Movies

They shot their movie in 7 days for $7,000. They’re bringing it to theaters themselves

BBG News

When filmmaker Joe Burke discusses his low-budget independent film “Burt,” he repeatedly uses the term “magic.” This magic may stem from his past as a teenage magician who performed at Outback Steakhouse in his hometown, Toledo, Ohio.

Burke, aged 41, shared that he aims to both amuse and move others through his acts. He confessed that he’s passionate about providing entertainment, and if he’s not engaging in it, he feels unsatisfied.

Burt,” his second film, was filmed in just seven days on a budget of $7,000. However, the idea for this project had been developing for seven years before production began. Made with longtime friend and collaborator Oliver Cooper, the movie emerged from a combination of heartfelt passion and DIY ingenuity. They enjoy working this way.

Burke describes their low-budget approach as incredibly vibrant,” he explains, “it’s like capturing the thrill of diving into the action and discovering those enchanting instances. These moments transport them back to their roots, when they used to make movies in their own backyard.

The movie titled “Burt” will make its debut in Los Angeles at the Fine Arts Theatre, located in Beverly Hills, on Saturday. Currently, this is the only scheduled screening for the film as it doesn’t have distribution yet. However, Burke and Cooper are aware that they must pave the way for its success.

Burke is lively and talkative, sharing the tale of “Burt” with great enthusiasm while sipping coffee in West Hollywood. In contrast, Cooper, aged 35, takes a more relaxed approach, yet their camaraderie is evident due to their long-standing friendship and creative ties. Their bond deepened when Cooper’s mother hired Burke to direct a video for her son’s bar mitzvah. Later on, Burke went to the American Film Institute, while Cooper, chasing his acting ambitions, relocated to Los Angeles at 19 and secured a role in the movie “Project X during his very first audition. Since then, he has acted in the Amazon Prime Video series “Red Oaks” and portrayed David Berkowitz in David Fincher’s “Mindhunter.

Even though Burke and Cooper are each following their individual career journeys, they continue to be each other’s preferred collaborators. In 2011, they teamed up for their first feature film titled “Four Dogs,” directed by Burke and featuring Cooper as Oliver, a directionless aspiring actor who resides with his aunt and spends his days with an old acting class friend (Dan Bakkedahl, later known from “Veep”). True to form as resourceful independent filmmakers, they drew inspiration from real life when they cast Cooper’s aunt, Rebecca Goldstein, who was new to acting, as Oliver’s aunt. They also filmed the movie in Goldstein’s Encino home, where Cooper, a struggling young actor himself at that time, was residing.

As a cinephile, I find myself captivated by the fact that both Burke and Cooper draw inspiration from genuine individuals – their lives, their struggles, their abodes. Their cinematic endeavors strive to encapsulate this raw authenticity on screen.

Cooper expresses his fondness for characters, stating, “I have a special affection for those characters who are often overlooked, living on society’s periphery.

As a passionate movie lover, I firmly believe that my fascination for the characters portrayed, frequently played by amateur actors, resonates with the audience. I’m convinced that if these individuals grace our screens, they will undoubtedly captivate and entertain viewers.

For over a decade following “Four Dogs,” Burke found himself eager to embark on his second cinematic venture. During this time, he supplemented his income by instructing at the New York Film Academy’s Burbank campus and creating Instagram sketches and brief films alongside Cooper.

One individual stood out to Burke, and that was Burt Berger, a musician from the late ’60s era who played guitar among patrons at The Old Place restaurant in Malibu. Burke frequented this spot for brunch, finding himself captivated by Berger’s homespun melodies and charming, eccentric demeanor. Interestingly enough, Cooper had encountered Berger independently at an open mic event held at the Cahuenga General Store.

It eventually became clear that Berger was an authentic Los Angeles personality they had encountered, and they were keen to have him feature in a project. During the production of a short film in 2016, the team recalled Berger and decided to give him a minor role. The following day, they paid a visit to The Old Place and inquired about his acting background (limited to a few commercial auditions). Impressed by his potential, they cast him. He excelled, and they even integrated one of his songs, “Improvin’ On,” into the film’s conclusion (he also performs this song in “Burt”).

Burke and Berger often kept in close contact, frequently spending extended periods of time together, discussing Berger’s personal life, family, shared dreams of Hollywood success, and brainstorming ideas for a movie that would showcase Berger’s sincere heart and ambitious aspirations. “I aimed to capture Burt’s core – his soul, spirit, and music,” Burke explains. “That was extremely significant to me.

When Burke brought up the idea of a whole film about him, Berger says he was stunned.

Berger, aged 71, shares over the phone that his eyes welled up slightly,” he said, “as he realized that his long-held dreams were gradually coming true, after decades of tireless pursuit.

