Oliver tries to live through a dark episode of depression; however, memories – both joyful and sorrowful – keep pushing their way to the forefront of his mind.
News & Reviews
- “IMDb Link – Chance Fuerstinger”https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8697498/
- “IMDb Link – April Matson”https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1642105/
- “Here Is Where the Monsters Live Private YouTube Link”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hYQBt_qms0
Director Biography – Chance Fuerstinger, April Matson
CHANCE FUERSTINGER
Ever since he was a child, Chance Fuerstinger wanted to be an actor. Stymied in his adolescence by being convinced that acting was not a practical occupation, he very briefly pursued psychology, political science, English, and – more briefly – medicine. But his love for performing and storytelling always steered him back. His acting background began with community theatre (such productions as The Fox on the Fairway, Be a Good Little Widow, and White People Christmas) as well as interactive murder mysteries and wild west shows for River City Entertainment in Boise, Idaho. Following the closure of RCE, Chance found himself without a creative outlet. It was then that he found April Matson and her superb tutelage through Platform Boise.
He began writing – a regrettable fantasy series – at age 11. To date, it has not seen the light of day; and Chance plans to keep it that way. He eventually steered away from novel-writing and began play/screenwriting. He has written several short films, an entire season for a television show, and is fleshing out the workings of a feature film.
More recently, he has discovered that he has a passion and a knack for directing and producing, and would like to pursue them along with writing and acting. His debut film, Here Is Where the Monsters Live, an amalgamation of all his creative passions, has been garnering international acclaim throughout its festival circuit. Upcoming in early 2022 is the release of a feature film he starred in – Fugued Up! – where he plays one of the main characters. He is also working on a series of short scripts that he has written, collectively entitled Bric-à-Brac. The first film in the anthology, Bric-à-Brac: Reconcile, is currently in post-production with projected release in late 2022.
He lives with his husband, Zack, and their three demon cats: Onyx, Lux, and Nemra.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8697498
APRIL MATSON
LosAngelesActingCoach.com founder and head coach, April Matson, is best known for her role as Lori Trager on the ABC Family (now Freeform) cable network television series Kyle XY. Prior to that, she played Penny Chase on the Fox sitcom Quintuplets alongside Andy Richter. In addition to guest starring in hit shows such as Psych, NCIS and American Dreams, she has been seen in several independent short and feature films throughout her career, including a few scrumptious Hallmark Christmas movies.
April has put in countless hours as a performer in live theater, sketch comedy and even dabbled in stand-up comedy. In 2004, she played Kikki in the world premier of Ernest Thompson’s irreverent comedy White People Christmas at the Zephyr in Los Angeles.
The foundation of her training has been a Meisner Hybrid with Andrew Benne, who currently owns and runs Acting SD in San Diego, California. She’s also trained under Anthony Meindl and Lindsay Frame at AMAW Los Angeles and studied at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Upright Citizens Brigade, Groundlings and The Second City.
In 2016, April founded Platform, a boutique acting studio in Boise, Idaho where she also began her journey as a filmmaker. Together with her husband, Scott Grady, she co-writes, co-produces and co-directs short films and comedy sketches. April and Scott’s small, grassroots production company Apricott Films has already started to collect greatly appreciated awards and accolades among small film festivals throughout the country.
In 2018, April co-authored a book with Catrine McGregor, CSA, called Both Sides of the Desk: A Conversation Between a Casting Director and an Actor which is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle format.
April currently teaches at Los Angeles Acting Studio SD in San Diego, California (also known as Acting SD) and is co-founder of Los Angeles Acting Studio LA in North Hollywood, California.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1642105
Director Statement
I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety when I was 14. A few years ago, I wrote “Here Is Where the Monsters Live” during a particularly bleak depressive episode. I love watching films and television; however, I have found a serious misrepresentation when it comes to depression. Oftentimes, it seems, our protagonists suffer a bout of depression after a clear trauma has befallen them, but by the end of the film, they are more-or-less cured. I’m sure it’s meant to be uplifting or inspiring, but those of us who live with depression and other mental health illnesses know that this is not how it works. My goal for this film is to show that mental health illnesses, such as depression, are chronic, and exist cyclically. A person may feel their very best one moment, and then feel nothing but despair and emptiness the next, often without any rhyme or reason.
– Chance Fuerstinger
Experimental Film & Music Video Festival 