By Rick Klaw
(Apr/May 2007) "The independent business is really about trying to find people with great talent who are ready to make a movie and giving them the opportunity to expand themselves. [The fact that] they do it for less doesn't mean they have less talent. It means that you are an opportunity for them and they are an opportunity for you. That's how independent films get made." -Carolyn Pfeiffer, CEO Burnt Orange Productions Burnt Orange Productions offers a unique manifestation of the modern production studio. Founded in 2003 in conjunction with University of Texas Film Institute (UTFI) as a non-profit program developed to train students in narrative and digital filmmaking, BOP produces movies in collaboration with the University. For each project, BOP utilizes its entitlement to hire a certain number of non-union workers by hiring students paid by the University of Texas. The work on the movie represents their course load for the semester, and they receive academic credit and learn a variety of real-world skills in several departments including editing, wardrobe, camera and art. These apprentices, in turn, supervise the interns, students who are currently enrolled in classes and who only work on the production a few hours or days a week such that forty to fifty students work on any given project. The brainchild of Johnnie Ray, who at the time was vice president of Resource Development for the University of Texas, and Tom Schatz, executive director of UTFI, Burnt Orange functions independently of the university although it receives tremendous logistical support from the school administration. In 2003, Carolyn Pfeiffer left her position as vice chair, master filmmaker-in-residence and head of the Producing Discipline at the American Film Institute Conservatory in Los Angeles to join the fledgling production company. "Tom [Schatz] and I greenlight. We then go to our board of managers. Our board of managers has budget approval. The only other mandate is not to embarrass the University. They've been very broadminded, hugely supportive and fair minded. They very much want us to be a success," says Pfeiffer Beyond the involvement of students, Burnt Orange functions much like any other production company. Money must be raised from the private sector to finance the projects, and investors expect reimbursement plus interest. The big difference is the involvement of students in every phase of production, including reading, giving coverage and even attending weekly development meetings. Pfeiffer speaks with pride when discussing the program, and proudly relates the tale of a young student who started as production assistant on Elvis & Annabelle. After a few days, she was wrangling the extras. By the end of the project, she got a job as rigging gaffer on a different production company movie. Now the former student has joined the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), makes $46/hour and is training on the camera - all within one year. Says Pfeiffer, "[Students] bring an enthusiasm and passion to things. They are not jaded yet. Their eyes are wide. They've almost always made us really proud." In 2007, Burnt Orange plans to begin production on the first installment of a three-film action-horror package with a script from UT alum Lee Shipman. Also currently in development, Marfa Lights features a Terrence Mallick screenplay with Carlos Carrera attached to direct. After the initial success of Burnt Orange Productions, Pfeiffer keeps it all in perspective. "There is no such thing as easy. You really take it one day at a time in this business. You are always grateful for the good breaks." The Films of Burnt Orange Productions
The Quiet (2005; Dir. Jamie Babbit; starring Elisha Cuthbert, Camilla Belle, Edie Falco and Martin Donovan) played at the Toronto Film Festival and was recently released on DVD from Sony Classics. Babbit's acclaimed tale relates the story of a young deaf-mute (Belle) who is sent to live with her godparents (Falco and Donovan) and their daughter (Cuthbert). Her arrival highlights the troubles within this seemingly idyllic family. The Cassiday Kids (2006; Dir. Jacob Vaughan; starring Kadeem Hardison, Anne Ramsay and Judah Friedlander) relates the story of murder, memory and Saturday morning television as a group of friends who witnessed a murder reunite to film a documentary for the special DVD release of the Saturday morning show, which was based on the actual events.
Homo Erectus (2007; Dir. Adam Rifkin; starring Rifkin and Giuseppe Andrews) is the comedic story of philosophical caveman. Premiered at 2007 Slamdance to a warm reception. Elvis & Annabelle (2007; Dir. Will Geiger; starring Max Minghella and Blake Lively) premiered at 2007 SXSW. Says Pfeiffer, "We have very high expectations. It's a lovely, magical film. It's an offbeat love story between a young mortician and a Texas beauty queen." | 
