Shawn Mullins, right, a singer-songwriter from Atlanta, is co-starring in a film called "Delivery Boy Chronicles," which will be shown Wednesday at The 40 Watt club as part of the Sprockets Film Festival. (SPECIAL - The Red & Black)
The film community will be in the spotlight in downtown Athens early next week before the music gurus take over during AthFest next week.
Film::Athens has partnered with AthFest to present the Sprockets Film Festival.
Atlanta singer/songwriter Shawn Mullins will show his multiple talents in the coming days by both starring in a film and performing his soulful music.
While touring and finishing up his new album, which is due out in October, Mullins has auditioned for film roles on and off, including a part in the Oscar winning “Cold Mountain.”
Finally, thanks to his wife’s encouragment, he landed the role of Tig in 2004’s “Delivery Boy Chronicles” — an offbeat comedy filmed in Atlanta and set in Athens.
This film stood out to Mullins due to the writing.
|
“Writing is a key element to filmmaking,” he said. “Making a movie is kind of like making a CD because anyone can do it, but it is hard to find good writing.”
Hilarity begins with the opening scene of “Delivery Boy Chronicles” and lasts through the closing credits.
Right from the start, a man dressed as a camel discusses the cigarette companies’ plight to sell their product, and the film never slows down.
The movie centers around a group of friends stuck for one reason or another in their jobs as delivery drivers. Each has some problem or goal that all eventually intersect.
One character can’t afford his apartment. One wants to save the world. And another absolutely hates being mistaken as the “pizza boy.”
The cast includes Mullins and his wife Kelly Hobbs, along with Ralph Price and Chet Dixon.
The quirky characters never fail to entertain, and all of the actors do a great job portraying the crazy clan. And the dialogue is smart and interesting.
Mullins said he identifies with his character at times.
“I am more like that character when I’m grumpy or having a bad day,” he said.
For a small budget independent film, there are some impressive sequences, including one of a character hilariously hallucinating.
To sum up the movie, Mullins said it is “sardonic, makes you laugh, a little slapsticky and pokes fun at America and the government.”
The movie is for those who are in mood for some random amusement and something a little peculiar.
“Delivery Boy Chronicles” will play Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. at The 40 Watt Club as part of the Sprockets Music + Video Show. Filmmakers and cast will be there to discuss the film following the showing. After the Question-and-Answer session, music videos by Athens bands, like Now It’s Overhead, and filmmakers will be shown and judged by audience members and judges.
Shawn Mullins performs at the free stage outside of The 40 Watt Club on Washington Street on Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Also part of the film festival, Sprockets::Flicks will feature short, narrative documentary films made by locals. And Sprockets::Teenscreen will show short films by local teen filmmakers.
All admissions to the Film Festival is discounted for film::athens members. More information can be found at filmathens.net.