 2020. in light of the pandemic, teams were challenged to make a 3 minute film while sheltering-in-place and not breaching any rules having to do with Covid-19. Basically that left me (Diane) to write, shoot, act in, and edit the film. Thanks to my husband for his lines and hand-modeling, and my son for doing color grading. 35 teams began, 24 made the deadline.

Synopsis: A woman dealing with grief finds reasons to smile.

Awards:  2020 Almost Famous Film Festival - 1st Place, Best Cinematography, Outstanding Individual Performance, 2nd Place Audience Favorite. 2nd Place Use of Guidelines (line).

Screenings:  2020 Almost Famous Film Festival Online Screening

Key Crew and Main Actors:  Diane M. Dresback

Required Challenge Elements:  Theme - Transformation; Prop - Character must write on paper; Line - “There’s always tomorrow.”

Description:  This short film was created for the A3F 72 Hour Film Challenge in February 2020. What a great team of cast and crew to pull this fun, light-hearted film together! Forty teams made the deadline.

Synopsis: A new coffee shop owner struggles to get her customers talking and save her business.

Awards:  2020 Almost Famous Film Festival - 3rd Place Comedy

Screenings:  2020 Almost Famous Film Festival

Key Crew:  Diane M. Dresback (Writer and Director), Jay W. Lee (Director of Photography, Editor & Writer), Tray Goodman (Producer)

Main Actors:  Sylvie Cohen, Zoey Walker, James Ray, Kane Black, Sally Ann Frances, Jai Raja

Required Challenge Elements:  Theme - A Close Call; Prop - A Card; Line - "Never do that again"

TO LIFE is a short magical dramedy about female friendship and joy following loss.

Synopsis: After a funeral reception, three women mourn the loss of their beloved friend. Unsure how to cope going forward, they receive advice from an unexpected and outspoken guest.

Director & Story By: Diane M. Dresback

Writers: Diane M. Dresback and Lindsey Loon

Producer: Lindsey Loon

Director of Photography: Katherine Castro

CAST:

Chrissy: Lindsey Loon

Alex: Ammie Leonards

Jen: Beth Shea

Sarah: Victoria Savage

Ernie Finster: Timothy Daniel Allen

Mr. Finster: Woody Wilson

Mrs. Finster: Janet Spencer

To Life was funded through a successful crowd funding campaign and private funding. Here is the link to our Seed & Spark Campaign.

Screenings: 2022 SkipTown Film Fest, 2019 Connect Film Festival Los Angeles, 2019 SARCE Austin, 2019 SARCE Los Angeles, HollyShorts December 2018 Program, 2018 Jerome Indie Film and Music Festival, 2018 Woods Hole Film Festival.

We appreciate all of our financial backers, supporters, and followers!

Synopsis:  When an impossible fire burns a man's life to the ground, he's forced to examine the way he's living it.

Description:  Once again, Devon, Trenton, and I teamed up with some fantastic actors and dedicated crew to create our film SMOKE SIGNALS for the A3F 48 Hour Film Challenge in February 2014. This was their 10th anniversary and the competition was indeed stiff. 

Awards:  2014 Almost Famous Film Festival - Overall Best Drama, Best Cinematography, Best Ensemble Acting (Jarod Anderson, Colleen Hartnett, Bill Wetherill), Best Actor (Jarod Anderson), Outstanding Performance (Colleen Hartnett)

Screenings:  2014 Almost Famous Film Festival

Key Crew:  Devon Dresback (Director & Editor), Trenton Kennedy (Writer), Diane M. Dresback (Producer), Zach Slager (Director of Photography)

Main Actors:  Jarod Anderson, Colleen Hartnet, Bill Wetherill

Required Challenge Elements:  Theme - Temptation; Prop - Character must press a button; Line - "This should be interesting"

Behind-the-Scenes Photographs:  https://vimeo.com/90608040

Synopsis:  It's all nostalgia and smiles until someone asks, "Why did we break up, anyway?"  Afterword explores one couple's footnotes to a past relationship.

