A Tall Drink of Walter
Credits
Cast
Walter - J. Antonio
Landlady - Bettina Skye
Crew
Produced by
The Cremer Brothers & Grace Soriano
Written & Directed by
Grace Soriano
Director of Photography
Joe Cremer
First Sound Engineer
Herb Cremer
Second Sound Engineer
Nathan Bedford
Thank you to the Bedfords.
A strange outsider harboring a secret looks for lodging in the home of a lustful woman with many questions.
Trailer
Director's Statement (Grace Soriano)
This film was started as a Film I project for my college class. The professor gave us two weeks to finish our screenplay and
shoot the film. I collaborated with JoeBert Entertainment to complete the film as they supplied the equipment and were able to guide me as a first-time director. For this project, I stripped down my original vision to its barest bones, utilizing minimalism to tell the story in a way that could be done on no budget and with the fewest resources necessary.
I hired Bettina, having worked with her prior to filming this short. Using her contacts, she was able to help us cast J. to play Walter the day before filming. Even though there was a bit of difficulty working with an inexperienced actor, I was able to overcome each challenge as it arose during filming. Many sacrifices to my original vision had to be made in order to fit the constraints put on the production, notably a third character that appeared in the original draft of the script, but had to be cut due to the filming limitations I faced.
A friend of mine was able to lend his house for filming, which took place over a single day. In order to manage the limited time I had to severely reduce my initial shot list and combine all separate shots in Scene 2 into one long tracking shot.
Less than halfway through filming, the Boom Mic Operator fell ill and needed to be replaced. Thankfully, the friend who lent me his house was able to take over the position until filming was completed.
Before editing the film was completed, I was admitted to the hospital with a severe case of the flu. My professor gave me an extension to have the film completed and I worked with Joe Cremer (Producer/Cinematographer) to finalize editing.
I was inspired by the work of Nicolas Roeg, specifically The Man Who Fell to Earth to create this film. I wanted to tell the story of an extraterrestrial alien, but without the need for any special effects or makeup to portray the alien. The experience and obstacles making this, my first film, has helped me become better prepared for future projects and the challenges they bring.
Screenings & Official Selections
Awards & Nominations
Production Information
Year of Production
Duration
Genre
Camera
Ratio
Language
Budget
Filming Locations
2018
5:00
Comedy
Canon 6D w/ Rokinon Cine Lenses
16:9
English
$75.10
Hewitt, NJ, USA
Photo Gallery
D.P. Joe Cremer frames a shot of J. Antonio (Walter).
J. Antonio (Walter) and Bettina Skye (Landlady) get ready to shoot.
Writer/Director Grace Soriano directs Bettina Skye (Landlady) and J. Antonio (Walter) while D.P. Joe Cremer frames the shot.
J. Antonio (Walter) and Bettina Skye (Landlady) perform with Sound Mixer Herb Cremer, Writer/Director Grace Soriano and D.P. Joe Cremer.
J. Antonio (Walter) and Bettina Skye (Landlady) perform with Sound Mixer Herb Cremer, Writer/Director Grace Soriano and D.P. Joe
D.P. Joe Cremer and Writer/Director set up the next shot with J. Antonio (Walter).
Writer/Director Grace Soriano with the audio equipment as Sound Mixer Herb Cremer and J. Antonio (Walter) get ready for the next shot.
J. Antonio (Walter) and Bettina Skye (Landlady) pose for the camera.
Writer/Director Grace Soriano gives direction to Bettina Skye (Landlady) and J. Antonio (Walter) while D.P. Joe Cremer and Sound Mixer Herb Cremer get ready to shoot.
Writer/Director Grace Soriano gives direction to Bettina Skye (Landlady) and J. Antonio (Walter) while D.P. Joe Cremer and Sound Mixer Herb Cremer get ready to shoot.
D.P. Joe Cremer sets up a shot while Sound Mixer Herb Cremer, Bettina Skye (Landlady) and J. Antonio (Walter) ready themselves.
J. Antonio (Walter) performs with Bettina (Landlady), D.P. Joe Cremer, Writer/Director Grace Soriano and Sound Mixer Herb Cremer.
J. Antonio (Walter) performs with Bettina (Landlady), D.P. Joe Cremer, Writer/Director Grace Soriano and Sound Mixer Herb Cremer.
J. Antonio (Walter) and Bettina Skye (Landlady) perform with Sound Mixer Herb Cremer, Writer/Director Grace Soriano and D.P. Joe Cremer.
