About Me
My name is Adam Zanzie, and I am a Film Production major at Webster University. Before Webster, I spent a couple of years enrolled at St. Louis Community College in order to take general education courses and transfer my way into film school. During that time, I blogged extensively about movies, and one of my reviews was even praised on Twitter by the late film critic Roger Ebert (https://twitter.com/ebertchicago/status/29109379551). I am currently editing an eBook on the films of Steven Spielberg for the company Take2 Publishing.
All my life, I've been passionate about two mediums: film and literature. When I came to Webster, I began to think seriously about what kind of filmmaker I wanted to be for the rest of my life, and I deduced that I would like to develop a career as a writer/director who adapts literary works by authors that I love into great films that do them justice. It is a lifelong goal that was confirmed by the completion of my Film II, "Mark Twain's Bad Boy Without Grief" (2013), for which I had the overwhelming support of a brilliant, hard-working cast and crew. In the process, it became the first film of mine for which I was truly proud.
I believe I did justice to Twain with that film, so now, with my senior film, I seek to do justice to Jack London -- who, like Twain, is often mistaken as a mere children's writer when he was clearly so much more than that.
"A Thousand Deaths", published in 1899, is a rare work of science fiction by London, who is often thought to be mostly a writer of books about dogs and wolves. This particular story focuses on the tormented relationship between a mad scientist and his estranged son.
The catch? The mad scientist won't stop killing and bringing his son back to life over and over again.
In the original story, the narrator violently rebels against his father. Our film is going to go even deeper than that by reflecting on how their differing views of science have shaped their worldviews.
The father, by killing and resurrecting his son, is obsessed with delaying his son's growth and holding onto the past.
The son, who has discovered how to vaporize people into thin air -- literally -- is more interested in breaking away from his father's control, much like molecules splitting apart.
So, our film will essentially be about a battle of two enormous scientific egos, provoked by a troubled family past.
How can you say no to that!??
Incentives and Donations
As a contributor to this project, you have an array of incentives you will receive (see right).
Every film has unforeseen costs or unintended problems on location, but your donation will help fund the following: Advanced Lenses / dolly and camera gear / lighting / wardrobe / props and set design / truck rental and gas / any permits that may be required for location usage / a small emergency fund for incidental costs that may arise and, most importantly, food for the cast and crew.
Every dollar is appreciated, and I cannot express enough gratitude for your generous support!
Other Ways You Can Help
By spreading the word around, you'll contribute more than you think. If you like what you see here, tell your friends about it. Share this page on Facebook, Twitter and any other social mediums you can think of. I'd really appreciate it!