Description:  AFTERWORD was created for the A3F 48 Hour Film Challenge in February 2013. The team was amazing as we overcame crazy obstacles and shot in six locations in less than 24 hours (barely). 

Awards:  Connect Film Festival (Australia) - Best Female Actor (Colleen Hartnett); Almost Famous Film Festival - Overall Best Film, Best Director, Best Script, Audience Favorite, Outstanding Actors (Colleen Hartnett & Rafael Munguia)

Screenings:  2016 Connect Film Festival - Austin & Australia, 2013 Almost Famous Film Festival, 2013 Phoenix Burton Barr Library, 2013 Jerome Indie Film and Music Festival, 2013 Colorado Filmstock Film Festival

Key Crew:  Devon Dresback (Director), Trenton Kennedy (Writer), Diane M. Dresback (Producer), Charles Cartwright (Director of Photography), Jerrod Saba (Editor)

Main Actors:  Colleen Hartnett, Rafael Munguia

Required Challenge Elements:  Theme - Something Magical; Prop - Character puts on or takes off a ring; Line - "I can't believe it worked"

Press:  http://jumpshipfilms.com/2013/03/16/project-spotlight-afterword/

Behind-the-Scenes Photographs:  https://vimeo.com/90600404

Synopsis:  Hope believes she has found her dream job working for Wish Incorporated. Wish Inc. grants wishes made by thousands of people all over the world every day as they toss coins into fountains. The company has been in business through several generations and is led by The Wish Master. However, Hope soon finds out that the job is not as she had expected. Now she must decide if and how she can still make a difference in the granting of wishes.

Description:  Mindclover Productions assembled a very talented team for the October 2011 A3F 72 Hour Musical Challenge. Many talented actors and crew members brought this film together and truly this was a collaborative effort.

Awards:  Almost Famous Film Festival - Top Ten film, 3rd Place Overall Film, 2nd Place Audience Favorite, Best Script, Best Use of Prop

Screenings:  2019 SARCE Attic Austin, 2018 APA Ladies Film Night Out, 2012 Prescott Film Festival, 2012 Prescott Film Festival Monthly Film Series, 2012 Phoenix Comicon, 2012 LepreCon 38 Indie Film Festival, 2012 Phoenix Film Festival, 2012 Winnipeg Canada Real to Reel Film Festival, 2011 Almost Famous Film Festival

Key Crew:  Diane M. Dresback (Screenwriter & Director), Bob Marquis, Mark Greenawalt, Stephanie Mello & Webb Pickersgill (Writers), Webb Pickersgill (Director of Photography), Bob Marquis (Editor), Mark Greenawalt (Special Effects Makeup Artist & Original Music & Lyrics)

Main Actors:  Bivás Biswas, Kane Black, Stephanie Mello, Dona Wood

Required Challenge Elements:  Theme - Broken Promise; Prop - Coin tossed by a character; Line - "Give me a second to think about it"

WATCH a Behind The Idea (BTI) segment on Wish Inc. HERE

Synopsis:  In a country school classroom, a German teacher is struck by the boredom of her students during a routine reading session. Desiring to have a lasting impact on these young, impressionable minds and encourage them to not let life pass them by, she turns to fresh surroundings and deeply personal reflections in order to ignite the infinite realm of possibilities available for the taking. Her efforts are rewarded by the unexpected inspiration of one adventurous boy and his friends.

Description:  Mindclover worked with Apairus Company on this film. This was a seven week challenge. We have some fun behind the scenes stories from this project! There were 17 teams that made the deadline and were screened.

