Benjamin Bates is the son of my old and good friend Don Bates (since our days together at Flowing Wells High School), who are both also my colleagues in the creation of the aznb.com websites.
Benjamin has a degree in (I think) Theater Arts, and has dabbled in making a couple of short films. He recently submitted his first full-length movie script “Walrus Eating Baloney” to the IFP (Independent Film Producers?) contest in New York City.
A few weeks ago he was told that he was one of 5 finalists for the grand prize, so last week he flew back to New York for the Filmmaker Awards Ceremony. Amazingly enough, he won the $10,000 Grand Prize — first place!
He made the Variety Magazine website.
An industry insider’s blog said:
What was interesting is that the one guy who had never made a film at all (Benjamin Bates, “Walrus Eating Baloney”) brought the most arresting visual presentation – a sort of portfolio of pics, sketchings, writings and perhaps more that had a strong visceral appeal and displayed some real creative ambition.
and
And, guess what? Benjamin Bates, the filmmaker who’d never made a film, but impressed us with his visual homework, won the Screenwriting Award for “Walrus Eating Baloney”.
Among the shoulder-rubbers and award presenters were actress Ally Sheedy (“Wargames”, “The Breakfast Club”, “Short Circuit”…), actor Kevin Corrigan (“Pineapple Express”, “Definitely, Maybe”, “Superbad”…) and other actors, directors and producers.
Major congratulations to Benjamin! He hopes to start filming sometime next spring, but with all the new contacts and the overload of info from New York he is going to take some time to sort things out and decide the best way to take the next step.
By the way, the script is about an old man with Alzheimer’s and two deaf-mutes who life throws together on a trip to Miami.
I rub shoulders with the rich and famous every day. Ok, I share a freeway or 2 with them. Similar
Anyways, congrats to Benjamin! Very cool.
Comment by Don — September 25, 2008 @ 4:09 pm
It is amazing what Benjamin has done. He is coasting along with no money, no home and a bunch of ideas. My Son!
Comment by Don Bates — September 25, 2008 @ 4:10 pm
Here’s Benjamin with the above mentioned Ally Sheedy and Kevin Corrigan.
Comment by Daryl — September 25, 2008 @ 4:56 pm
Wow, very cool. You told me about him being in the running for the award. What great news that he won. I can’t wait to see the film.
Comment by Donna — September 25, 2008 @ 7:16 pm
Congratulations to Benjamin. I can brag that he did work for me before he became famous; my web site would not be as attractive as it is, if not for him.
Comment by Mom — September 25, 2008 @ 8:18 pm
Good for him! The concept sounds very interesting and I’ll be looking for the film sometime in near future.
Ditto to what Mom said!
Comment by Dianna — September 27, 2008 @ 9:54 am
[…] mentioned about a year ago that my friend Benjamin won first prize in a New York City Screenwriters […]
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