Moving up from P.A., assistant or lower-rung pleeb is a long tradition in Hollywood. Say what you will about the industry (and we surely have), but those with ambition and talent generally rise above their station because almost everyone is willing to hear a good idea (especially in a place that's bereft of creative ideas; new concepts always have currency).
Case in point with Benjamin Grayson. He's the former assistant of five-time Oscar nominee Kenneth Branagh-turned-filmmaker and he's directed his sophomore short film that includes a bevy of well-known stars. The short features Branagh and it's called, "Prodigal," a sci-fi thriller that revolves around a father trying to free his supernaturally gifted daughter from the clutches of a private firm and the paranormal branch of the Government. Above is a first look image of Branagh and Grayson on set.
Industry screenings take place in L.A. this weekend and the short also stars Jennifer Morrison ("Warrior," "Once Upon A Time"), Travis Crim, Winter Ave Zoli ("Sons of Anarchy"), Taylor Kinney ("Vampire Diaries") and Jade Pettyjohn ("American Girl," "The Cape").
Written by Travis Crim and Grayson, "Prodigal" was produced alongside Trenton Waterson, and Shorts International is negotiating international and online distribution. Hopefully this is something we'll all be seeing soon and either way it sounds like something worth paying attention to. After all, industry buzz can grow from a murmur to a white hot heat in seconds flat, if something catches on.
