THE HAMMER
PRODUCERS: Joseph McKelheer /
Eben Kostbar /
LOGLINE
Inspired by the life of deaf UFC fighter, Matt Hamill, The Hammer tellsthe story of what it takes to be a champion, on and off the mat.
SYNOPSIS
Based on the life of the UFC fighter, Matt Hamill, The Hammer is a coming of age drama about the first deaf wrestler’s journey to win a National Collegiate Championship. Raised among those with the ability to hear, Matt finds himself no less an outsider amidst the Deaf community. But through sheer determination, he turns what could be a disabilityinto an asset and in the process serves as an inspiration for both those who can hear and those who cannot.
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
Matt Hamill, the first Deaf National Collegiate Wrestling Champion and UFC fighter, has achieved incredible success through hard work, determination, and an unwavering belief in himself. The Hammer the movie tells the inspirational true story of Matt's hardships, his victories, and his triumph over adversity and perceived disability. However, The Hammer is more than just a motivational sports film. The Hammer offers both hearing and deaf audiences an unprecedented, simultaneous theatrical experience, one that bridges the gap between the two worlds while inspiring, informing and uniting both deaf and hearing audiences in the process.
After five painstaking years in development, the film was shot over 29 days in the Autumn of 2009 in Rochester, NY, with a production team comprised of both deaf and hearing individuals. All deaf roles in the film went to deaf actors, including the lead role of Matt Hamill, played by Russell Harvard. The Hammer is the first non-foreign language film to incorporate open captioning, so that both audiences can simultaneously enjoy the film.
In addition to telling this exciting, inspiring true story, the goal of the filmmakers was to educate the hearing public about Deaf Culture, while uniting deaf and hearing audiences in the process. The result is a moving, groundbreaking, exciting film that will educate and entertain audiences the world over.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
Having spent a year as the caretaker of my uncle, a quadriplegic software engineer, I have developed a sincere and personal connection with the story of Matt Hamill. Seeing perfectly mentally-abled citizens of society spoken down to has always been difficult. But seeing them defy their expectations and become incredibly successful has always been an inspiration to me.
'The Hammer', the true story of a deaf collegiate wrestler, is a movie about turning your limitations into your advantages, about being creative with the hand you're dealt. Matt Hamill was born as a foreigner; the only deaf person in his family and his town, in a time when deaf education was almost non-existent. By putting his entire focus on wrestling, he managed to earn the acceptance of his peers, but still lacked personal connection with his community. Like Matt, many of us have similarly struggled to gain acceptance in our own lives. Specifically in the creative industries, we often depend so much on our work, we forget about our relationships. 'The Hammer', on its surface, is a movie that explores the balance between accomplishment and self-worth.
But 'The Hammer' also goes deeper. After a full immersion into the Deaf world, I've realized that there is an entire side of our society that has their own amazing and visual way of communication through sign language. With this project, I wanted to bring this culture to life on the screen and introduce it to the hearing community. And while the film reveals this hidden society, I also want to ask the question of how separate these worlds should be. Should deaf and hearing communities live apart? This question can manifest itself anywhere two differing groups meet -- should old and young be separated? Republicans and Democrats? Black and White? Jew and Muslim? Through the world of 'The Hammer', we will explore the virtues of separation, and the advantages of assimilation.
Accomplishing this on our modest budget took both creativity and assimilation into the community of Rochester, who welcomed our production with open arms. Shooting in Rochester, home to the largest concentration of deaf people in the world, was tremendously helpful for me. This experience can be seen in the film through the use of deaf points-of-view and a sparse soundtrack. In addition, I used many wide angles to help mirror an enhanced peripheral view, which is common among deaf people who communicate 100% through visuals. These techniques, combined with the use of subtitles and sign language, will bring this story to the screen in a brand new sensory manner.
With millions of deaf and hard-of-hearing Americans, the accurate portrayal of Matt Hamill and the members of his deaf world is of the utmost importance. This is why we have been unwavering on the decision to cast all of the deaf roles in this film with talented deaf actors. They brought realism to the roles that can only be present in people that have lived through the challenges of surviving in a hearing world.
I'm incredibly excited about this movie -- a film that deaf and hearing audiences can experience together, truly a first of its kind. Working side-by-side with a deaf and hearing cast and crew, 'The Hammer' will help prove that two communities can work together to produce a film that not only means a lot to me, personally, but to an entire culture that deserves to be known."
