Moment of Truth comes home for Premiere

315 Films' debut feature, Moment of Truth, had its big premiere at the most fitting place of all — home.

The film, which shot in Fort Myers and around Southwest Florida in recent years, earned a coveted Saturday night primetime slot at the Fort Myers Film Festival recently, and played to a large crowd hardly ready for the visceral experience the finished film had to offer.

Present at the screening were a bevy of film personnel, including director Tim Ritter, actors Stu Alexander, Jennifer Keister, Shawn Genther and Dave LePage, as well as assistant director Ted Souppa and second assistant director Nick Twardus. Ritter, Alexander, Keister and Genther answered questions after the screening and gave a brief tribute to the film's late sound mixer and producer Jayson Martinez, who passed away in 2014.

Leading up to the screening, Moment of Truth earned coverage in multiple outlets such as The News-Press and Arts SWFLA, who pointed out that the film was the first locally made narrative feature to play the established and popular festival in its seven-year run.

Next the film will play across town at the Fort Myers Beach Film Festival  at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26, the beginning of what is hopefully a long and healthy festival run for the film. 

Moment, Testament get new trailers, sites

The first two feature-length projects from 315 Films are dazzling with new looks and fresh footage. Watch the trailers above, and find out more about Moment of Truth, which was completed late in 2015, at momentoftruthmovie.com, and Testament, which is expected to be done within the next month, at testamentfilm.com.

Both films are targeted for the 2017 film festival circuits.

Moment has come; Testament not far behind

Things are humming for 315 Films as 2015 draws to a close — the company has now locked picture on its second feature, Testament, and completed work on its first, Moment of Truth.

Sound designer Ryan Snow has finished his final round of audio tweaks on Moment of Truth, with his mix joining a thrilling and original score from composer Andrew Scott Foust to create a robust audio accompaniment to the film's vivid imagery.


Meanwhile, director Tim Ritter has completed all of the edits for Testament, and Snow and Foust are in the early stages of creating another striking soundtrack for that epic film.

Both films will show to private regional screenings once completed before traversing the festival circuit. Keep an eye on our Facebook accounts (Moment of Truth and Testament) and new Moment of Truth official site at momentoftruthmovie.com, with a new official site for Testament also in the works.

The Interview takes festival tour to hometown

After a highly praised appearance at the Fort Myers Film Festival last month, 315 Films short The Interview will return to the city in which it was shot for yet another festival appearance — this time at the 15 Minutes of Fame Film Festival.

The film will play in the 3 p.m. block at the festival, which will be held at the International Palms Resort on International Drive in Orlando, where the film was shot in the fall of 2013. Filmmakers will be in attendance.

The Interview follows Michael as he lands an interview on his biggest stage yet. So why does it feel like everything is slipping away? Anthony Consolo wrote and and stars in the film, alongside Enrico Marcellino. Tim Ritter produced and directed.

The Interview takes its festival tour to Fort Myers, Fla.

The Interview will play the Fort Myers Film Festival on Saturday, March 28, an appropriate destination for the latest production from 315 Films, which was born in Southwest Florida.

The film will be part of Shorts Block 14, which shows at 3:30 p.m. at the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center, alongside the film Trustworthy, co-directed by 315 alum Ted Souppa.

The Interview, which filmed last year in Orlando, follows Michael as he lands an interview on his biggest stage yet. So why does it feel like everything is slipping away? Anthony Consolo wrote the film and stars in it alongside Enrico Marcellino. Tim Ritter produced and directed.

315 mourns loss of Martin Lemaire (Jayson Martinez)

315 Films experienced a huge loss this month with the passing of frequent collaborator Jayson Martinez, who worked under the name Martin Lemaire. 

Martinez, who has worked on nearly every 315 project the last four years, died in a traffic accident the first week of December. Martinez first came on for Perry Wilson's short film Crust as a behind-the-scenes videographer, then slid over to boom operator and sound mixer for Tim Ritter's Dawn, a role he would inhabit for features Moment of Truth and Testament as well as shorts Free and The Interview. He was well into handling the post sound and foley for Moment of Truth, and preparing to do the same for Testament.

Here are some of the social media reactions to the news from the weeks that followed:

"Jayson Martinez...I cannot believe you've passed from this world. I must believe now that a Greater Light has welcomed you as "Soundalf the Chill" I will forever see LOTR Return of the King and think of this moment on set of @testamentfilm when I was moved to capture a Master of Sound resting from yet another fantastic day at work. It was honor to know you and work with you...my heart breaks for your family and I lift them all in prayer."

- Jose Miguel Vasquez, "Drew" in Testament

"I'm not really big on sharing anything personal on Facebook, but I have to say something in honor of my friend and creative partner the last several years, Jayson Martinez after hearing today of the shocking news of his passing. His help and belief in me has only been exceeded by my belief in him, both as a creative talent who can do anything he sets his mind to as well as an incredible human being whose friendship I valued greatly. You put up with all the crazy stuff I put you and the 315 crew through again and again, whether it was in Fort Myers, Alabama or Orlando, and made me feel like I could achieve pretty much anything (and we've achieved a lot together). Many prayers and thoughts of your family, Jayson, and I'll never forget what you did for me and meant to me and so many friends of ours. I'll listen to some Ozomatli and 90s hip hop tonight and think of you, man. You won't be forgotten."

- Tim Ritter, 315 Films co-founder and director of Moment of Truth and Testament

"In memory of Jayson Martinez...
36 years young, Husband, father to a beautiful 7yr old girl. A friend to many and well respected by all. Dedicated and passionate in the art of film, sound tech and acting.

You will be missed. R.I.P. "

- Vladimy Bellefleur, "Joseph" in Moment of Truth

"I cannot put it to words.

Jayson Martinez. I love you bro. RIP brother.

You will be loved. You will be missed."

- Bryan Davis, director of Job

"Jayson Martinez you will be missed my friend, it was a pleasure and an honor to have known you. Rip bro."

- Shawn Genther, "The Boss" in Moment of Truth

"All my love to the friends and family of Jayson Martinez. I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to work and create along side him. Rest in peace. And hopefully we all can manage to find some today."

- Rachel Comeau, "Mia" in Testament

Moment of Truth closes in on finish line

Step by step, Moment of Truth's debut is getting ever closer to completion. Director Tim Ritter joined cinematographer Perry Wilson recently in Fort Myers, Fla., where the two put the finishing touches on the final color grade for 315 Films' first feature. Meanwhile, composer Andrew Scott Foust completed his initial pass on what will be an intense and intensely original score for the movie.

While Foust and sound mixer Martin Lemaire finish their work on the movie's audio components, the film's marketing team will be readying an upgraded Moment of Truth website as well as preparing to roll out a comprehensive social media presence in anticipation of the film's completion in spring of next year, alongside 315's second feature Testament, which should follow close behind.