1977 saw Berger hit the road in a van with his closest companion, bound for Los Angeles in pursuit of musical fame. “Foolishly optimistic about making it big and obstinately determined not to quit,” he confessed.

Berger found it rewarding when Joe acknowledged him. At first, he was taken aback, thinking “How could Joe see that in me?”, but then he decided to have faith in him, recognizing that Joe is knowledgeable and insightful.

As I labored to bring other movie ventures to life, I persisted in my collaboration with Cooper and Berger on a project we eventually titled “Burt.” This film is based on the fictional tale of Sammy (Cooper), who journeys to L.A., eager to reconnect with his long-lost father, Burt (Berger). However, it swiftly becomes apparent that Sammy’s motives are not entirely pure, as Burt reveals he has a secret stash of inheritance money.

The missing piece in the “Burt” mystery was Steve Levy, who shared a home with Berger for over ten years. Their intention was to film at their house, specifically Levy’s childhood residence in Sun Valley. A trial run of the filming showed that Levy and Berger had an exceptional on-screen chemistry. Levy’s unique performance style, infused with sharp skepticism and a biting wit, perfectly complemented Burt’s sweetly trusting character.

As I scrounged up a minuscule budget using my own savings, with the assistance of family, and by securing Levy’s cooperation, Burke assured me that we could complete the film within a week. I enlisted Daniel Kenji Levin, my college buddy, as our cinematographer and tapped into our circle of friends to fill secondary roles. Cooper’s acting coach Catlin Adams, an alum of the Actors Studio, joined us as well, portraying Sylvia, Sammy’s cunning aunt.

Apart from the financial challenges of independent filmmaking, Burke’s sense of urgency to start the project was also influenced by Berger’s health condition – Parkinson’s disease. They had been friends for years when Berger was diagnosed, and Burke would often notice his friend’s tremors during their get-togethers. Since Burke’s own father also has Parkinson’s, the disease held personal significance for him. During the filming, he was not only directing a father-son story but also experiencing a similar situation in his own life.

The movie titled ‘Burt’ carries an honest and unadorned tone, infused with subtle humor and unexpected turns that remind us of indie films from the early 90s in its understated elegance. The protagonist, Burt, happens to live with Parkinson’s disease, yet this aspect of his life is merely a part of his everyday existence, not the main focus of the film.

Over the past two years since his shooting incident, Berger has returned to the East Coast to reside with family due to his worsening health condition. Aware of this, Burke felt it was crucial to record his star during an optimal time, when he could still perform and pursue his aspirations. “My guitar playing skills aren’t what they used to be,” shares Berger, “but I refuse to give up on my dreams.” (“Burt and I share a similar trait in that regard,” says Burke. “We never abandon our dreams.”)

Making a movie like “Burt” is no easy feat, and it’s a whole different story to get that homemade film into the hands of viewers. In 2024, Burke faced rejections in 28 film festivals with “Burt,” causing him to wonder if this project might mark the end of his career rather than a promising start. He even contemplated his mother’s offer to return to Ohio.

However, a boost of confidence and a significant endorsement came from one of Cooper’s mentors, filmmaker David Gordon Green. They shared their project with him, and within hours, even in the middle of the night, he expressed his admiration for the movie. When they asked him to take on the role as executive producer via email, he simply replied “Duh.” (Green will also be leading a Q&A session with the filmmakers during the Saturday screening.)

This year, the movie has experienced a shift in luck on the film festival scene, collecting jury prizes at Cinequest, the Phoenix Film Festival, and the Florida Film Festival.

According to Cooper, creating something exceptional doesn’t require a lot of resources; it’s more about having a compelling narrative and well-developed characters. Even though our DIY project hasn’t resulted in a big deal yet, it has moved people, demonstrating that those elements are truly essential.

Following our triumph at Cinequest, my partner and I recognized that this film is best experienced in a theater setting – sharing laughter and tears together. Inspired by Sean Baker’s fervent awards-season speeches about cinema’s power in theaters, we decided to take control of our distribution journey. We are planning self-distribution, arranging screenings in Los Angeles, Toledo, Cincinnati, and aiming for Denver and New York. Instead of relying on others, we will be renting theaters and selling tickets ourselves.

In a struggling industry, can there be space for a tender, nostalgic movie centered around an iconic Los Angeles figure such as Burt? Absolutely, it should exist for those with dreams and faith in the City of Angels.

Burke admits, “I can’t explain why I felt so urgently driven to ensure that man received help before it was too late. Somehow, fate or destiny seems to have placed me in his path, and now I wonder if it was because of the movie.

Cooper remarks, “I feel my artist’s heart swelling with pride, knowing we’ve made a positive impact on him.

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2025-04-30 21:01

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