BIOS
DIRECTOR | OREN KAPLAN
Oren Kaplan has been directing for a variety of media over the past several years. For the past two years, he's worked at Disney's Take180, where he directed four shows for teenagers. His series, Electric Spoofaloo, surpassed a million views per episode online and has been featured everywhere from MTV and G4 TV to Entertainment Weekly and TVGuide magazines. While at Disney he also developed and directed a number of award winning shows, garnering two Webby Awards and three Telly Awards for his work. His series, My Alibi, was picked up by ABC Family and featured on their hit show, Secret Life of an American Teenager.
Outside of Disney, Oren recently directed a short-form series for Comedy Central called Modern Day Jesus. The show is currently being developed as a half-hour program with CAA, who discovered him after he made a video about the Writer's Guild Strike with writer Allan Loeb.
His body of work includes directing shows and videos for Turner Networks, Fremantle Media, Comcast, MySpace, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Julianne Hough, and an assortment of other companies and artists. He has also directed the 2nd unit on the theatrically-released Lionsgate film, The Hamiltons. His YouTube videos have been featured in Daily Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, The LA Times, The Chicago Tribune and hundreds of online portals.
WRITER / PRODUCER | EBEN KOSTBAR
Eben Kostbar is an actor and filmmaker based in Los Angeles. Kostbar directed, produced and starred in the short film KARMA CAFÉ in 2007, KARMA CAFÉ went on to win multiple awards at festivals that year. In 2009 Kostbar and Producer Joseph McKelheer formed the company Film Harvest.
With Film Harvest, Kostbar co-produced GODSPEED, winner of the CineVegas special jury prize and most recently was the writer/producer on the film, THE HAMMER based on the life of Deaf UFC fighter Matt Hamill, which premiered at AFI Fest 2010 winning The Breakthrough Award. THE HAMMER has since won seven more high profile film festivals awards and is slated for a late 2011 theatrical release. Eben is currently working on the films: FREE SAMPLES (starring Jess Weixler and Jesse Eisenberg), THE THOMPSONS, THE AGGRESSION SCALE and FIGHT CHURCH (directed by Oscar and Emmy Nominated, Daniel Junge).
WRITER / PRODUCER | JOSEPH McKELHEER
Joseph McKelheer is no stranger to hard work. Having grown up in Alaska, he would return during the summer from Colorado State University to work at a gold mine to finance his degree in none other than finance. Upon graduation, he made his way to Los Angeles, where work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit go a long way, or should anyway.
As an actor he is best known for his performance in the Lion Gate cult favorite THE HAMILTONS. He acted along side Cuba Gooding Jr. and Clifton Collins in DIRTY, worked with Mary Tyler Moore and Eliot Gould in the television series GOOD AS GOLD, and made his directorial debut with GELDERSMA, a festival favorite that McKelheer wrote, directed, and starred in alongside Tamara Feldman (DIRTY SEXY MONEY) and Dan Butler (FRAZIER).
Amidst his work as an actor, he applied his knowledge of business to producing music videos for Warner Brothers and gradually progressed to independent film with KARMA CAFE, THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG IN KANSAS, and most recently the psychological thriller, GODSPEED, in which he also played the lead and was awarded the Jury Award for Artistic Achievement at the CineVegas Film Festival. His latest film, due for a fall release, is titled THE HAMMER, the inspiring true story of Deaf UFC fighter Matt Hamill. McKelheeris currently working on the films: FREE SAMPLES, THE THOMPSONS, THE AGGRESSION SCALE and FIGHT CHURCH.
ACTOR | RUSSELL HARVARD
Russell Harvard was born April 16, 1981 in Pasadena, Texas. When Russell was old enough to start school, he and his family moved to Austin, Texas so he could attend Texas School for the Deaf (TSD). Russell attended TSD from kindergarten through twelfth grade where he discovered his passion for being on stage. After graduating at the top of his class in 1999, he enrolled at Gallaudet University but there was something out there he wanted to see and explore. His adventurous spirit called him to leave the university and move to Anchorage, Alaska to work with deaf students. Three years later, he decided to return to Gallaudet and graduated in 2008 with a degree in Theatre Arts.
Russell pursues the things he loves, his strong will and passionate heart has led him to many great opportunities throughout the years. He has always had a deep passion for sharing Deaf Culture and the art of theatre with others. Throughout his high school and college years, he was involved in about twelve different stage productions including Shakespeare's "Mucho Ado About Nothing," "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Sleeping Beauty Wakes." He has also acted in the feature films, "There Will Be Blood,” “Words” and “Claustrophobia." Furthermore, he has appeared on the television shows, “CSI: New York” and “Fringe.”
