From viral video to feature film

Independent filmmakers will be the first to tell you showbiz is tough to break into. There’s rarely any money to actually produce a film, and once it’s done there’s the Herculean task of getting a distributor to watch it.

But modern technology is changing the way films are made, and a troupe of Vanguard University students are proof of the evolving entertainment paradigm.

It began when aspiring filmmakers David and Daniel Holechek produced a five-minute short that parodied the blockbuster “300.” Within a few days the video had gone viral, logging millions of views on www.youtube.com and www.myspace.com.

“It’s like, ‘Wow, people actually like something we’re doing,’” David Holechek said.

The short tells the story of five bumbling Spartans who were (foolishly) entrusted with guarding the goat path that eventually led to the defeat of their 300 compatriots at Thermopylae by the Persians.

Soon the twins were receiving hundreds of e-mails and messages asking for more. Orbit Media Group approached them with an offer to make it into the full-length feature that became “305,” which will show at the Newport Beach Film Festival.

“It’s the first feature to be made from a viral video,” says co-director David Holechek. “It might be a model film companies begin to look into.”

“305” has the appearance of being a higher-budget film — again thanks to modern technology. The movie was shot on green screen with the settings added in digitally later. Without having to build sets, the Holecheks were able to cut costs dramatically.

“Every shot is a special-effects shot — the movie was really made in post-production,” David Holechek said. “It gives you so much flexibility. We never would have been able to practically shoot it with practical photography.”

High-quality editing software is now available off the shelf, Daniel Holechek said. “That technology has been in the past reserved for really high budgets and advanced digital effects artists.”

This not only freed up the duo’s budget, but also let them have more fun with the settings. Daniel Holechek said the post-production really got their creative juices flowing.

“We could kind of construct the sets in post so we were able to let our imaginations run wild,” Dan Holechek said.

The actors were allowed and even required to explore their creativity too. The cast is anchored by funnymen Tim Larson and Brandon Tyra.

Tyra said working with a green screen takes a bit of adaptation from acting in traditional sets.

“It was kind of like, ‘OK, you’re reaching your hand out, and pretend there’s a TV screen there,” Tyra said. “You have to trust them that there’s not going to be some big gorilla there on screen.”

The actors were given scripts to work from, but many of the gags within the story were improvised. The Holecheks said this served well to separate “305” from other “300” spoofs like “Meet the Spartans.”

“We really wanted to get away from the more recent spoofs that just throw out as many random pop culture references as possible and call it funny,” Dan Holechek said.

The filmmakers strove to make a movie that had its own story without leaning too much on the original film, David Holechek said. They also wanted to make a movie that was funny without being overly raunchy.

“If it’s a joke a 12-year-old boy would tell his friends, then we’ll go for it,” he said.

The Holecheks agree making the film has been a great experience. It has given them the confidence and skills to start actively working together on small projects in Los Angeles. Their ability to play off one another’s strengths may help them become a Coen Brothers-esque team.

“It’s not something a lot of people get to do, working with your best friend and family,” Daniel Holechek said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “305” at the Newport Beach Film Festival.

WHERE: Edwards Island 7, Fashion Island, 999 Newport Center Drive.

WHEN: 9:30 p.m., April 28.

COST: $11; newportbeach.bside. com/2008/films.

INFORMATION: www.myspace.com/305movie.

JOSH ADEN may be reached at (714) 966-4609 or at [email protected].