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36 year-old Christopher Allen serves as Writer, Producer, and Director for his third feature project.  Originally from Bowling Green, Kentucky, Allen and his family relocated to Madison, Indiana in 1973.  The second of three children, Allen began his pursuit of filmmaking when he was 21 years-old.  Receiving (what he calls) an "epiphany" while sitting in a pizza parlor one day, Allen soon packed all of his earthly belongings into his tiny car, and headed to Florida to study film and television production.
Within two months of his arrival, Allen quickly set his goals into motion by securing a position with a low powered television station (TV-20) in Melbourne, Florida.  The fledgling operation green-lighted a variety/talk show in which Allen hosted and wrote it's early shows in late 1992.  "It was a blast" recalled Allen.  "Here I was not two months into living in Florida, and I could now call home and tell everyone I was hosting a TV show."  The show was the perfect showcase for several regional bands who sought free publicity, as well as other interesting guests.  "I had some rappers on-- just when rap was making the scene.  One spiritual advisor who I ended up putting to tears.  Some weird UFO conspiracy dude who believed God would end up 'beaming' his believers into his orbiting space craft.  It was a trip."  Allen added.
With his intentions focused on learning as much as he could about filmmaking, Allen submersed himself into the "scene" in central Florida.  Meeting dozens of independent screenwriters and producers, Allen also had the guidance from the film theory classes he was enrolled in at Brevard College in Melbourne.  "That's where I saw my first Kenneth Anger film."  Said Allen, shuddering as he remembers.  "Here was this stupid 21 year-old who's only cinema diet was Back to the Future and Star Wars-- and now I'm studying Gay, leather clad bikers bearing crucifixes in some classroom."  Quipped an amused Allen.  Leather or no leather, Allen continued his lessons and learned more about screenwriting.  His ultimate goal... to make a film about his deceased friend who passed on in 1989.

Allen's original goal in making films was placed on the back burner during late 1992 and early 1993.  The demands of daily television were taking it's toll on Allen.  That combined with a full time job and getting an education required too much from the young (balding) visionary.  "I quit the show in spring of 93'.  There was no way I could do it anymore.  I couldn't balance all three acts at the time...  I don't think anybody could have done it for any period of time."  Allen said.  "You Got It!", Allen's first venture into television died quickly thereafter, and so did TV-20 a year later.  "I called the station manager up one day to see how things were going, and found out they went belly up.  Good thing I jumped ship when I did." Remarked Allen.
   
   

In spring of 1997, Allen collaborated with The Living Years co-star Mark Overton to produce a 30 minute "short" of a story Allen wrote during post-production of The Living Years.  The story, "In My Life" would be the catalyst for Allen's career and endeavors in the Hollywood community.  "It opened up a lot of doors for me because it was a beautiful project."  The epic drama, capturing 70 years in recent American history, left audiences in tears.  "I had an 80 year old man come up to me and grasp my hand.  As he held it, it was like...  feeling this trembling intensity and conviction throughout his entire life.  I can't explain it, but when he told me that my film 'got it right' as to the WWII generation, I knew then I was doing something good."  Said Allen.

This project would eventually become Allen's greatest ambition in getting to the screen. "Its been eleven years since I wrote the story, and to this day, I still try to think of ways to tell this incredible story. But unfortunately, the story deserves a larger budget than what I can afford. I hope and pray one day this film is completed." said Allen.

(From Left, Teresa Saldana, Allen, and Margaret O'Brien)
The short film was shopped in Hollywood one month later, and managed to gain the attention of screen legend and Oscar award winning actress Margaret O'Brien (Meet Me in St. Louis, Little Women, The Secret Garden).  "In LA, it's who you know, and not what you know.  Case in point." Recalled Allen.  "It was my first BIG step into the Hollywood realm.  Here I am sitting inside the Beverly Hills Hilton with Margaret O'Brien and Teresa Saldana.  Wow.  It was like all the years of struggling were worth it."  Allen managed to convince Ms. O'Brien to star in his period piece, even signing on to his project when Disney expressed interest in buying the story.  "They backed out.  Who knows.  You're lucky to get even a phone call, let alone an e-mail in that town."

Three short months later in 1997, Allen had a close encounter with a powerful Hollywood player, ICM's Vice Chairman, Ed Limato.  "I didn't know who he was at the time, but I kept seeing his name in the trades (Variety, Hollywood Reporter) after my visit, and it then hit me-- 'Wow, this guy is one major player!"  replied Allen.  "Then when I found out this guy rep'd Mel [Gibson], Liam Neeson, and Wynona Ryder, I thought I'd better make a good impression.  To make a long story short, nothing ever happened with Ed except I got to date his niece."

1997 - Allen in Beverly Hills
With every possible creative and financial avenue exhausted in Madison, Allen left Madison for Indianapolis to re-start his career. "I hit the ground running," he said. "Within six months, I was casting 'In My Life' and shooting by December of '99. Realizing the project was too large for his means, Allen unwillingly cancelled production and re-shifted his focus on more contemporary pieces. "In My Life has this ten year history of false starts. I did the short in '97, tried in '99 and '05, but this project operates on a clock my eyes cannot see." Allen said.

CREDITS INCLUDE:

The Living Years (Feature - 1996)

In My Life (Short - 1997)

A Certain Justice (Feature - 2004)

Star Trek Versus Batman (Comedy - 2006)

A Time for the Heart (Feature - 2007)

Allen's IMDB Listing

 

 

Allen is happily married and resides in Carmel, Indiana with his dog Chocolate and four horses. His fervid dedication to his career displays no signs of letting up. "I have more reasons to quit this business than anyone else." he said. "But my Magnum Opus, In My Life, has yet to be done. If I have to work another 10 years to get that made, I will."

 

"That's what I wanted to do...  Nothing was going to stop me from making that (The Living Years).  I ate, slept, drank 'Living Years' for a period of almost five years.  And it sucked at times because here were kids my age going out and having fun while I sat at home typing up a screenplay."  The film officially premiered on June 7th, 1996 in Madison, Indiana.  Nearly two years of planning and rehearsals went into the project, costing Allen and his other two Producers well over $25,000.  "It flopped.  And there just isn't any other way of looking at it.  Sure you can say I learned a lot, or whatever, but it did teach me one thing...  Don't finance a film with two of your closest friends.  And plan your shots."  The film did receive some worthy praise for it's content and overall effort.  "I remember not a lot of people thought we could do it.  So in a way, we ended up proving to them that yes, we DID do it."  Said Allen.