ACTOR | RAYMOND J. BARRY
Raymond J. Barry was born in New York, and attended Brown Unive rsity, where he was a star athlete in football, basketball, and track. While there, he earned his degree in Philosophy and as a senior, was cast in the stage production of "Picnic," where he played a football player. He then entered the Yale Drama School and after completing, acted in the Broadway play "The Leaf People."
After he moved to New York in the 1960s, his involvement with experimental theatre included work with Julian Beck at the Living Theatre and with John Vaccaro at the Theatre of the Ridiculous. Barry appeared in 17 productions of the New York Shakespeare Festival and by 1968, was touring Europe with Joseph Chaikin's Open Theatre.
Before moving into film, Raymond J. Barry appeared in more than 75 stage productions, winning two Obie Awards for "Leaf People" and "Molly's Dream." Barry is also actively writing stage projects. He co-directed the Puerto Rican Writer's Workshop in New York, and his play "Once In Doubt" won the 1990 Drama Critic's Circle Award. He has appeared in over 100 plays and has starred in such films as Dead Man Walking, Sudden Death, and The Chamber.
ACTRESS| SHOSHANNAH STERN
Shoshannah Stern is a graduate of Gallaudet, the world's only Liberal Arts College for the deaf. She recently played the role of Sarah i n "Children of a Lesser God" and was nominated for a Best Actress Award by the LA Weekly Theater.
She starred in, "Adventures in Power," which premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. She was a series regular on "Jericho," had a recurring role on "Weeds," and was a Guest Star on numerous shows, including “Lie to Me,”“Cold Case” and “ER."
Her film credits also include, "The Last Shot,”“Justice” and “The Auteur Theory.”
CAST
Matt Hamill………………………………………………...…RUSSELL HARVARD
Stanley Leroy McCoy………………………………………..RAYMOND J. BARRY
Kristi Jones………………………………………………...SHOSHANNAH STERN
Jay Jakubowski……………………………………MICHAEL ANTHONY SPADY
Michelle…………………………………………………COURTNEY HALVERSON
Janet Hamill………………………………………………………..SUSAN GIBNEY
Ron Gross……………………………………………………JOSEPH McKELHEER
Coach Cantrell……………………………………………………..EBEN KOSTBAR
Coach Pruitt……………………………………………………….RICH FRANKLIN
Pat Hamill…………………………………………………………GAVIN BELLOUR
Coach Rich………………………………………………………….STEPHEN DODD
Young Matt Hamill………………………………………….THEODORE CONLEY
Nick………………………………………………………………ANTHONY TRAINA
Kelly…………………………………………………………………...LEXI MARMAN
Dale……………………………………………………………………...CORY KNAUF
Vivian………………………………………………………………………KARA LUIZ
Dr. Hoffman……………………………………………………………LAUREN FOX
Purdue Professor………………………………………………BOB HILTERMANN
Rachel the Interpreter…………………………………………..SARA FLETCHER
Jason Sloan……………………………………………………………..GABE STOLT
Mechanic Daniel………………………………………….ROCKY ABOU-SAKHER
Mechanic Mikey……………………………………………..MATTHEW DICKENS
Angry Teen……………………………………………...JAMES TRISTAN MOORE
Young Pat Hamill………………………………………………………..WILL KURZ
Martin………………………………………………………………..TREVOR GROSS
Special Needs Teacher…………………………………………….LILLY HISENAJ
Chad the R.A…………………………………………………………AVI ROTHMAN
Sloan’s Coach…………………………………………………………CRAIG YOUNG
Referee………………………………………………………..…….JASON BOVENZI
Healdsburg Coach………………………………………………….PAUL BURRESS
Announcer………………………………………………………………...STAN MAIN
Rezac……………………………………………………...CHRISTOPHER MARVIN
Derrick Logan…………………………………………………..CODY GOODFRIED
Eli…………………………………………………………………..ANDREW GRILLO
Harold Russell……………………………………………………...SCOTT J. KLEIN
Marge Russell……………………………………………….CHRISTINE A. KLEIN
Janitor…………………………………………………………..TIMOTHY D. KLEIN
Featured Pretty Jogger…………………………………………..…JILL BURRESS
Bully #1………………………………………………………………BRIAN LANTRY