Awards:  IFP - Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress (Nathalie Cadieux), Emerging Actor (Dakota Battle); Best Short Film (G-Technology's Driven Creativity Competition

Screenings:  2012 Filmstock Film Festival, 2012 G-Technology's Driven Creativity Competition, 2012 Prescott Film Festival, 2012 Hollywood Feel Good Film Festival, 2012 Sunscreen Film Festival, 2012 NFFTY Film Festival, 2012 Phoenix Film Festival, 2011 IFP Breakout Challenge

Key Crew:  Devon Dresback (Director), Benjamin Bates (Writer), Diane M. Dresback (Executive Producer), Bret Kalmbach (Director of Photography), Jerrod Saba (Editor)

Main Actors:  Dakota Battle, McKenzie Burke, Nathalie Cadieux, Austin Pederson

Required Challenge Elements:  Theme - Don't let life pass you by

Press:

 http://www.apocalypselaterfilm.com/2012/07/come-follow-me-2011.html,

http://www.examiner.com/review/ifp-breakout-challenge-films-either-lead-follow-or-get-out-of-the-way 

Synopsis:  Maggie Benter visits the studio of sculpture artist, Norman Manning to assist in identifying the thief of one of his most prized pieces, a gift for someone very special. Her patience with him may be tested but her resilience remains as she attempts to ignite a bond between the two of them.

Description:  SPARK is a result of the IFP Phoenix Masterpiece Challenge. We were given just four weeks to complete the film with the only stipulation being it had to be inspired from a piece of art at the Phoenix Art Museum and be no longer than seven minutes. I chose artwork created in 1937 called Paris by Charles Biederman. Its disconnected yet beautiful lines led to a love story of sorts that takes place in the studio of a modern day sculptor. A huge thanks to Kevin Caron Studios for allowing us to shoot in his studio! A small but extremely hard working cast and crew brought my script to life and we hope to provide a short but touching journey for our audience.

Screenings:  2013 Jerome Indie Film and and Music Festival, 2013 Phoenix Comicon Film Festival, 2013 Phoenix Film Festival, 2012 IFP Masterpiece Challenge

Key Crew:  Diane M. Dresback (Writer, Director & Producer), JW Lee (Director of Photography & Editor

Main Actors:  Kane Black, Nathalie Cadieux

Required Challenge Elements:  Inspiration taken from a piece of art at the Phoenix Art Museum

Synopsis:  Miranda deals with difficult childhood memories but ultimately finds peace in the one experience she had forgotten.

Description:  INDIGO CHILD is a short film inspired by a true story by Kimber Leigh. We had the privilege to work with excellent actors including young Paris Rayne. This was her first film work.

Screenings:  2014 Phoenix Comicon, 2014 Jerome Indie Film & Music Festival.

Key Crew:  Diane M. Dresback (Writer, Directorr & Producer), Kimber Leigh (Producer), JW Lee (Director of Photography & Editor)

Main Actors:  Cheridy Clement, Todd Isaac, Paris Rayne, Shellie Ulrich

Synopsis:  Change of Eddie - A band struggles to get along -- Hart of Gold - A planned heist goes awry.

Description:  Mindclover Productions and Robobabe Factories worked together on these two films for the A3F 48 Hour Film Challenge in February 2011. There were over 70 teams that participated. We decided to take on shooting TWO films within the 48 hour time limit and surprise the audience a bit with the related stories...yeah, we're a bit nuts!

Awards:  Almost Famous Film Festival - Change of Eddie and Hart of Gold - Top Twenty films; Hart of Gold - 3rd Place Audience Favorite

Screenings:  2011 Phoenix Comicon, 2011 Almost Famous Film Festival

Key Crew:  Devon Dresback & Trenton Kennedy (Co-Writers and Co-Directors), Diane M. Dresback & Todd "Hutch" Hutchings (Producers), Devon Dresback & Ryan Lee Caldwell (Editors)

Main Actors:  Kane Black, Ryan Lee Caldwell, Patrick Giglio, Scott Kos, Rafael Munguia, Trenton Kennedy

Required Challenge Elements:  Theme - Change of Heart; Prop - Envelope opened up or sealed by a character; Line - "I hope this works"

Synopsis: A man is blackmailed for his indiscretions

Description:  We worked with a really fun team on this film challenge for the February 2012 A3F 48 Hour Challenge. It certainly takes a fine group of talented individuals to pull this all together in just 48 hours. There were 66 teams that registered.