D.P. Joe Cremer and Sound Mixer Herb Cremer set up a shot of J. Antonio (Walter) and Bettina Skye (Landlady).
Bettina Skye (Landlady) waits for "Action".
J. Antonio (Walter) and Bettina Skye (Landlady) pose with Writer/Director Grace Soriano while D.P. Joe Cremer sets up the next shot.
D.P. Joe Cremer watches playback of J. Antonio (Walter).
D.P. Joe Cremer sets up a shot of J. Antonio (Walter).
J. Antonio (Walter) and Bettina Skye (Landlady) rehearse while Sound Mixer Herb Cremer, Writer/Director Grace Soriano and D.P. Joe Cremer set up for their next shot.
J. Antonio (Walter) and Bettina Skye (Landlady) perform with Sound Mixer Herb Cremer, Writer/Director Grace Soriano and D.P. Joe Cremer.
J. Antonio (Walter) and Bettina Skye (Landlady) get ready for their next take with Sound Mixer Herb Cremer, Writer/Director Grace Soriano and D.P. Joe
J. Antonio (Walter) and Bettina Skye (Landlady) perform with Writer/Director Grace Soriano and D.P. Joe Cremer.
J. Antonio (Walter) and Bettina Skye (Landlady) perform with Writer/Director Grace Soriano and D.P. Joe Cremer.
J. Antonio (Walter) and Bettina Skye (Landlady) perform with Writer/Director Grace Soriano and D.P. Joe Cremer.
J. Antonio (Walter) and Bettina Skye (Landlady) perform with Writer/Director Grace Soriano and D.P. Joe Cremer.
J. Antonio (Walter) and Bettina Skye (Landlady) perform with Writer/Director Grace Soriano and D.P. Joe Cremer.
J. Antonio (Walter) and Bettina Skye (Landlady) perform with Writer/Director Grace Soriano and D.P. Joe Cremer.
J. Antonio is ready for his close up (or his glass of water's close up) with Writer/Director Grace Soriano and D.P. Joe Cremer.
J. Antonio is ready for his close up (or his glass of water's close up) with Writer/Director Grace Soriano and D.P. Joe Cremer.
J Antonio (Walter) performs while D.P. Joe Cremer and Writer/Director watch on.
Nom Nom Nom.
Writer/Director Grace Soriano accepting her audience award for college filmmakers at the August 2018 Brightside Tavern Shorts Fest.
Writer/Director Grace Soriano accepting her audience award for college filmmakers at the August 2018 Brightside Tavern Shorts Fest.
On the red carpet at the August 2018 Brightside Tavern Shorts Fest with (from left to right) J. Antonio (Walter), Bettina Skye (Landlady), Joe Cremer (Producer), Grace Soriano (writer/director), and Herb Cremer (Producer).
On the red carpet at the August 2018 Brightside Tavern Shorts Fest with (from left to right) J. Antonio (Walter), Bettina Skye (Landlady), Joe Cremer (Producer), Grace Soriano (writer/director), and Herb Cremer (Producer).
Discussing the future at the August 2018 Brightside Tavern Shorts Fest with (from left to right) Grace Soriano (writer/director), Joe Cremer (Producer), Herb Cremer (Producer), and Bettina Skye (Landlady).
Group photo at the August 2018 Brightside Tavern Shorts Fest with Bettina Skye (Landlady), J. Antonio (Walter), Grace Soriano (Writer/Director), Joe Cremer (Producer), and Herb Cremer (Producer).
The audience award for college filmmakers won by 'A Tall Drink of Walter' at the August 2018 Brightside Tavern Shorts Fest.
From the left: J. Antonio (Walter), Joe Cremer (producer), Grace Soriano (writer/directer), Herb Cremer (producer), and Bettina Skye (The Landlady) at the 15th Annual Passaic County Film Festival 2019.
The Audience Award for the August 2018 Brightside Tavern Film Festival accompanied by the second place Costello Award from the 2019 Passaic County Film Festival.
Writer/Director, Grace Soriano, accepting her second place trophy at the 2019 Passaic County Film Festival.
Joe Cremer photo-bombing the winners with Grace Soriano's awards at the 2019 Passaic County Film Festival.
(from left to right) Bettina Skye (Landlady), J. Antonio (Walter), Grace Soriano (Writer/Director), Joe Cremer (Producer), and Herb Cremer (Producer) on the red carpet at the 2019 Passaic County Film Festival.