Bully #2………………………………………………………………..TYLER GROSS
FILMMAKERS
TapouT Films and Fifth Year Productions present a Film Harvest Production
Director……………………………………………………………….OREN KAPLAN
Writers………………………………………...... EBEN KOSTBAR
JOSEPH McKELHEER
Producers…………………………………………………….….….EBEN KOSTBAR
JOSEPH McKELHEER
Executive Producers………………….……………………..BOB BARTOSIEWICZ
DAVID KEINATH
DAN CALDWELL
OREN KAPLAN
WALI RAZAQI
KIP KONWISER
RICO LA PENDA
Co-Executive Producers……………………………………….…..JUSTIN MAGEE
ANGELO NOLE
CRAIG YOUNG
KIRON GHOSH
DAVE MacLEAN
Co-Producers………………….………………………..CATHERINE MacKINNON
K’DEE MILLER
Associate Producers…………………………………………………..CORY KNAUF
SCOTT J. KLEIN
Director of Photography………………………………………………..DAVID ROM
Production Designer…………………………………….RUTHORD PECKINPAWCostume Designer…………………………………………………….ALEXIS BECK
Composer, Orchestrator, Conductor……………………….…………………iZLER
Assistant to the Composer / Additional Music………………….…NATE FINAN
Sound Designer……………………………………………………...GEOFF GREEN
Editor……………………………………………………………JACQUELYN DEAN
Unit Production Manager………………………………….JOHNNY FLANAGAN
First Assistant Director………………………….RUTHERFORD PECKENPAW
Second Assistant Director……………….……………JAMES TRISTAN MOORE
Stunt Coordinator………………………………….….....ROCKY ABOU-SAKHER
Assistant Stunt Coordinator…………………………………ANTHONY TRAINA
Technical Advisor……………………………………………………MATT HAMILL
DUFF HOLMES
RON GROSS
Art Director………………………………………………………….BRIAN LOVELY
Assistant Art Director……..……………………………………JORDAN FULLER
Art Assistants…………………………………………………….LYDIA R. MOORE
MARY STEEVES
Costume Assistants…………………………………………..BRIDGET COLELLA
SHANNON LATTIMORE
Key Makeup Artist…………………………………………………LARA CILENTO
Makeup Artists……………….………………………………………NYKE PRINCE
LONDON BRICKLEY
Makeup Assistant………………….………………………….Todd Gottesman
Re-Recording Mixer/Supervising Sound Editor………………...GEOFF GREEN
Foley engineer…………………………………………………….Marissa Carus Martin Booe
Sound effect recordist…………………………………….…………….Sean Boyd
Tad Banzuelo
ADR recordist Rochester……………………….……..………..Brendan Simms
ADR recordist NYC…………………….….………………………………………Tao
Sweetener………………………………………………...Christian Schrader
Supervising Music Editor………………….……………………..KEVIN CREHAN
Music Editor………………………………………………...MICHELLE LYNSKEY
SCOTT JOHNSON
Additional Programming……………………………………………..NATE FINAN
Score Recordist/Score mixer………………………………...JOHN KURLANDER
Pro Tools Engineer……………………….………………….…..JORGE VELASCO
Additional Engineering………………………………….……ASHBURN MILLER
Technical Assistance……………………………………………JOEL THOMPSON
Online and Color Correct by…………………………………..…HOLLYWOOD DI
Digital Colorist……………………………..……………..…….JEREMY THOMAS
Visual Effects…………………………………………………….…..OREN KAPLAN
GINO ROY
Sound Mixer………………………………………………………….JOSH BISSETT
Boom Operator………………………………………………………CASEY SIEGEL
Production Coordinators…………………………….…………….JULIUS AMAYA
KARA LUIZ
First Assistant Camera……………………………………………MIKE KRIEGER
Second Assistant Camera…………………………….……….ERIK KANDERFER
Additional First Assistant Camera………………………………TRACY MORAN
Steadicam Operator……………………………………………….CHUCK MORAN
Jib Operator……………………………………………….WILLIAM SHAKELTON
Gaffer……………………………….………………………………….BART DURKIN
Best Boy Electrician……………………………………………….CHUCK MORAN
Electricians……………………………………………………….JAMES BURDETT
JOE CHIOFALO
TIMOTHY LIMNER
TOBY ORZANO
Key Grip………………………….…………………………….WILLIAM CLOUTER
Best Boy Grip……………………………………………………...ADAM KOLEGAS
Dolly Grip………………………………………………………………BRUCE BEGY
Script Supervisor……………….……………………………..WESLEY SWANSON
Casting Director…………………………………….………………..JOE LORENZO
DANIELLE LENNIGER
Data Managers…………………….……………………………ERIC OLLENBURG
CHRISTINA CHOE
Behind the Scenes Director………………….…………………………STAN MAIN
Assistant Behind the Scenes Director……………………………...MARK DAVIS