About WinGateFilms
WinGateFilms is a small, independent filmmaking production company seeking to develop and produce independent films celebrating the human spirit by fostering a genuinely collaborative creative environment respecting the individual contributions of cast and crew.
In the Summer of 2005, Philadelphia area actor Michael Wingate Jones conceived WinGateFilms as a production vehicle for an exploratory attempt by a first-time filmmaker to produce a manageable weekend shoot project utilizing volunteer cast and crew. WinGateFilms enlisted the aid of Kevin Ploth of Plan Nine Design Productions to assist during pre-production and principal photography. Patrick Tyrrell, another Philadelphia area actor, also came on board as an additional co-producer from the beginning.
Nothing But Net is perhaps best characterized as a coming-of-age romantic dramedy, using a familiar basketball metaphor for finding fulfillment in life and relationships.
The production idea behind the independent short film, Nothing But Net was to gain practical, hands-on experience in all phases of independent digital filmmaking from start to finish. All too often, low/no-budget independent film projects are plagued by extended, never-ending production schedules which tie up actors and crew shooting for months on end with no guarantee of successful completion.
The goal of shooting in a single weekend was intended not only to address this problem of project manageability and reasonableness in respecting the volunteer nature of such a project, but also to maximize use of the available production budget which only permitted equipment rental for a 2-day shoot.
As an actor, Michael Wingate Jones has performed in lead and supporting principal roles in numerous independent short films, regional commercials and industrials, and community theater. He has also appeared on prime-time network television series such as: NBC's The West Wing, CBS' HACK and Cold Case, and worked on feature motion pictures such as: Invincible, Breach, Shooter, Lady In The Water, Rocky Balboa, XXX: State of the Union, The Happening, Get Smart, and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, etc., as well as SAG commercials and industrials for products such as Long Horn Steakhouse, AOL, PA Lotttery, Pizza Hut, etc.
Michael has also had experience casting and associate producing an original music video by Wayne Hsu which premiered on MTV CHI, and Fretboard Pictures' nationally released public service announcement for the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.
Currently, WinGateFilms has several short film scripts in various stages of development, with the long term goal of developing an appropriate producible narrative feature length project. Following attendance at Zane Management's Music Video Production Workshop, WGF is also considering branching out into production of music videos for emerging musical artists.
In addition to developing and producing original independent film projects, WinGateFilms is interested in helping to facilitate the organization of educational presentations on issues of project development, film financing, independent film distribution and film marketing serving the regional independent film community. For further information, contact mwjones@wingatefilms.com.