Sean Francis Ellis

Screenwriter/Director/Editor
Screenwriter, Director, Assistant Director, Editor and Production Assistant

Gold Coast, Australia

Member Since:
February 2016

Last online:
4 days ago

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About Sean

Sean is a Screenwriter, Director, Editor and Producer. He has worked in film & television production in Australia and the US since 1994, while writing screenplays and directing short films.

Sean began making films while growing up in Sydney, and later Hong Kong. In 1991, Sean returned to Australia to attend the VCA School of Film and Television in Melbourne (formerly Swinburne). Trained in Screenwriting, Direction, Editing and Cinematography, he graduated with a Bachelor of Film and Television Production, in 1994.

In 2006, Sean interned with production companies in Los Angeles and worked as an Assistant at Larger Than Life Productions on the Universal Studios lot, learning the studio development process.

In 2010, Sean's feature screenplay, "Claws", was a finalist in the Beverly Hills Film Festival Screenwriting Competition. That year, Sean directed and produced a proof-of-concept short, based on the feature screenplay. Since 2011, Sean has developed several feature screenplays, and in 2014, "The Legend of Yakatutch" was awarded Best Project & Pitch by a panel of international judges, during the 3-D Stereo Media Summit in Liege, Belgium. The screenplay is being adapted into a comic book.

Sean's recent projects include a 5-part documentary, filmed in Hong Kong in 2017, and two new screenplays - "Shadow Men", an Action/Sci-Fi/Thriller (co-written with Kent Hill), and a Crime/Thriller based in New York City. His feature screenplay, "The Legend of Yakatutch", is being adapted into a comic book by Los Angeles-based artist, Joe Suitor.

Unique traits: I attended High School in Hong Kong before returning to Australia to study film production at the VCA in Melbourne.

Gender:
Male

Height:
6' 2"

Body type:
Slim

Hair:
Medium

Hair color:
Brown

Eyes:
Blue

Certifications

Photos

Videos

Loglines

The Legend of Yakatutch Budget: $10M - $30M | Action ⋄ Horror ⋄ Adventure When his girlfriend is abducted by a legendary creature in the Yukon wilderness, an aimless young First Nations man learns he is descended from the cursed man-turned-beast, and the only one who can destroy the creature, before it locates his mountain town. www.seanfrancisellis.com
Shadow Men Budget: $1M - $5M | Thriller ⋄ Sci-fi When a retired special forces soldier arrives in a remote town looking for a new start, he discovers the inhabitants are being subjected to mind control experiments by a paramilitary organisation, with plans to unleash the technology on the entire country. Narrowly escaping capture himself, he enlists a small group of locals to help him save the missing townspeople, now a small army of violent puppets at the command of the Shadow Men.
Resist! Budget: $5M - $10M | Thriller ⋄ Action When ultra-nationalist political parties seize power in Europe and impose martial law to silence dissent, a secret organization of spies, formed after World War II and dedicated to preserving democracy throughout Europe, sends five AGENTS to infiltrate The United Front, before the rest of Europe falls under their control. CLARA DUMAS, a cyber-warfare analyst, uncovers a traitor and a plot to start a war in Europe, that only she can prevent.
Angel Dust Budget: $0 - $100K | Thriller ⋄ Crime When a Law student's boyfriend is found dead from a suspected drug overdose, she uncovers the truth on her own and becomes a target for the killers.
Claws Budget: $5M - $10M | Thriller ⋄ Adventure When mutilated victims are found in the mountains of the Yukon Territory, a young First Nations man discovers his connection to a legendary beast that was once human, and teams up with an indigenous hunter to destroy the creature, before it finds their mountain town.

