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"THE 17th MAN" WINS FIRST ACTION/CUT SHORT FILM COMPETITION

Director Yimeng Jin's "THE 17th MAN" won the Action/Cut Short Film Grand Prize Award at the first Action/Cut Short Film Competition held in Los Angeles which is now an annual worldwide contest event.
The film is a dark-tale thriller about a best-selling author haunted by his fictitious femme fatale when she comes to life after he tries to put an end to her in his final book "The 17th Man”…a psychological mind-game of deception ensues and only one can survive! It was produced at the Florida State University Graduate Film Conservatory.
Yimeng Jin: I always enjoy inhabiting the fictional world I am creating, controlling my characters and their lives. Then one day, I asked myself “What if my characters are just playing games with me? What if they have their own lives and can see me and touch me? What if they can actually control me if they want to?” It scared me…so I wanted to make a movie about this subject, and make an audience experience what I had felt and what they would have never imagined.

As a director. I strive to tell a strong story by bringing to life a focused vision which then inspires me to use stylish shot designs to enhance the storytelling as well as give a unique look to the film. As I wrote THE 17th MAN, I already had seen the shots, one by one. For me, once a script is done, the storyboard in my head is done as well. With each project, I am impassioned by choosing the shots that are beautiful, but also interesting, and which move the story along.
Making THE 17th MAN was a great experience for me. Two months of pre-production, nine days of shooting, and two months of post-production. All of the members of my crew were students at FSU. They gave their all to make a professional looking film. All of the cast members were based near the location of the shoot in Tallahassee, Florida. I am happy about everything I got, and how the film turned out, but I also think everything could be better -I am a hard director to please. That’s what keeps me going!

Of the many film festivals I attended, The Action /Cut Film Competition is by far the best and most exciting. It was a catalyst to launching my film career. As part of my Grand Prize Awards, I met with several industry professionals to discuss their film expertise and who offered me priceless career guidance. The over 30 prizes, besides the cash award from Action/Cut - such as equipment rental, software, distributor contacts, and magazine stories about my films - are all ideal tools for a new filmmaker and moving their career forward. Also, after winning the award, I received investor support and now I'm making my first feature. Thank you Action/Cut...you made my dream real.

Call For Entries for 2005 Action/Cut Short Film Competition begins on January 15 to the final deadline of May 15 in three competitive categories: Fiction - Documentary - Animation. This unique, industry-based competition will showcase filmmakers from across the world, recognize the most talented with over 100 multiple Career Access Meetings and Cash and Sponsor Awards valued at over $35,000, and honor their work by bringing them to the attention of the Hollywood film industry.
To see "The 17th MAN" and other winners online, visit www.actioncut.com/CompetitionResults.html