Hi! 

Thanks for stopping by. This website is my attempt to be comprehensive in my approach to film. In particular, to create a living document on what I am trying to do. To tell that tale, I think I need to start from the beginning.

Most filmmakers today seem to have this desire to make film be codified in film-related schooling. They are inspired, they go to film school, and then they basically apprentice their way through the film industry. This means you will meet many a grip, or a gaffer or a set dresser who also wants to be a director, or actor or producer. From the beginning of what we call the film industry, this is normal. 

Like those folks, I have a film-related story. When I was a young boy, our family was very poor, and we struggled to stay in one place. From what I have been able to gather, before I was 10 I had lived in 50 plus different places. That instability led to me having a lot of trouble fitting in at school. I was always the new kid. My mother, who was raising myself and my sisters in this environment, despite her own personal struggles, did make a few attempts to help take me away from reality.

One time in particular, I was in school, on a Monday, and they called me to the office. I just went, because getting called to the office was not abnormal for me. I was surprised to see my mother there. At first I was afraid something bad had happened, but she put my fears at ease by saying, "I'm taking you to the movies!" I got so excited! We went to Westgate Cinema Centre next to the Westgate Mall in Brockton, MA. The movie was Back to the Future 3, which is not now the favorite of the BTTF superfans. At the time though, a flying train was pretty cool. I loved westerns, and the cowboy jokes worked on me.

(Full aside: One of my acting dreams is to die at the beginning of a western, you know the guy who gets into an argument with the hero at the saloon? Me, in full beard, getting wacked. Total bucket list.)

I cherish that memory. I still love that movie, despite the flaws. It gave me a love for film, that has only deepened over time. There were shows like 'The Movie Loft' on Channel 38 when I was really young. There was the advent of cable, (and "stealing cable") and channels dedicated to movies. There were films that inspired me ( I will eventually talk about my LOVE for baseball movies). In the end though, my own life has led me to this point of trying to make films. I have always been a writer, and that was definitely inspired by my mom. Her desire to write her story has always been hindered by life, and I feel if I can succeed, even as a small movie maker, then maybe I can help her. 

HollyWooot Film Group (and the official company does have three O's), is my attempt to bring about filmmaking that is different than what I have experienced. First, filmmaking does not have to be extreme. Hours can be normal, people can and should be paid, and dreams do not have to be desperate. Second, people should feel safe on set, whether from creepiness, or falling wires, there is no reason a set should be a nightmare factory (except for making horror movies). No one should feel harassed, and everyone should feel supported. Third, and I get a lot of pushback on this from my industry friends, filmmaking should be collaborative. Directors should direct, and grips should grip but grips have great ideas that help directors direct, and those ides should have a forum.

Finally, films should tell stories. Unique stories or repeated ones, but stories need to be told. I hope that as this project grows and moves forward, I can help you tell your story as well. May 27th, 2024 - John Edward Keough