Collin Schiffli

Last updated
Collin Schiffli
Born
Collin Graham Schiffli

Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States
Alma mater Columbia College Chicago
Occupation(s) Film director, producer, film editor
Years active2008–present
Website schifflifilms.com

Collin Graham Schiffli is an American film director, producer and editor. He has directed the independent films Animals , All Creatures Here Below and Die in a Gunfight .

Contents

Early life

Schiffli was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is the middle of three sons; his older brother, Brandon, is a screenwriter and script supervisor. Schiffli attended Carroll High School (Fort Wayne, Indiana) and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Film from Columbia College Chicago in 2009. Soon after, Schiffli moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film. [1] [2]

Career

Schiffli began his career writing and directing the short film Johnny Appleseed, Johnny Appleseed (2008). His next two shorts, Head Case (2009) and Band (2010), starred his good friend and frequent collaborator, actor David Dastmalchian. [3] Schiffli directed two more short films, Shortcake (2012) and Elias the Ant (2013).

Schiffli made his feature directorial debut with Animals (2014). The film was written and produced by David Dastmalchian and stars him and Kim Shaw as two heroin addicts in Chicago. [4] Animals won the Special Jury Award for Courage in Filmmaking at the SXSW Film Festival, [5] and received positive reviews from critics following its release in theaters and on video on demand platforms; A. O. Scott of The New York Times stated that Schiffli "shoots in a fluid style, tweaking colors and focus to register changes in perception and feeling". [6] Steve Dollar of The Wall Street Journal praised the director for keeping "a tight focus on character, as the couple's plight becomes increasingly dire". [7]

Schiffli's next feature, All Creatures Here Below (2018), is about a runaway couple (Dastmalchian and Karen Gillan) heading towards their hometown of Kansas City. [8] After its world premiere at the Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles, [9] the film was released theatrically by Samuel Goldwyn Films in the spring of 2019, [10] and garnered a positive reception; Dennis Harvey of Variety opined that "Schiffli directs with a nice balance between momentum and naturalism", [11] while Katie Walsh of the Los Angeles Times appreciated the director's "beautiful and unobtrusive style". [12]

Schiffli's latest film, Die in a Gunfight (2021), starring Alexandra Daddario, Diego Boneta, Justin Chatwin and Travis Fimmel, is described as an updated version of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet . [13] Released in the summer by Lionsgate, [14] the film received mostly negative from critics; Christy Lemire of RogerEbert.com gave the film 0.5 out of 4 stars and stated, "Schiffli's snarky and snide self-aware tone quickly grows wearisome, and his action sequences have a cheapness about them that's distancing". [15] In contrast, Mark Hughes of Forbes gave the film a positive review and stated, "[A] sleek, subversive, lushly fun action-crime thriller. One of the better films inspired by Romeo and Juliet, its a welcome addition to the director's résumé and deserves to find an audience". [16]

Filmography

As director

YearTitleNotes
2008Johnny Appleseed, Johnny AppleseedShort film
2009Head CaseShort film
2010BandShort film
2012ShortcakeShort film
2013Elias the AntShort film
2014 Animals Feature directorial debut
2018 All Creatures Here Below
2021 Die in a Gunfight

As producer

YearTitleNotes
2012ShortcakeShort film
Oscar's EscapeShort film
2013This Thing with Sarahassociate producer
To Hell with a Bulletco-producer
2014 Animals
Following the Golden Arrowdocumentary; executive producer
2015Play Faire

As editor

YearTitleNotes
2010BandShort film
2011Alice Wants DessertShort film
2012ShortcakeShort film
2013Premature the Showvideo
Elias the AntShort film
2014Following the Golden Arrowdocumentary

As screenwriter

YearTitleNotes
2008Johnny Appleseed, Johnny AppleseedShort film
2009Head CaseShort film

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, work(s) nominated, category, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremonyYearWork(s)CategoryResultRef.
Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles 2018 All Creatures Here Below Best FilmWon [17]
Flagler Film Festival2016 Animals Best FeatureWon [18]
Best DirectorWon
Midwest Independent Film Festival2014 Animals Best FeatureWon [19]
Best DirectorWon
South By Southwest 2014 Animals Narrative FeatureNominated [20]
Virginia Film Festival 2014 Animals Narrative FeatureWon [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Appleseed</span> American pioneer nurseryman (1774–1845)

Johnny Appleseed was an American pioneer nurseryman who introduced apple trees to large parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Ontario, as well as the northern counties of West Virginia. He became an American legend while still alive, due to his kind, generous ways, his leadership in conservation, and the symbolic importance that he attributed to apples. He was also a missionary for The New Church (Swedenborgian) and the inspiration for many museums and historical sites such as the Johnny Appleseed Museum in Urbana, Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Chatwin</span> Canadian actor

