Entertainment

“Steps”: Laughter in Every Step

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2 months ago

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We’re thrilled to introduce Dan Bricker and Eytan Millstone, amazing filmmakers who are making waves in the industry! Their latest project, “Steps,” has earned them a spot as a finalist for the Best Dark Comedy Film Award at the Houston Comedy Film Festival. 
The Inspiration Behind “Steps”

The concept behind Steps has been simmering since 2017, born from the global craze for counting steps. Dan and Eytan imagined a world where, instead of aiming for 10,000 steps a day, one would only have 50 steps to use. Years went by, and despite the growing popularity of step counting, no one had explored this simple yet intriguing idea on film.As comedians, they knew the film needed to be rooted in humor, and the only way to achieve this was by making their main character, Tanner Slade, as unlikable as possible. In this darkly comedic scenario, Tanner becomes the perfect victim, and the audience might even find themselves rooting for the “villain,” who, by all accounts, is a psychopath deserving of jail time.

 

A significant factor in bringing Steps to life was their connection to actor Evan Williams. With major portions of the short playing out like a silent film, Evan’s ability to convey emotion and character through facial expressions alone elevated the film beyond what Dan and Eytan had initially envisioned.

Overcoming the Challenges
Despite initial thoughts that Steps would be a simple shoot, it quickly became more complicated during pre-production. The team had to be constantly aware of how many steps the character had left, and ensure that, no matter how outlandish the plot became, it remained grounded in some form of reality.The most challenging aspect, however, was the tight shooting schedule. With just four days to film, achieving the desired aesthetic and tone while confined to mostly one location required a high level of creativity to keep the film from feeling monotonous. The team rose to the challenge, making the most of their limited time and space to create a dynamic and engaging film.
An Experienced Comedy Duo in the Making
Dan and Eytan have been involved in filmmaking, comedy, writing, and performing for nearly twenty years, but it wasn’t until 2022 that they formed a partnership to write and direct films together. Steps is their first project as a duo, and they are excited to see where this collaboration will take them.
What’s Next?
The pair has a slate of feature film ideas in the works, and they plan to have a script for their first feature ready within the next few months. With Steps just beginning its festival run, Dan and Eytan are eager to connect with distributors, agents, and managers who can help bring their future projects to a wider audience.
Connect with Dan & Eytan
For more behind-the-scenes content and updates on their work, you can follow them on Instagram at @brickstar or @eytanmillstone. You can also reach them via email at eytanmillstone@gmail.com or brickerdan@gmail.com. For those looking to connect over more than just film, they also expressed a fondness for pickles and would be interested in joining any pickle-based organizations.
On the Horizon
As Steps begins its journey through the festival circuit, Dan and Eytan are looking forward to what comes next. They are eager to discuss their work with potential collaborators and anyone who can help them get their content into the world. And, of course, they wouldn’t mind meeting someone with a fresh batch of half sour pickles.
Dan and Eytan’s comedic approach to filmmaking, coupled with their ability to tackle relatable yet absurd ideas, makes them a duo to watch. Steps is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting partnership in the world of comedy and film.

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