(from left to right) Bettina Skye (Landlady), J. Antonio (Walter), Grace Soriano (Writer/Director), Joe Cremer (Producer), and Herb Cremer (Producer) on the red carpet at the 2019 Passaic County Film Festival.
(from left to right) Bettina Skye (Landlady), J. Antonio (Walter), Joe Cremer (Producer) , Grace Soriano (Writer/Director), and Herb Cremer (Producer) on the red carpet at the 2019 Passaic County Film Festival.
The second place award for the 2019 William Paterson University Film Festival.
Bettina Skye (Landlady) with her Best Actress award at the 2019 Hang Onto Your Shorts Film Festival.
Bettina Skye (Landlady) with her Best Actress award at the 2019 Hang Onto Your Shorts Film Festival.
Bettina Skye (Landlady) and writer/director, Grace Soriano pose with their awards for Best Actress in a College Film and Best Comedy (College Film) at the 2019 Hang Onto Your Shorts Film Festival.
Festival director, CJ Cullen, poses with Bettina Skye (Landlady) and writer/director, Grace Soriano after receiving their awards for Best Actress in a College Film and Best Comedy (College Film) at the 2019 Hang Onto Your Shorts Film Festival.
The award for Best Comedy from the 2019 Hang Onto Your Shorts Film Festival.
(from left to right) Herb Cremer (Producer), Grace Soriano (Writer/Director), Joe Cremer (Producer), and Bettina Skye (Landlady) on the red carpet at the 2019 Hang Onto Your Shorts Film Festival.
(from left to right) Lori Anne Sword, Diann Gogerty, Theresa Labrelgio, Melissa Malone, Joe Cremer, Grace Soriano, and Herb Cremer on the red carpet at the 2019 Hang Onto Your Shorts Film Festival, representing "The Angry Man", "Play Date", "Forgotten" and "A Tall Drink of Walter".
An award given to Grace Soriano (Director) for her achievements in filmmaking in 2019.
The Cremer Brothers with Grace Soriano at the 2019 Hoboken International Film Festival, where "A Tall Drink of Walter" and "Forgotten" screened.
The Cremer Brothers with Grace Soriano at the 2019 Hoboken International Film Festival, where "A Tall Drink of Walter" and "Forgotten" screened.
The lineup for the 2019 First Contact Film Festival.
The nominations for the 2019 First Contact Film Festival. Bettina Skye (landlady) was nominated for Best Actress.
(from left to right) Grace Soriano, Joe Cremer and Herb Cremer during the Q&A at the 2019 First Contact Film Festival, where "Forgotten" and "A Tall Drink of Walter" screened.
(from left to right) Grace Soriano, Joe Cremer and Herb Cremer during the Q&A at the 2019 First Contact Film Festival, where "Forgotten" and "A Tall Drink of Walter" screened.
(from left to right) Grace Soriano, Joe Cremer and Herb Cremer during the Q&A at the 2019 First Contact Film Festival, where "Forgotten" and "A Tall Drink of Walter" screened.
(from left to right) Grace Soriano, Joe Cremer and Herb Cremer during the Q&A at the 2019 First Contact Film Festival, where "Forgotten" and "A Tall Drink of Walter" screened.
Bettina Skye (landlady) with the filmmakers at the 2019 First Contact Film Festival.
Bettina Skye (landlady) with the filmmakers at the 2019 First Contact Film Festival.
The lineup for the 2019 Northeast Film Festival.
A collage of posters for the lineup at the 2019 Northeast Film Festival.
The ad for the block of films at the 2019 Northeast Film Festival.
The poster in the lobby for the 2019 Northeast Film Festival.
Herb Cremer during the Q&A at the 2019 Northeast Film Festival
Grace Soriano and Joe Cremer during the Q&A at the 2019 Northeast Film Festival.
Facts
Filmed entirely in one day on April 20, 2018.
A Tall Drink of Walter was Writer/Director Grace Soriano's final for film class.
Marks the second time Grace Soriano and the Cremer Brothers have worked with Bettina Skye. The first being God's Law.
Marks the third time Grace Soriano and the Cremer Brothers have worked together (Keep It in the Dark; God's Law).
Filming took place at the home of sound engineer, Nathan Bedford in Hewitt, New Jersey.
Writer/Director, Grace Soriano, was given the Maltese Award from the communication department of her school, William Paterson University, due to the film's success outside of the university.