Justin Chatwin is a Canadian actor. He began his career in 2001 with a brief appearance in the musical comedy Josie and the Pussycats. Following his breakthrough role as Robbie Ferrier in the blockbuster War of the Worlds (2005), Chatwin headlined studio films such as The Invisible (2007) and Dragonball Evolution (2009), an action-adventure feature based on the manga series Dragon Ball. In the 2010s, Chatwin acted in small independent films. He starred as rock star idol Bobby Shore in the sci-fi musical Bang Bang Baby (2014), which earned him a Canadian Screen Awards nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and appeared in the romantic comedy Unleashed (2016), and drama Summer Night (2019).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexandra Daddario</span> American actress (born 1986)

Alexandra Anna Daddario is an American actress. She had her breakthrough portraying Annabeth Chase in the Percy Jackson film series (2010–2013). She has since starred as Paige in Hall Pass (2011), Heather Miller in Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013), Blake Gaines in San Andreas (2015), Summer Quinn in Baywatch (2017), and Alexis Butler in We Summon the Darkness (2019).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Glass</span> American photographer

Matt Glass is an American composer and Emmy-winning filmmaker known for his work on 12 Hour Shift, The Party's Just Beginning and 2022's Ghosts of the Ozarks. He received his Masters of Fine Art degree from the Cranbrook Academy Of Art.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karen Gillan</span> Scottish actress (born 1987)

Karen Sheila Gillan is a Scottish actress and filmmaker. She gained recognition for her work in British film and television, particularly for playing Amy Pond, a primary companion to the Eleventh Doctor in the science fiction series Doctor Who (2010–2013), for which she received several awards and nominations. Her early film roles include Ally in the thriller film Outcast (2010) and Jane Lockhart in the romantic comedy film Not Another Happy Ending (2013). She also worked on the stage while in Britain, appearing in John Osborne's play Inadmissible Evidence (2011).

"The Beast Below" is the second episode of the fifth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was written by executive producer and head writer Steven Moffat and broadcast on BBC One and BBC HD on 10 April 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Dastmalchian</span> American actor (born 1975)

David Dastmalchian is an American actor, writer, and producer. He has had supporting roles in a number of superhero franchises: he portrayed Thomas Schiff in The Dark Knight (2008), Kurt and Veb in the Ant-Man franchise, Abra Kadabra in the CW's The Flash, and Polka-Dot Man in The Suicide Squad (2021).

<i>Oculus</i> (film) 2013 American film directed by Mike Flanagan

Oculus is a 2013 American supernatural psychological horror film co-written, edited, and directed by Mike Flanagan. It is based on his short film Oculus: Chapter 3 – The Man with the Plan, and stars Karen Gillan and Brenton Thwaites as two young adult siblings who are convinced that an antique mirror is responsible for the death and misfortune that their family had suffered.

Beulah Koale is a New Zealand actor best known for portraying Officer Junior Reigns in CBS reboot series Hawaii Five-0.

Zoë Carroll Chao is an American television and stage actress and screenwriter, principally known for her roles as Isobel in Strangers and Zoë in The Afterparty.

<i>A Million Little Pieces</i> (film) 2018 film directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson

A Million Little Pieces is a 2018 psychological drama film directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, and written by Sam and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Based on the 2003 semi-fictional book of the same name by James Frey, it follows Frey, a drug-addicted young man, who checks himself into a rehabilitation center to battle his addiction. Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars as Frey, and co-stars Billy Bob Thornton, Odessa Young, Giovanni Ribisi, Juliette Lewis, and Charlie Hunnam.

<i>The Partys Just Beginning</i> 2018 film by Karen Gillan

The Party's Just Beginning is a 2018 comedy-drama film written and directed by Karen Gillan, in her feature film directorial debut. It stars Gillan, Lee Pace, Matthew Beard, Paul Higgins and Siobhan Redmond.

<i>All Creatures Here Below</i> 2018 American film

All Creatures Here Below is a 2018 American drama film directed by Collin Schiffli and written by David Dastmalchian. The film is produced by Nacho Arenas, Amy Greene, and Chris Stinson under the banner of Planeo Films. The film stars Dastmalchian, Karen Gillan, David Koechner, John Doe, and Jennifer Morrison. The film premiered at the Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival on October 18, 2018, and was theatrically released by Samuel Goldwyn Films on May 17, 2019, in the United States.

