Short Films

The people I met in ChomPics went on to become some of my best friends and my most frequent collaborators. ChomPics was a great start for us and a great way to meet people interested in filmmaking, but there were some among us for whom ChomPics was not enough. Perhaps my first realization of this came when I was approached by René Ciarmataro and Aliette Barboza: they'd written a rough draft of a script for the Santa Fe 48-Hour Film Festival and needed some actors for the roles. Knowing how I enjoy being on-camera and helping with any sort of production, they cast me in the role of Buddy L'Elph - whose name I came up with (think about it). After a few suggestions for script edits and an attempted monologue done with a Bane impersonation, 'Ripped' was made. Shortly thereafter, Aliette and Mitchell Kerby had to film a live studio project and came up with a parody of 'Between Two Ferns' in which a Zack Galifinakis lookalike would interview power couple, Kim and Kanye. Impressed by my dry delivery and improvisational skills, I was cast as Mack Kalifilakis. Fast-forward to the Summer of 2014: My good friends and fellow Off University writers René Ciarmataro and Darren Cohn had penned a short film for their final EFP project. They offered me the lead role as Dennis Freeman and sent him to 'The Valley'. (I was very sick during the making of this film, my biggest performative challenge to date.) In the Fall of 2014, I was a student in a live studio production course. The other half of my class had prepared a Dating Game parody sketch. I was recruited to play airhead surfer dude Kaia alongside my very good friend Kelbin Ramirez. Finally, senior year came. Darren and René, the writing dream team, once again opted for drama. They also, once again, opted to cast me as the lead. They also cast Vanessa Gutierrez opposite me, allowing for a full reunion of 'The Valley' team. For the rest of my life I will be sitting by the phone awaiting the day Darren and René require my dramatic services. I often joke that I'm the Jason Schwartzman to their Wes Anderson. (I say "I joke", but I'm not really joking.)

To The Brink

Nobody's roommate is perfect, especially not Evan's (Kenny Stewart). But after food in his labeled tupperware has been eaten for the umpteenth time, Evan snaps. Unable to process or resolve what he's done, he has no choice but call Em (Vanessa Gutierrez) for backup.

Written, Directed, & Edited by Darren Cohn & René Ciarmataro
Starring Vanessa Gutierrez, Kenny Stewart, & Nikhil Warier
Featuring Darren Cohn

Filmed for a Dramatic Production Workshop final project.
April 2016
That 70s Dating Show (The Dating Game parody)

In this episode of That 70s Dating Show, our host with the most Chad Johansson (Kelbin Ramirez) is joined by surfer dude Kaia (Kenny Stewart) to see if any of our lucky ladies might be a suitable fit. Though he puts the CHILL in baCHILLor, Kaia might find it more difficult than he thought being so eligible.

Directed by Xander Hladik
Starring Kelbin Ramirez, Carly Silverman, Lila Stallone, Kenny Stewart, & Nicole Thompson

Filmed for a Live Studio project.
December 2014
The Valley

Chronically ill, bored, and unhappy, Dennis Freeman (Kenny Stewart) has been chosen as one of the lucky few invited to live in The Valley - a utopian community free from conflict, sickness, or danger. Unfortunately, this means leaving his fiancée (Vanessa Gutierrez) behind. Upon arriving at The Valley, he is filled with questions, ones even mysterious Valley hostess Quinn (Monica Marin) can't answer.

Written, Directed, & Edited by René Ciarmataro, Darren Cohn, & Verónica Fuentes
Starring Kenny Stewart & Monica Marin
Featuring Aliette Barboza, René Ciarmataro, Darren Cohn, Verónica Fuentes, & Vanessa Gutierrez

Filmed for Electronic Field Production final project.
August 2014
Around Three Cacti ('Between Two Ferns' parody)

Mack Kalifilakis (Kenny Stewart) has the world's most famous couple on the show to see what all the buzz in the news is about.

Directed by Aliette Barboza
Starring Chehade Boulos, Taylor Davis, & Kenny Stewart

Filmed for a Live Studio project.
April 2014
RIPPED

Buddy L'Elph (Kenny Stewart) has been detained for a crime he can't remember committing, and the authorities are NOT going easy on him. Has Buddy been framed? Is he a thief? Is he a murderer?!? Watch and find out...

Directed by Aliette Barboza, René Ciarmataro, & Mitchell Kerby
Written by Aliette Barboza, René Ciarmataro, Mitchell Kerby & Kenny Stewart
Shot & Edited by Mitchell Kerby
Starring Kenny Stewart & Joe Sayers
Featuring Aliette Barboza, René Ciarmataro, & Mitchell Kerby

Filmed for the 2014 Santa Fe Community College 24-Hour Film Festival.
February 2014
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