Awards:  Almost Famous Film Festival - 3rd Place Audience Favorite, Selected as a Top Twenty film

Screenings:  2012 Almost Famous Film Festival

Key Crew:  Diane M. Dresback and Mike Farrell (Co-Writers and Co-Directors), Earnest Robinson (Director of Photography), Ryan Lee Caldwell (Editor)

Main Actors:  Bivás Biswas, Seth Gandrud, Colleen Hartnett

Required Challenge Elements:  Theme - Lost Love; Prop - Character setting a time piece; Line - "This could get complicated"

Synopsis:  A recent immigrant working as a janitor struggles to adapt to his new country and menial job and shares his frustrations with his co-worker.  But as the two make their cleaning rounds, they are confronted with a shocking discovery and the man realizes that happiness depends not on his station in life, but his freedom to live it.

Description:  HALLWAYS was made for the IFP Phoenix 48 Hour Film Challenge in July 2012. Cast and crew included many of my past cohorts plus some new faces. As usual, it was a very long weekend, but most definitely a pleasant one due to the wonderful people on our team! Absolutely love the collaboration that it takes to make these films happen within just two days.

Awards:  IFP - Best Film Trailer

Screenings:  2012 IFP Phoenix 48 Hour Challenge

Key Crew:  Diane M. Dresback (Director & Producer), Matt Himlin (Writer), Michelle Notrica (Producer), Earnest Robinson (Director of Photography), Ryan Lee Caldwell (Editor)

Main Actors:  Bivás Biswas, Jessica Bryn

Required Challenge Elements:  Genre - Inspirational; Prop - Padlock; Line - "Do you think it is worth it?"

Press: 

http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/movies/articles/2012/08/26/20120826phoenix-48-hour-beat-clock-film-challenge.html

Synopsis:  A woman makes a split decision in a coffee shop that just might save her life.

Description:  POSSIBLE was written, shot and edited for the A3F 72 Hour Film Script Challenge in October 2013. It was a little different in that all teams were provided the opening and closing scenes. The location, genre and characters were left up to us as well as the whole middle of the film. Mindclover and Mystic Willow Films teamed up to produce the film and I worked with an entirely new crew.

Awards:  Almost Famous Film Festival - Best Use of Theme, Outstanding Actor Award (Julie Van Lith), Top Twenty Films

Screenings:  2013 Almost Famous Film Festival

Key Crew:  Diane M. Dresback (Director & Producer), Deb Blume, Diane M. Dresback, Samantha Marie & Jamie Rivera (Co-Writers), Samantha Marie & Jamie Rivera (Cinematographers), Samantha Marie (Editor)

Main Actors:  Deb Blume, Seth Gandrud, Julie Van Lith

Required Challenge Elements:  Theme - Split Second Decision; Opening Scene - Two characters, 3 assigned lines of dialogue, character puts hand into a bag; Closing Scene - One character, 1 assigned line of dialogue, opens fist to reveal key

Strategies to Find and Lead Volunteer Groups More Effectively

Frustrated with leading a group of volunteers who won't commit, can't stay on topic or don't follow through?

Elected Leader, Now What? is an easy self-paced online course designed for the leaders of volunteer teams and committees to help gain useful insights and develop new strategies for building and leading volunteers. The subject matter is geared for non-profits, churches, community organizations and whoever utilizes volunteers. 

Short light-hearted video clips are used to illustrate certain learning points.

Find out more about what you will learn and take a peek at some of the sections at this link:  Elected Leader, Now What?

Description:  This is the first scene from a fictional, narrative educational piece created for Phillip Akinwale (Praizion Media). Phill wrote the script specifically to use in his Project Management Professional training courses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CEmOFh7vqk

Key Crew:  Diane M. Dresback (Director, Producer & Editor), Phillip Akinwale (Writer & creator for most of the Music), Bret Kalmbach - Apairus Company (Director of Photography) 

Synopsis:  Naturally positive Victoria has high expectations for a neighborhood program designed to "connect" people in the community. Together, with her skeptical husband, Carl, they experience a very unexpected connection with an interesting couple - Mel and Lennie.

