Silver Spring Filmmaker Jason Baustin Debuts Thriller at the AFI

Filmmaker Jason Baustin moved to the downtown Silver Spring  area from Atlanta, Georgia to study Film and Digital Media at American University. After getting his degree Baustin stayed in the area to pursue his dreams. Baustin will debut his movie "Gone Forever" at the AFI April 16 located at 8633 Colesville Road. There will be two showtimes at 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Patch caught up with Baustin to discuss his film debut.

Patch: What inspired you to create this psychological/thriller?

Jason Baustin: I came up with the idea because I wanted to tell a story about the power of dreams. I basically came up with the idea [outlining] what if one of your loved ones came back to you and haunted you and you remember that person in kind of a bad way. From there, I built the story around a husband who loses his wife, she’s very nice in real person, but because he feels so much guilt for her death his sub-conscience turns her into something evil.

Patch: How long did it take you from the script writing process to produce the movie? 

Baustin: It took about 8 months. I actually filmed in a September in Baltimore and little in Silver Spring as well.

Patch: How difficult was the process including the fact that you played multiple roles?

Baustin: I’m the director, I also produced, and edited the film as well.  It was quite difficult. We were shooting on high definition cameras with the work flow and editing it was time consuming. The longest part of the movie is making sure you get the editing right. Music and sound mixing was pretty difficult but I’m happy it’s complete. 

Patch: I bet you are. (laughing) Well, I have to ask you a Patch favorite. What is on your Ipod that is pretty embarrassing that if people knew you listened to it they’d be surprised?

Baustin: I like Britney Spears, I not gonna lie. (laughing)            

Patch: Why Britney Spears?

Baustin: I like that she’s older and her music is pop and electronic heavy. I like her music videos because their really creative and their good examples of what you can do with technology and special effects.