"Wanderer" - Feature Film (2024)

Standing as the largest project during my time as a filmmaker, "Wanderer" taught me the most about collaboration, resourcefulness, cinematography, preparation and marketing.

Over the course of many months of planning and preparation, Amanda Ellis (my wife) and I were able to generate $6,000 from a Kickstarter campaign for our budget.

Filming began July 1st and ended August 5th (with an additional pick-up scene shot February 2024.) The entire project was filmed in 10 days and edited between August 2023 and March 2024.

The film began as a passion project but was also used as a Senior Capstone project for my graduation at Brigham Young University Idaho. "Wanderer" will be used for various film festivals and hopefully make its way to streaming services in the following months.

PREMISE
Walter Hughes, an overworked and stressed accountant struggles to balance his work and home life effectively. His wife misses him being present, his boss demands his time and attention, and Walter is sleep deprived and exhausted. While on a weekend getaway, Walter wanders away from camp and becomes lost in the forest. His journey begins as he struggles to survive - hoping to be found.

A story about priorities, communication, and family, "Wanderer" is about focusing on what is most important when tension and stress are high.

Feature Film directed, produced & edited by David Ellis. Co-produced by Amanda Ellis. Story written by Evan Rosencrantz. Music composed by Josh Hendrickson