Description:  Mindclover Productions had the pleasure of bringing together some very talented and fine people to produce SWEET CONNECTIONS. A light-hearted short film basically written as a way to get my mind off of some heavy psychological thriller script I was working on (which actually turned into my first produced feature film -PARANOIA -renamed to ATROPHY). What fun it was to shoot and edit this film!

Awards:  Best Actress Award, 2011 Arizona Film & Media (Kimber Leigh)

Screenings:  2011 Phoenix Comicon, 2011 Filmstock Best of 2010 films, 2010 Filmstock Film Festival

Key Crew:  Diane M. Dresback (Writer, Director & Producer), Keith A. Carlson (Director of Photography), Keegan Ead (Camera Operator), Diane M. Dresback & Keith A. Carlson (Editors)

Main Actors:  Gino Calabro, Kimber Leigh, Danae McKillop, Dion Wade

Synopsis:  Naturally positive Victoria has high expectations for a neighborhood program designed to "connect" people in the community. Together, with her skeptical husband, they experience a very unexpected connection.

Description:  This was an experimental and fun edit! After I edited SWEET CONNECTIONS, I decided to play around a bit and created a shortened, silent version of that film, hence...SWEET SILENCE.

Key Crew:  Diane M. Dresback (Writer, Director, Producer & Editor), Keith A. Carlson (Director of Photography), Keegan Ead (Camera Operator)

Main Actors:  Gino Calabro, Kimber Leigh, Danae McKillop, Dion Wade

Synopsis:  When does passion get in the way of other important things?

Description: This was a new challenge...making a short film in just 24 hours! We worked with a crew of three and after it was all said and done, THOSE OF PASSION ranked 7th out of 33 films.

Awards:  Almost Famous Film Festival - Selected as a Top Twenty film

Screenings:  2012 Almost Famous Film Festival

Key Crew:  Diane M. Dresback (Writer, Director & Producer), Earnest Robinson (Director of Photography & Editor)

Main Actors:  Eli Godfrey, Marcella Grassa

Required Challenge Elements:  Theme - Hidden Agenda; Prop - Character opening or closing a box; Line - "Let's get this over with"

Synopsis:  Four unsuspecting characters enter a church in search of information that could change the course of life itself. However, the information is not meant for their eyes.

Description:  Mindclover Productions joined with Kimber Leigh Productions and Biswas Film Studios to create VEIL for the A3F 48 Hour Film Challenge in February 2010. There were 76 teams that registered, 56 that made the deadline and only 20 that were selected for screening at an AMC theatre in Phoenix. We had a great crew and cast so watch all the credits at the end of the film!

Awards:  Almost Famous Film Festival - Top Twenty films, Best Overall Style

Key Crew:  Bivás Biswas (Director, Director of Photography & Editor), Diane M. Dresback (Writer), Kimber Leigh (Producer)

Main Actors:  Erin Flannery, Mario Guzan, Kimber Leigh, Layla & Dakota Raffaele, James Ray, Yong Tak

Screenings:  2010 Almost Famous Film Festival

Required Challenge Elements:  Theme - A white lie; Prop - Mirror; Line - "What just happened?"

Synopsis:  As a child, Dana lost faith in her ability to dream when her parents separated. Later in life, circumstances in her own marriage to Brian present her with a choice between separation or a shift in perception towards a world of faith, hope and dreams.

Description:  Mindclover Productions joined with Biswas Film Studios to create a short film called COPPER. This was truly a labor of love for the cast and crew.

Screenings:  2010 Phoenix Film Festival

Key Crew:  Bivás Biswas (Director, Director of Photography & Editor), Diane M. Dresback (Writer), Kimber Leigh (Producer)

Main Actors:  Madison Cook, Erin Flannery, Mario Guzman, Michael Harrelson, Kimber Leigh, Ermma Sewell

Synopsis: An unsuspecting customer comes in for a simple trim but ends up with more than he bargained for.

Description:  For this 2009 IFP 48 hour competition, we pulled the Film Noir genre. It was different from what we've done in the past, so we enjoyed the creativity of the whole project. With just 48 hours to write, shoot, edit and return our film, we were among 20 of 24 teams who finished their films by the deadline. The actual film was limited to 3 minutes, however on the version here, we took the extra time to give proper credit to our incredible team that made it all happen.

