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| New Film Illustrates Challenges Created by Bikes, Cars, and Pedestrians Sharing the Road CHICAGO – Tensions between bike-riders, motorists and pedestrians in an already intense urban environment will be showcased in a new film produced by Columbia College Chicago graduate student Marie Ullrich. Faster!, which is Ullrich’s thesis film at Columbia, is currently in preproduction and will go into production (principal photography) from May 30th – June 7th. It is based on a feature film she wrote that qualified as a finalist for the Sundance filmmakers labs. “While bike-riding in urban areas like Chicago has become more popular due to both a growing environmental consciousness and a sour economy, it has greatly accelerated tensions with motorists and pedestrians who are vying for space on congested roadways,” Ullrich observed. “In Faster!, I wanted to realistically depict those frustrations which are becoming all too commonplace.” She indicated that her short term goals for Faster! are to raise funds to make the feature film while expressing the hope to eventually take it to the Cannes Marché du Film (Film Market). “But the short is not a trailer,” she added. “It stands on its own as a short film and will hopefully play in film festivals internationally.” The plot concerns a bike messenger who is struggling to stay alive and afloat in a harsh urban environment in which poverty and aggressive drivers threaten her everyday existence. To assure authenticity as well as safety, Ullrich is working with the local messenger community in Chicago. Another major character is blind, and to assure that the individual’s disability is treated accurately and fairly, Ullrich is working with The Chicago Lighthouse and other groups to bring authenticity to the role. Some key elements of the film are already generating buzz. Scriptwriter and Script Doctor William M. Akers called the lead character, Jasper, the “coolest character he has ever come across in his 20 years in the film business.” An MFA student in the film & video program at Columbia, Ullrich specializes in writing and directing the narrative film. Previously she worked freelance in the film industry as an Associate Producer and in the Art Department for feature films, PBS series, reality shows, nationally broadcast commercials and the Superbowl Halftime show. In addition to being a finalist at Sundance, Ullrich is a two time Weisman Award winner, winning one Weisman for Faster! and one for her previous short film, Cache. Her script for Cache won a national biennial prize in Letters from the National League of American Pen Women. In addition, she teaches Film Production at Columbia and also for the Digital Media Academy, a bootcamp-style film workshop that is affiliated with Stanford University. Ullrich indicated that she is currently raising funds for the film’s production and marketing, and the film web site, fastershortfilm.com will be launched shortly. The web site will also feature information on bicycle safety and a “share the road” approach to sharing the city streets. In addition it will link to the Lighthouse website to make visitors aware of services available to blind or visually impaired Chicagoans. Anyone wishing to help support the production of Faster! can contact Ullrich by calling 773/633-6280; e-mail marie.ullrich@gmail.com or visit fastershortfilm.com |
CONTACT: Marie Ullrich 773/633-6280 (cell) marie.ullrich@gmail.com DOWNLOADS: Faster! Pre Production Press Release (PDF) LINKS: dispatch 101 Interview Ruth L. Ratny‘s Reel Chicago covers Faster! |
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