Synopsis
A misguided father forces his unwilling son to spend a day with him learning to play the family pastime of baseball. A tradition that goes back further than he could ever imagine. With the help of an old family bat, both sides learn more about each other and what a relationship means between a father and son.
Director Biography - Cody McHan
Cody McHan is a writer and director from East Tennessee. In addition to writing for many of the area’s independent filmmakers, Cody is best known for directing his own award winning short films such as Fly Me to the Moon, Break, and In the Ring. He currently works as a director and cinematographer for numerous projects, both locally and worldwide.
Our Review
Sports stories are so innately inspirational and so is Base ball with Dad. Cody McHan talent as a screenwriter is all over this script. The acting was simply amazing, what else could you say of both Bing Fu and Cameron Fu? The father/son pairing make a believable duo. Bing Fu character is all about depth and he displayed it perfectly. The story of Jason's grandfather fighting a tornado, preaches what optimistic 'can do' philosophy, that it's never too late to be what you could be. The film closes with Jason leaving the baseball field talking to his son about his great grand father. The same story which inspired him in keeping up the family legacy.
It is a well-written, well- directed, well- acted and well--produced short film. Hats off to all who had a hand in getting this one done!
Director Statement
Baseball with Dad is a personal story to me. One that is based around my own childhood as well as the childhoods of other people I saw growing up in a small town sports community. Bing Fu needs no introduction to many of the people around Knoxville. He has a natural kindness and charisma that he radiates on and off the screen. Some of his more subtle facial expressions take what is a relatively simple script and elevate it past the words on the page. This role could have only worked with him playing the lead.Not enough good things can be said about Cameron Fu. Working with child actors is always a risk, but for a kid with very little acting experience, Cameron came at the role with a level of professionalism and chops that is rare even in adult actors. Sharing his father's natural charisma, he embodies this character in a way that I can't say is anything but his own anymore.Finally, a special thanks to Knoxville Holstons Vintage Base Ball Club, who allowed us to come film during their practices and to add their knowledge and cast of characters to our baseball movie. Definitely try to catch one of their games if you're a fan of period pieces, baseball, or just a good time.Sometimes you start out with one idea and end up having to pivot to another (if you're me, then every time). Luckily, I'm friends with a group of talented professionals who can work fluidly in whatever role you throw at them (and have fun simultaneously). We shot for four days in the middle of summer and what could have been an awful time ended up being a blast. The energy was always high.CAST Bing Fu - Dad/Grandpa Cameron Fu - Jason Knoxville Holstons Vintage Base Ball Club Toby Darling - Older Player Jaden Fu - Teenage PlayerCREW Cody McHan - Writer, Director, Co-Editor, Producer, Cam Op C Joseph Fioravanti - Producer, Co-Editor, Location Sound, Cam Op B Jeremy Lowery - Director of Photography, Visual FX, Cam Op A Tyler Broadway - Best Boy Katie Russell - Costume/Makeup, PA Gary Ellis - PA Brett Allen - Audio Mixing and Mastering
Credits
Cody McHan Director: Fly Me to the Moon (Short), Break (Short)
Cody McHan Writer: Legacy (Short), Fly Me to the Moon (Short), Break (Short), In the Ring (Short)
Cody McHan Producer: Fly Me to the Moon (Short), Break (Short)
Joseph Fiorvanti Producer: Break (Short), In the Ring (Short)
Bing Fu Producer:
Bing Fu Key Cast "Dad" Outer Banks, Black Panther, Homicide Hunter: Lt. Joe Kenda, American Detective
Cameron Fu Key Cast "Jason"
Specifications
Project Type: Short
Genres: Family, Drama, Comedy, Nostalgic, Hearfelt, Inclusive
Runtime: 14 minutes 23 seconds
Completion Date: January 2, 2023
Production Budget: 500 USD
Country of Origin: United States
Country of Filming: United States
Language: English
Shooting Format: Digital
Aspect Ratio: 1920:1080 HD
Film Color: Color
First-time Filmmaker: No
Student Project: No
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