The Hideout

CREDITS

Director: S.W. Jafar Writers: Jean-Paul Najm, Steven Piovesan Starring: Steven Piovesan, Eden Broda, Jean-Paul Najm, Matt Sears, Matt Willis Producers: S.W. Jafar, Jean-Paul Najm, Steven Piovesan Director of Photography: Asif Limbada Editors: S.W. Jafar and Asif Limbada Art Director: Elvin Pince Music by: Igor Vrabac and Ken Worth Sound Designer: Emily Bak Co-Producers: Matt Willis, Asif Limbada Executive Producer: Sean Thomas Production Manager: Aile Lagunas 1st AD: Matt Willis Sound Mixer: Jonah Blaser Stunt Coordinator: Mike Romano Colourist: Kevin Wu @ Art Jail SFX Supervisor: Matt Willis and Steven Piosevan HMU: Jen Cronin SFX Makeup: Steve Piovesan and Jen Cronin Gaffer: Douglas Cunningham 1st AC: Milos Savic 2nd AC: Taher Bhuj Key Grip: Rividu Mendis Best Boy: Minh Ne Special thanks: Bob Henderson and Margo Peck at White Clouds, Clare Johnston, Paul Johnson.

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

This script came to me from Jean-Paul Najm, an actor who collaborated with me on I Feel Uncomfortable on the Balcony. He eagerly approached me wanting to make an action film, and I had considered it having wanted to film an action sequence. Though I didn’t write the script or story, I decided to collaborate on The Hideout written by JP and fellow actor/writer Steven Piovesan. It did take a few months to tweak the script before we were able to capture this within our small budget. With the help of a trusted friend and cinematographer, Asif Limbada, we formed a partnership to produce the film, he would lens and I would direct. With his resources, we were able to stay on (micro) budget and make our attempt to capture a thriller.

The Spaghetti Western inspired shoot went through many rewrites before Sean Thomas, our collaborator and executive producer helped nudge us in the right direction.

We came to camera in the middle of February 2021 on the coldest week of the year in the outskirts of Toronto for a four day, back-to-back nights shoot. Everyone on the team was incredibly collaborative, and made the event into an exciting few days on set. Warmed by only burning wood and tobacco smoke, the crew worked diligently through the night to create this suspense driven thriller that is now available to watch today.

What solidified this film in the Neo-Noir-Spaghetti-Western genre was the work of award winning composer Igor Vrabac and his long time collaborator Ken Worth.

From dealing with union representatives, to shooting overnight, filming action sequences, and collaborating with a composer for the first time, this film was a stepping stone into recognizing what must be done to realize a film.