David Bradburn grew up outside of Chicago in Elgin, Illinois. Here, he shot his first film during high school: a compilation of shorts and mock commercials that he hoped would be funny enough to make it to America’s Funniest Home Videos.
They weren’t.
25 years later, Bradburn has honed his craft and finds himself wearing the many different hats of the independent movie maker to see a project from script to screen. Serving as lead producer of the Von Steuben High School Film Festival for six years, Bradburn navigated the process of obtaining grants to bring filmmaking opportunities to Chicago high school students.
Whether he’s serving as writer, producer or director, Bradburn wants to do more than just make movies: he seeks partnerships with other local film makers to put Chicago on the map as the premier independent film making city. Bradburn’s directorial approach draws on his 17 years worth of experience as a high school English teacher: his leadership and focus inspire his crew’s motivation to realize his creative vision.
Bradburn’s films include “Home”, “The Night Before The Morning After”, “Superhero Me”, a finalist in the 2012 Beverly Hills Film Fest Writing Competition, My Brother’s Other Mother ¬– a documentary chronicling his younger brother’s search for his birth mother in the Dominican Republic, and “The Coming of Age” which was written by Northwestern University’s Film Department Chair, Dave Tolchinsky. Bradburn’s successful launch into Chicago’s independent film community most recently landed him assignments with Kenmore and FOX.
Bradburn holds a BA from Wheaton College, and an M. Ed from UIC, and hasn’t given up on his American Funniest Home Video dreams.
Through Air and Water
(
Documentary
by David Bradburn (Documentary)
Producer, Director Through Air and Water is the story of Will Forman, a WWII fighter pilot who after the war designed the first American deep sea submersible for the Navy, Deep Jeep. At 90 years old, Will is training to hike Angel’s Landing in Utah and is building a model sub to test a design he proposed 50 years ago. Will reflects upon his past and shares a unique perspective on life while looking ahead to his future.
The Coming of Age
(
Film (short)
by David Bradburn (Thriller)
Producer, Director Barbara, an old woman who loves to paint, is moved to a retirement home by her concerned daughter after Barbara falls one too many times. There, Barbara has to deal with a foreboding nurse, threatening residents, and a pair of locked double doors, behind which she hears frightening noises. She learns that's "the ward," where they put you if you don't behave. It seems like her daughter has checked her into a hall of nightmares until she meets fellow resident Minnie, who loves Barbara's paintings and to whom Barbara forms an immediate bond, almost like they're sisters. All seems well between the two new friends, until Barbara realizes there's more to Minnie and the ward than meets the eye. A different kind of coming of age.
After Love
(
Film
by Justin Todd (Drama, Romance and Thriller)
Editorial department Psychological drama about the aftermath of a broken relationship.
The Inside Track: The Rise of Empire
(
TV Movie
by Dave Bogosian (Biography)
Miscellaneous Crew
Home
(
Film (short)
by Fork the Man Productions, LLC (Drama)
Director, Writer, Producer The increased need for care of an aging parent causes a young successful couple's real problems to start to surface. As they struggle to express their discontent, they can find all the words except the ones they really need.
The Snow Man
(
Film (short)
by Erik Gulbrandsen (Horror, Sci-Fi and Thriller)
Camera and Electrical Department A seemingly innocuous panhandler hides a sinister secret...how is he spending his change and what is he making in the snow?
Out of District
(
Film (short)
by Fork the Man Productions, LLC
Director, Writer, Producer
The Night Before the Morning After
(
Film (short)
by Fork the Man Productions, LLC (Drama)
Director, Writer, Producer Unaware of her past, Anne’s friends do their best to help her get over a failed relationship. When the pressure becomes too much, Anne's repressed traumas explode in a cathartic moment where she makes a choice that is both horrific and heroic.
Night of the 1%
(
Film (short)
by David Bradburn (Drama, Horror and Thriller)
Producer, Director An earnest busboy dreams of striking gold playing the stock market so he can leave his menial job behind. But when sharp investing skills pay off, he's met with a horrifying consequence he never expected.
Superhero Me
(
Film (short)
by Fork the Man Productions, LLC (Drama)
Director, Producer, Co-writer Not your ordinary superhero movie-- no lycra, no costumes. Our hero is loved by his community for his heroic deeds, but he's not loved by himself. Watch as he attempts to reconcile his extra-ordinary gifts and his self-perceived social awkwardness. His journey leads him to have to decide who has the truest perception of him; himself or those around him.
My Brother's Other Mother
(
Documentary
by Fork the Man Productions, LLC
Director, Producer, Editor
Beverly HIlls Film Festival Screenwriting Finalist
(2012)
Silver Screen Award Nevada Film Festival
(2011)