<i>Animals</i> (2014 film) 2014 American film

Animals is a 2014 American romantic drama film written by David Dastmalchian and directed by Collin Schiffli. The film stars Dastmalchian and Kim Shaw as a couple living in a broken car who scam strangers to support their heroin addiction. When their misadventures turn from bad to worse, the young lovers must decide if true love can prevail in the face of all else.

<i>Die in a Gunfight</i> 2021 American film

Die in a Gunfight is a 2021 American romantic crime thriller film directed by Collin Schiffli and written by Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari. It stars Alexandra Daddario and Diego Boneta. It is described as an updated version of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

<i>Dual</i> (2022 film) 2022 American film by Riley Stearns

Dual is a 2022 American satirical science fiction thriller film written, directed, and produced by Riley Stearns. It stars Karen Gillan, Beulah Koale, Theo James, and Aaron Paul. The plot follows a woman who has to fight a clone of herself to the death after she unexpectedly recovers from a terminal illness. The film premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2022. It was released in the United States on April 15, 2022, by RLJE Films.

Jordan Wayne Long is a filmmaker, performance artist, and co-creator of the production company HCT.Media.

The Life of Chuck is an upcoming American drama film written and directed by Mike Flanagan. It is an adaptation of the Stephen King novella published in the 2020 collection If It Bleeds. Tom Hiddleston plays Charles "Chuck" Krantz, and co-stars Mark Hamill, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, and Jacob Tremblay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival</span> Film festival established in 2008

The Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival (DTLAFF) is an annual film festival based in Downtown Los Angeles.

References

  1. Hackett, Kara (January 23, 2019). "From Fort Wayne to Hollywood: Meet 4 talented residents (or ex-residents) in the film industry". Input Fort Wayne. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. Rickinson, Steve (March 2, 2014). "2014 SXSW Filmmaker Profile: Collin Schiffli (Director – 'Animals')". IndieNYC.com. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  3. Hughes, Mark (July 16, 2021). "Interview: 'Die In A Gunfight' Collin Schiffli Talks Violence, Love, And 1990s Cinema". Forbes. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  4. Metz, Nina (May 8, 2014). "Actor, screenwriter David Dastmalchian on his new film 'Animals'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  5. "ANIMALS Opens Nationwide". Screen Magazine. May 15, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  6. Scott, A.O. (May 14, 2015). "Review: In 'Animals,' a Couple in Love With Heroin". The New York Times. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  7. Dollar, Steve (May 13, 2015). "Argentina's New Wave, Plus Cinematic Selfies". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  8. Hipes, Patrick (May 9, 2016). "David Dastmalchian To Star In 'All Creatures Here Below'". Deadline. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  9. Ramos, Dino-Ray (October 10, 2018). "'All Creatures Here Below' Trailer: Karen Gillan & David Dastmalchian Are On The Run In Indie Drama". Deadline. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  10. D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 13, 2019). "Karen Gillan & David Dastmalchian Thriller 'All Creatures Here Below' Snapped Up By Samuel Goldwyn". Deadline. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  11. Harvey, Dennis (May 16, 2019). "Film Review: 'All Creatures Here Below'". Variety. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  12. Walsh, Katie (May 16, 2019). "Review: Karen Gillan takes a stark turn in dark indie 'All Creatures Here Below'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  13. Lang, Brent (September 6, 2019). "Toronto: Alexandra Daddario, Diego Boneta Starring in 'Die In A Gunfight' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  14. Lane, Carly (June 14, 2021). "Exclusive: 'Die in a Gunfight' Trailer Reveals a Star-Crossed and Stylized Love Story Starring Alexandra Daddario and Diego Boneta". Collider. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  15. Lemire, Christy (July 16, 2021). "Die in a Gunfight". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  16. Hughes, Mark (July 15, 2021). "Review: 'Die In A Gunfight' Offers Hip Action Spectacle And Emotional Surprises". Forbes. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  17. "10th Annual DTLA Film Festival Announces 2018 Filmmaker Awards". DTLA Film Festival. 22 October 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  18. Ney, Sareth (January 18, 2016). "3rd Annual Flagler Film Festival takes place at Hilton Garden Inn". A Quarter and a Dream Pictures. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  19. L Ratny, Ruth (December 4, 2014). "MIFF displays indie "Bests" at annual awards night". Reel Chicago. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  20. Nadler, Becca (April 7, 2015). "Watch: Collin Schiffli Shows the Pain of Addiction in Trailer for 'Animals'". IndieWire. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  21. "2014 VFF In Photos". Issuu.com. 13 April 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2021.