Director is a brief glimpse of a film student’s idea of writing, directing and it coming to completion. In 2013, Martin a film student attending Ryerson University’s Image Arts program was about to embark in his inaugural directorial debut. One evening after a long writers block, an epiphany transpired that would fashion his idea into a screenplay eventually leading him to become green-lit. In his downtown Toronto, apartment balcony spawned his soon to be a 4th-year thesis film. During his stint at as a student, he worked part-time at Image Arts Cage. With a friendly smile, he assisted fellow students; from photography, new media, and film, aiding them in daily needs of production equipment.

It was one of those days, students congregating outside the Image arts building, a daily ritual of dealing with daily post-secondary life. Searching for material to work on, Martin began the story of his film all began, it became evident that he had a passion in his gestures; he was articulate, the drive and the passion for his dream was remarkable, to say the least. It occurred that there was a narrative to work with; this assignment lay there, to document, as his film would unravel, his work would speak for itself. It all happened all so fast, first auditions and soon thereafter on a bus to Bracebridge, a town in the Muskoka region of Ontario, for the principal shooting of the film. The film eventually premiered at RUFF (Ryerson University Film Festival) on May 13, 2014.

Excerpt from the INDIEGOGO campaign.

“The film is based on the 2008 novelette “The Ray-Gun: A Love Story” written by Canadian author James Alan Gardner. It won the 2009 Theodore Sturgeon Award and was nominated for the 2009 Hugo Award for Best Novelette as well as the 2009 Nebula Award for Best Novelette. The original story follows Jack through many stages of his life. From when he is a young boy, through teenage-hood, to adulthood. When adapting a short story into a short film, you have to cut a few corners in order to make the story come through visually. Our film keeps the same themes as the original; finding love then losing it, growing up, and living with your past.”

“The Ray-Gun: A Love Story: is a film about a 17-year-old boy named Jack who discovers an alien ray-gun after it crashes in the forest of his hometown. Jack is the kind of teenager who has not quite grown up as much as his peers. He has dreams of being a superhero or a space captain and indulges in the worlds of sci-fi. The Ray-Gun becomes his obsession that is until he meets Kirsten, a 16-year-old girl whose maturity is high for her age but shares Jack’s love for sci-fi. So what will Jack choose in this story of a strange love triangle? The girl or the Ray-Gun? Someday we all have to grow up. Those days might come faster than others.” -Martin

Q. How did you come up with the Idea of this Film?
A. I was on a bit of a writer’s drought last year when I was trying to come up with ideas for my third year film. I have always loved sci-fi and adventure stories so I started to look up different sci-fi short stories. I came across a list of stories and the name “The Ray-Gun: A Love Story” just caught my attention and I was instantly hooked.
Q. What were your influences for a storyline?
A. Well I really wanted to try to stay to the original text. However, as the story went on I started to relate the main character Jack to myself and the films that I used to love as a kid.
Q. How do you think your film will come across to the audience?
A. Well it does have a very sad ending so I hope it will hit people hard. As long as one person understands what I am trying to say with the film then I will be happy.
Q. Growing up in Muskoka how did that influence you?
A. Coming from a small town, family is important. It is a huge part. But you also have a lot of time to yourself since you are not surrounded by people all the time. Country and city people have many differences, so I think my different look at things helps.
Q. You mentioned TV shows, any in particular that have influenced you.
A. Not with the films per say, but TV influenced me personally. I always say I was brought up by TV. Everyday I would wake up, watch TV, go to school, come home, watch TV, do homework in front of the TV, then sleep. It was my world I could go into and watch other people live their more interesting lives.

Q. Any regrets, Lessons?
A. In film, you have to not take yourself so seriously and just put yourself out there. Different people have different methods. In the end whatever works to get you where you want, works.
Q. In the Indiegogo campaign your very much yourself, that care free Martin that we have met at the cage while getting equipment, Do you see yourself always a people person?
A. I do is most ways. I think its because when I grew up I was very shy and alone. I do not have brothers or sisters so I always had to entertain myself. Nevertheless, when I was in grade 7 I was in the school musical. After that, I loved the stage. I loved performing for people, so after that I became the person that just wanted to entertain all the time. However, I will say there are times where I like being alone and to myself.
Q. Top 5 movies / Films that have influenced you.
A. This is tough. Probably the hardest question you can ask a film student. 1,Empire Strikes Back. The film made me, fall in love with movies. 2, Pulp Fiction. It is the movie that made me, want to make movies. 3, The Little Rascals. It is my childhood favorite. I can watch it a million times and I will never not love it. Keeps me feeling young. 4, The Big Lebowski (1998) Honestly, it is my favorite comedy of all time. It defines my sense of humor. 5, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly; Because Sergio Leone is one of my all time favorite directors. He has inspired me in the art of story telling like no one else has.