Screenings:  2009 IFP 48 Hour Film Challenge

Key Crew:  Diane M. Dresback (Writer, Director, Producer & Editor), Keith A. Carlson (Director of Photography)

Main Actors:  Rachel Allen, Timothy D. Allen, Andrea Sipe, Reagan Sipe

Required Challenge Elements:  Prop - Trophy; Line of dialogue - "I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to do that"

Synopsis:  A nurse takes things into her own hands when she disagrees with the practices of a doctor

Description:  Only our second 48 hour film challenge, we were assigned the genre of science fiction. It was great fun despite only two hours of sleep and a “touch” of stress at the end when we broke several speed limits zooming across town to meet the deadline by just 5 minutes! There were 14 teams out of 17 who finished their films. 

Awards:  48 Hour Film Project - Best Score, Best Prop, 2nd Place Acting, 2nd Place Writing, 2nd Place Editing

Screenings:  2008 48 Hour Film Project

Key Crew:  Trenton Kennedy (Director), Diane M. Dresback & Trenton Kennedy (Co-Writers), Keith A. Carlson (Director of Photography & Editor)

Main Actors:  Diane M. Dresback, Tim Richards, Dorman J. Smith

Required Challenge Elements:  Prop - Backpack; Line - "Shhh! Silence please!"; Character - Art or Arlene Fuller, Loan Officer

Synopsis:  Sam lives in a safe house with a few other survivors after the entire planet is infected with a fatal disease. 

Description:  For our third 48 hour competition, we again pulled the science fiction genre. This project was the debut film for Devon Dresback (age 17 at the time)...we thought he did a terrific job! There were 23 teams out of 28 who finished their films by the deadline.

Screenings:  2009 IFP 48 Hour Film Challenge

Key Crew:  Devon Dresback (Writer & Director), Diane M. Dresback (Producer), Keith A. Carlson (Director of Photography & Editor)

Main Actors:  TJ Bucco, Dorman J. Smith 

Required Challenge Elements:  Prop - Still Camera; Line - "You've gone too far!"

Synopsis:  The government has found a way to dramatically reduce violent crime in the United States by placing the Vx2 implant in people's brains. Accepting the implant guarantees wealth and opportunities to live a happy and successful life. But, what might the tradeoff be?

Description:  Mindclover Productions participated in the A3F 48 Hour One-Shot Film Challenge. A One-Shot is when you can film as many takes as you want, but you can only submit one. They allow two clicks of the camera - On and Off! You can add music, voice over, special effects and titles in post-production, but you cannot edit the video. So, the goal is to have everyone (both cast and crew) do everything perfectly one time and at the same time!! There were 30 teams that participated. Vx2 made it into the top 20 films. We had a great cast of actors as well as a patient crew.

Awards:  Almost Famous Film Festival - Top Twenty film

Screenings:  2011 Phoenix Comicon, 2010 Almost Famous Film Festival

Key Crew:  Diane M. Dresback (Writer, Director & Producer), Todd "Hutch" Hutchings (Producer), Keith A. Carlson (Director of Photography)

Main Actors:  William Connor, Todd "Hutch" Hutchings, Scott Kos, Julie Van Lith

Required Challenge Elements:  Theme - Miscalculation; Prop - Piece of paper that is crumpled up by a character; Line - "I have a bad feeling about this"

Here are some personal videos that may be of interest or at least hold some brief entertainment value!

In April 2009 and June 2011, documenting trips to Ethiopia were life changing experiences. Pastor Asfaw Bekele from El Bethel Church and Pastor Nathan Byrd (at the time at Historic First Presbyterian Church, Phoenix) were the leaders. El Bethel was an Ethiopian church that met in downtown Phoenix. We visited just a few of the 42 churches that El Bethel had planted in the rural areas of Ethiopia primarily working with the Borana people. It was amazing to see the incredible impact that a small congregation in America was having on thousands of people in the southern region of Ethiopia. 

