On the Chopping Block: New Local Film Confronts Confrontations, Bloody Marys, and Anxiety
Eau Claire filmmaker Tim Schwagel packs emotional punch into new film with a twist that keeps on twisting …
In his most recent short film, Chopping Block, Eau Claire filmmaker Tim Schwagel packs an emotionally-charged punch into a 10-minute film with a twist that keeps twisting.
The film focuses on the fallout of a tense confrontation between a young couple that just may change the way you think about Bloody Marys forever, according to the artist.
Hesitant to give too much away and spoil the film’s crucial twist, Schwagel enigmatically synopsized Chopping Block in a short yet powerful sentence sure to pique anyone’s curiosity: “A young woman confronts someone too close for comfort after an alarming realization,” Schwagel said.
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It started out as a straight comedy but, as I went on, I realized I was making a drama about anxiety.
Tim Schwagel
Local Filmmaker
Schwagel described Chopping Block as a “dramedy” in which he drew upon his personal experiences dealing with anxiety and overthinking – something he thinks most people can relate to on some level.
“It started out as a straight comedy," Schwagel said, "but, as I went on, I realized I was making a drama about anxiety."
Chopping Block, which was completely crowdfunded, was shot last year at Eau Claire’s very own retro diner The Classic Garage, and stars Laine Vanden Boom, Asiah Doyle, and Chippewa Valley High School English teacher Molly Barnes.
Since he is submitting it to a variety of film festivals, Schwagel said the film won’t be posted online for “quite some time” per film festival guidelines. However, he did premiere Chopping Block at a house show in July, alongside films from local creatives Mack Hastings and Gabbie Henn.
“Some people may take it completely at face-value, and it won’t be funny, it’ll be a drama,” Schwagel said. “But to me, it’s really funny. Some people will find it funny, and some people will take it seriously, but I think they will still like it.”
Take a peek at a preview of Chopping Block on IndieGoGo.