Credits

Island School: Celebrating 50 Years (2017 - 2021)
Documentary by Sean Francis Ellis (Documentary and History) Director, Editor, Cinematographer, Producer Following a timeline from the school’s foundation, the film takes viewers on a nostalgic journey through the first 50 years of this unique institution, with music and images from each decade. Focusing on staff, students, events, achievements, and the future of the school, the film culminates with the anniversary celebrations, which attracted hundreds of Islanders to Hong Kong from around the world in June, 2017. Five segments, each covering a decade, were released as individual downloads between 2018 and 2021, as each was completed. All five segments, covering 1967 to 2017, are available on DVD and Blu-ray (limited supply), or as a digital download, here: http://www.cinebrand.com.au/shoppingcart
Alien Inhabitant (2011)
Film (Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Horror and 4 More) Second Unit Director/Script Doctor Mark struggles with drug addiction following the war. An Alien that only Mark can see, manipulates his will, forcing him to commit acts that he cannot recall. As his mind spirals out of control, his closest friends seek to have him committed. But Mark will do anything to stop them, and so will the Alien... Written by Alien Inhabitant
Claws (2010 - 2011)
Film (short) (Action, Adventure, Horror and Short) Writer/Director/Producer When an Anthropologist disappears in the ice fields of the Canadian Yukon, his son Scott (20) suspects he was searching for a legendary creature. In his father's study, Scott finds a map showing his father's destination, and sets off for the remote location by helicopter, with four friends. After searching the area and finding nothing, their helicopter returns to collect them, but crashes, leaving Scott and his friends stranded. Using his father's map to look for shelter, Scott and his friends come across the carcass of a deer, brutally killed by another animal. A strange howl warns them of danger, and they soon find themselves being stalked by a ferocious predator. As one of their group is taken, a grisly old hunter appears and offers to lead them to safety. But can he be trusted? Written by Sean Ellis
I Wish I Were Stephanie V (2009)
Film (Comedy, Drama and Romance) Editorial department Soon to be 21 year old Helen Andritis is a consummate tennis player, being raised by her embarrassing traditional Greek grandmother. All Helen wants to do is win the tennis championships, but all her grandmother wants is for Helen to find a nice Greek boyfriend, like Jimmy Koutella, who is Helen's childhood crush. But Helen (who is still a virgin) can't even muster the nerve to talk coherently in his presence, despite his mother and her grandmother's match-making endeavors. Nor does she really think he's that interested. Not a day goes by when she doesn't wish she looked just like one of her classmates, Stephanie V, a beautiful Eurasian model who appears on the cover of every magazine, and who plays tennis like a pro. This tale takes us through the trials, traumas, and romances of 3 very different young women being raised by their immigrant families. It's fun, it's crazy, it's serious. It will make you cheer and cry - but not too much! In the tradition of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" ... Written by Laura Sivis
Still Life (2005)
Film (Drama and Short) Second Assistant Director Ron has his world turned upside down, when Mandy, a young, chaotic woman turns her attention to him. The relationship is not what Marcus, his well-intentioned son, expected when he suggested his father take part in drawing classes. A man of Ron's age should think twice before getting involved with a woman like that, but what has Ron to lose? Only his life... What life? Written by Anonymous
Son of the Mask (2003 - 2004)
Film by New Line / Lawrence Guterman (Adventure, Comedy, Family and Fantasy) Production Runner Ten years after the adventures of Stanley Ipkiss in Edge City, the legendary Mask of Loki finds its way into the hands of an aspiring cartoonist, Tim Avery whose new baby son named Alvey is born with the Mask's spectacular powers. But the really big trouble begins when Loki himself the god of mischief, comes looking for his mask, under command by his father Odin. And he's willing to do whatever it takes to get it back. Written by Anthony Pereyra <hypersonic91@yahoo.com>
A Wreck, a Tangle (2000)
Film (Drama) Production Runner Add a Plot »
Our Lips Are Sealed (2000)
Film by Courage Films / Laura Sivis (Comedy, Crime and Family) Producer's Assistant Follow Mary-Kate and Ashely halfway around the world in this Aussie adventure jam packed with non-stop action, laughs, super spies and surfer guys. The extraordinary escapade begins when the girls eyewitness a crime and are forced to go undercover in the FBI Witness Protection Program. Unfortunately, not even the FBI can save the girls from their own blabbermouths as they blow their cover in town after town, until there's only one hiding place left - Australia! Written by Anonymous
Desy (2000)
Film (Drama and Short) First Assistant Director When her village is destroyed, a young East Timorese girl, is taken into care by foster parents, while the authorities search for her parents. A journey of a child's process of dealing with loss ... https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/desy-2000/15667/
Muggers (2000)
Film (Comedy, Crime and Romance) Camera Department (Video Assist) Brad and Gregor, two broke medical students in their final year and debut to a loan shark, must resort to contentious lengths to finance themselves. A fresh comedy with scruple less students.
Scrapbook (1999)
Film (Comedy, Drama, Family and Music) Miscellaneous Crew Sibling rivalry is the focus of this film. A younger, less secure boy falls in the shadow of his older, more popular brother. At his brother's urging he tries out for a school musical and wins the lead. But then he hears his brother bragging about he had gotten the younger brother the role. This causes the boy to drop out of the play, but continuing as the piano accompanist. In that role, he develops a crush on the female lead and love blossoms until the girl comes over to the house. The older brother belittles his brother and the girl shifts her affections. This drive the younger brother into a gang and eventually culminates in an act of revenge. Written by John Sacksteder <jsackste@bellsouth.net>

View all 11 credits

Awards

Semi-Finalist, ISA Emerging Screenwriters Action & Adventure Screenplay Competition
(2023)
Quarter-Finalist, ISA Emerging Screenwriters Suspense Screenplay Competition
(2023)
ISA Fast Track Fellowship - Second Round
(2022)
Semi-Finalist in the ISA Horror & Thriller + Genre Busting Screenplay Competition, 2021
(2021)
Semi-Finalist in the Emerging Screenwriters Suspense Screenplay Competition
(2021)
"The Legend of Yakatutch" - Best Scene Screenplay Reading - Toronto Festival for Horror, 2017
(2017)
Short Film "Claws" - Finalist, 2017 Mountain & Adventure Film Festival
(2017)
"The Legend of Yakatutch" Official Selection, Beverly Hills Film Festival Screenplay Competition
(2017)
"The Legend of Yakatutch" Quarter-Finalist in ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship
(2017)
Short film "Claws" Excellence Award - Depth of Field International Film Festival Competition
(2016)
"CLAWS" TRAILER - SEMI-FINALIST, BLOODY HORROR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, 2016
(2016)
"The Legend of Yakatutch" Screenplay - Finalist, Horror Film & Screenplay Festival, Toronto 2016
(2016)
BEST PROJECT & PITCH - INTERNATIONAL 3D STEREO MEDIA SUMMIT, BELGIUM http://www.seanfrancisellis.com
(2014)