Amidst our visit to Ethiopia, we grew to understand and embrace the untiring efforts of Pastor Tezara and his many pastors on the ground in Ethiopia. We found ourselves deeply changed by the experience.

It is a sobering thought to know that the $100 that I pay to take my family out for a nice dinner in America would pay for an entire year of education for a child in Ethiopia. Kind of puts things into perspective. The trip to Ethiopia was a reminder to be grateful for the blessings we enjoy in America.

It is easy to look out over a sea of faces and see just one mass group of people but when you begin to interact with individuals one on one by touching their hands and exchanging smiles, you suddenly realize that it’s not simply a mass group of people, but several individual people. Individuals knit together with unique likes and dislikes, a personality and a passion. When you take the time to look them in the eye, you no longer look across the masses, but suddenly long for a way to make a difference for that human being.

ELECTED LEADER, NOW WHAT?

This is an easy self-paced, online course to help the leaders of volunteers to become more effective with the committees or teams they are forming and leading. Short light-hearted video clips are used to help illustrate some of the learning points. More information here:  http://diane-dresback.teachable.com/courses/elected-leader-now-what

QUESTIONS, LESSONS, AND DAILY LIVING

This is an educational series created for use by individuals or small church groups. There are twelve 19 to 25 minute segments. There are a variety of responses, music, and poetry along with the 13 very interesting people offering their perspectives, knowledge and experiences on different and relevant daily living topics. 

DISCUSSION DRAMAS

Discussion Dramas were short films produced in 2008 through 2010 that were designed to spur on thought and conversation between people in small groups. Films include:

RE-TOOL- Commitment can be challenging. Roadblocks sometimes feel like they are going up all around us, yet the reward of sticking with something can provide a great sense of accomplishment.

THE FINAL STORY - Anne is faced with the difficult and emotional task of sorting through the home of her recently deceased mother. The house holds many difficult memories for Anne whose anger at her mother is still very apparent. A surprising find forces Anne to re-think embedded resentments and assumptions formed over a lifetime.

MIAH - Everyone should feel better knowing they have helped someone, but sometimes the outcome can be different from what we originally expected. It's hard to know all that makes up an individual and their unique situation.

CHELSEY'S EYES - Love, a simple, yet complicated emotion. One that touches every human being in some way or another. We may want more, we may need to give more, but regardless, we all are imperfect in the love we offer to others. We experience an evening with 8 year old Chelsey, through her eyes.

DID YOU HEAR? - The scenario of gossip is all too familiar to many of us. More often than we want to admit, we can become caught up in its snare. Taking a moment to think about what we say or how we participate in a conversation as we engage in it, can slow us down just enough to reconsider our intentions.

TROUBLED - They are everywhere. People we work with, go to school with, live with - they are our neighbors, parents of our children's teammates, relatives - they shop at the same stores we shop at, they workout at the same gym we do, and they eat next to us at tables in restaurants. They surround us - People who behave differently than we do. Sometimes we can ignore them, sometimes we cannot.

THE RICHEST MAN - We all make judgments about people, especially those we see living on the street. It's easy to make up preconceived explanations and decisions about these individuals based on our (most likely inaccurate) assumptions about them and why they are there. Who is truly the richest in life?

THE DOCTOR - All of us have most likely witnessed a child playing doctor at some point in our lives. In fact, chances are most of us probably played that professional role as children. Oh, to have the faith of a child! What joy there is in healing.

If you are interested in finding out more information, please email diane@mindclover.com.

Synopsis:  Laura's life is consumed by financial hardship and a struggling marriage. Yet, she finds that the love for her daughter reaches far beyond what she ever expected or could have imagined.

Description:  Mindclover Productions joined with SWAT HD to create TO SOME DEGREE. This project was made possible by many, many talented individuals both cast and crew.

Key Crew:  Steve Wargo (Director & Director of Photography), Diane M. Dresback (Writer), Kimber Leigh (Producer)

Main Actors:  Kimber Leigh, Katrina Matusek, James Ray, Gloria Robertson