University of Massachusetts Boston student and English major Jason York just completed his very first film called “The Stoop” that he describes as “a love story with a twist.”
Along with co-author Joe Lemieux, the two began to work on the screenplay in February 2013, and exactly one year later, they are getting ready to premiere their movie in theaters.
Meet Amos Dibble, the protagonist of the movie, played by actor Brian Moore-Ward. Amos is a good-natured, introverted man who is living with OCD and still dealing with the death of his father that occurred 15 years ago.
He doesn’t do much: he plays chess with his best friend Buddy (played by York), and sits on his stoop watching the world pass him by. He goes about his life the same way every day until something turns his world upside down.
And that something would be free-spirited Nina, played by Ayshia Stephenson, his neighbor who decides that Amos’ stoop is her new favorite place to hang out. This, of course, sends Amos into a comedic and endearing OCD-induced frenzy.
Amos is torn. At the same time, this new girl sitting on his stoop throws off his very careful habits, yet she also intrigues him. The bulk of this movie consists of watching this unlikely friendship unfold and flourishing into something more.
“The Stoop” has something for everyone. It is an unlikely love story with a twist; it is a comedy of an introverted man trying to capture the heart of this headstrong girl, and it is also a drama about the struggles of living with mental illness.
“‘The Stoop’ is very relatable, and everyone can take something from it,” York says. “Whether they’ve found it or not, everyone’s looking for someone to be comfortable with. This movie is a different spin on two people finding a comfort level with each other.”
And what sets this movie apart from others? It is a modern-day love story, filmed entirely in black and white. This gives it a very timeless feel.
Moreover, the movie was also filmed on an exceptionally low budget. It was shot on a Canon 7D, with locations ranging from the actors’ apartment to a bar in Wollaston, and from UMass Boston to the car dealership in Braintree, where Yorkv works.
York stresses how feasible making your own movie can be and encourages others to do as well. ”You can make a movie for not a lot of money that has a decent amount of appeal. If people have that idea of ‘where do I go from here?’, do it yourself! Get your foot in the door,” says York.
And you can take it from him: reception for “The Stoop” has been very positive so far. The trailer was shown a few weeks ago at the Somerville Film Festival, and York hopes to premiere it this summer at local indie movie venues like The Coolidge Corner Theater and Kendall.
“The best part, as a first-time writer and director, was seeing what Joe and I wrote and collaborated on, come to life right in front of me by two very talented actors,” York explains. “It was very fulfilling.”
So keep an eye out for “The Stoop” set to hit theaters later this summer. It’s guaranteed to be a refreshing, humorous, and heartwarming tale that reminds us all that sometimes, love can be found right outside your front door.
In the meantime, check out their trailer and their Facebook page.