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Writer/Director
Producers Director of Photography Production Designer Editor Music Composed by Makeup and Special Effects Sound Design Additional Editing Visual Effects Colorist Assistant Director Script Supervisor Production Sound Mixer Boom Operator Assistant Camera Wardrobe Assistant Production Assistants Set Photographer |
Michael Goldburg
Michael Goldburg Dave Chan Peter Olsen Abigail Benavides Ryan Penny Michael Whalen Kate Susen Scott Koué Tom Behrens Dennis Fitzsimmons David Pultz Justin Ferrato Lisa Edwards Engin Kaplan James Gribbin David Power Ingrid Campos Danielle James Nadia Gomez Wei Li Liang |
Opening Song: "Green Al"
Performed and composed by Ben Allison Published by Sonic Camera, SESAC Ben Allison bass Steve Cardenas ~ guitar Shane Endsley ~ trumpet Jenny Scheinman ~ violin Rudy Royston ~ drums Courtesy of Palmetto Records SPECIAL THANKS David and Cara Power Evan Lam Darla Elsbernd Bittersweet Confections NYC Lily Liang Photography Fauna NYC Corfu Grill Meredith Goldburg David Goldburg Bobbye Goldburg Cyndi Conklin SAG-AFTRA |
WRITING
Writer/Director Michael Goldburg was busy directing and producing the bleakly funny web series, Tragic Relief, written by members of The Onion and Comedy Central, when he was inspired by the series to write his own darkly comic short. The idea for What’s Eating Dad? came very fast; satirizing the anxiety of meeting a loved one’s family for the first time and coming to terms with their shortcomings and “differences.” On another level, Michael also wanted to deal with the theme of denial and the absurd lengths some people will go to stay in denial. Originally conceived as another episode of the web series, What’s Eating Dad?, with its longer length, ultimately seemed better suited as a stand-alone short.
PRODUCTION
Michael chose several prior collaborators to make What’s Eating Dad? happen. Fellow NYU alum and award-winning director of photography, Peter Olsen, brought his narrative strengths to the photography of Michael’s previous celebrated short film, Happy Trails, as well as Michael’s award-winning NYU Graduate thesis film, Home on the Range. In this, their third collaboration, Michael and Peter were inspired by Rosemary’s Baby as well as the work of Woody Allen, playing with subjectivity in the film and telling the story mainly from Chloe’s, the protagonist’s, point of view, as she witnesses the unraveling horror and absurdity around her. For the lead role of Chloe, Michael chose Morgan Wright, who he directed in the award-winning Off-Broadway production of Happy? at The Players Theatre. Michael also wanted to work with the hilarious Barbara Miluski again, this also their third collaboration, and cast her in the key role of the future mother-in-law, Sandy. And in their first partnership, Michael teamed up with Dave Chan to co-produce the film. Dave, an award-winning and versatile writer-producer who also studied at NYU, is now producing a second short with Michael directing as well as Michael’s feature film directing debut, Sure-Fire.
POST PRODUCTION
Michael wanted to work with Emmy-winning composer Michael Whalen again after their fruitful collaboration on Michael’s award-winning short film, Happy Trails. After screening an early cut of What’s Eating Dad?, Michael Whalen knew the music needed to go in an offbeat direction – but still serve the story – and came upon the idea of using a tango theme to hilarious perfection. Michael also wanted to work with another frequent collaborator, Scott Koué, for sound design. Having also worked on Michael’s award-winning short, Happy Trails, Scott brought an enormous depth of talent and experience to the sound design, particularly the “horror” elements. In new collaborations, Ryan Penny, as editor, brought a sharp sense of rhythm and comedy to shape What’s Eating Dad?, his first narrative film, while Dennis Fitzsimmons, a veteran Visual FX Artist of many feature films, from Donnie Darko to The Aviator, elevated the existing makeup and special effects to another level.
Writer/Director Michael Goldburg was busy directing and producing the bleakly funny web series, Tragic Relief, written by members of The Onion and Comedy Central, when he was inspired by the series to write his own darkly comic short. The idea for What’s Eating Dad? came very fast; satirizing the anxiety of meeting a loved one’s family for the first time and coming to terms with their shortcomings and “differences.” On another level, Michael also wanted to deal with the theme of denial and the absurd lengths some people will go to stay in denial. Originally conceived as another episode of the web series, What’s Eating Dad?, with its longer length, ultimately seemed better suited as a stand-alone short.
PRODUCTION
Michael chose several prior collaborators to make What’s Eating Dad? happen. Fellow NYU alum and award-winning director of photography, Peter Olsen, brought his narrative strengths to the photography of Michael’s previous celebrated short film, Happy Trails, as well as Michael’s award-winning NYU Graduate thesis film, Home on the Range. In this, their third collaboration, Michael and Peter were inspired by Rosemary’s Baby as well as the work of Woody Allen, playing with subjectivity in the film and telling the story mainly from Chloe’s, the protagonist’s, point of view, as she witnesses the unraveling horror and absurdity around her. For the lead role of Chloe, Michael chose Morgan Wright, who he directed in the award-winning Off-Broadway production of Happy? at The Players Theatre. Michael also wanted to work with the hilarious Barbara Miluski again, this also their third collaboration, and cast her in the key role of the future mother-in-law, Sandy. And in their first partnership, Michael teamed up with Dave Chan to co-produce the film. Dave, an award-winning and versatile writer-producer who also studied at NYU, is now producing a second short with Michael directing as well as Michael’s feature film directing debut, Sure-Fire.
POST PRODUCTION
Michael wanted to work with Emmy-winning composer Michael Whalen again after their fruitful collaboration on Michael’s award-winning short film, Happy Trails. After screening an early cut of What’s Eating Dad?, Michael Whalen knew the music needed to go in an offbeat direction – but still serve the story – and came upon the idea of using a tango theme to hilarious perfection. Michael also wanted to work with another frequent collaborator, Scott Koué, for sound design. Having also worked on Michael’s award-winning short, Happy Trails, Scott brought an enormous depth of talent and experience to the sound design, particularly the “horror” elements. In new collaborations, Ryan Penny, as editor, brought a sharp sense of rhythm and comedy to shape What’s Eating Dad?, his first narrative film, while Dennis Fitzsimmons, a veteran Visual FX Artist of many feature films, from Donnie Darko to The Aviator, elevated the existing makeup and special effects to another level.
