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Central to the plot is the relationship between a young boy (Brandon) and his Grandad Mac. The two bond over the course of a summer as the youngster grows more and more curious about Mac's rodeo past. How could this guy who is known for relentless tickling and occasional troublemaking (especially with Mom and Grandma) be a real-life cowboy? Yes, Calf Rope is essentially a coming of age story; unabashedly heavy on nostalgia. The beauty of the short is how well it is executed by Bradley and Sarah Hawkins, the father/daughter co-founders of their own film production company, Dadley Productions. They have gathered some impressive talent. Lyndsey Hinkle's 1960s production design is impeccable. Director of Photography, Sofia Monzerratt, is equally adept at capturing action-packed rodeo sequences, as she is tender moments between generations. Ms. Monzerratt's camerawork, Bradley Hawkins' direction and Ryan Geesaman's editing of the calf roping and cattle auction scenes, in particular, are exceptional. The casting is spot on. The connection between Lukas Barnett as Brandon and Gorman Ruggiero as Mac is clear the very first time he sets those adoring eyes upon his Grandad. The screenplay (by Jake Stetler and Bradley Hawkins) is equally funny and poignant.

Ultimately it doesn't matter if you are a cowboy at heart, Calf Rope is a powerful tale about legacy, love, and what ties people together.

The concept behind Filling In is part "Breaking Bad", part buddy picture, part caper, part fish out of water story, and part comedy for the whole family. Tall order! Yet, this short film manages to pull it off and leaves you wanting more.

From the opening scenes, Director Bradley Hawkins, Editor Ryan Geesaman, and Cinematographer Brian Shaub have the audience guessing … what exactly is this "grizzled vet" luring the new guy into? I won't spoil the reveal, but let's just say it's a comedy and it manages to get your imagination going. The music, the shot choices, the pacing, the production design and the attention to detail (from tiny props to complicated visual effects) all build to an entertaining result.

Credit should also be given to the lead actors. Karl Holtz fully sells his role as a grizzled, restless journeyman and mentor with a longstanding bar tab. Jared Odrick plays Kevin, the gentle giant and reluctant newbie. Mr. Odrick embodies the part well – completely playing against his tough guy image. You can't help but root for his character and I would love to see Odrick fill in for many more roles in this magical world.

Which leads me to the script itself. The characters and set pieces created by writers Peter Fenton, Ausin Haitos and Bradley Hawkins are delightful. The execution and promise of this film as concept are inventive and imaginative. Again without giving too much plot away, the cleverness of Kevin's missions and the purpose of his prize are handled with great comedic timing. The montage of uses in the field is laugh out loud funny and unpredictable. Also a delight was Alex Pires as the agency's secretary, Patrick. Improvised and/or scripted, Mr. Pires totally steals the last act and introduces us to new directions for Kevin's future. Again, it would be great to see where else the creators could take this open ended story.

Dadley Productions last film, Roller Coaster, took many winning turns on the festival circuit. I fully expect to see Filling In do the same and take home some well deserved awards this year!

Actor Bradley Hawkins gives a standout performance in Lobster Cage - a thoroughly engaging short film that tackles the large subjects of redemption and our place in this crazy world. The story centers on the relationship between a death row inmate and the officer assigned to carry out his execution. A cartoonish warden and stereotypically jaded policeman round out cast - and stand in stark contrast to the main characters. Writer Sean Geisterfer's script works best when our focus is away from their antics and we are introduced to a reflective prisoner (the previously mentioned Hawkins) and an everyman officer (played by Sean McConaghy). These characters are much more deeply layered, and provide excellent material for the actors playing them. Sean McConaghy's turn as the rookie guard has a perfectly empathetic tone as we see him struggle with his role in ending a person's life. Director/Editor Justin Feinman wisely lets us see Frank, the prisoner, through the guard's eyes. Also, Cinematographer Arthur Oganesyan introduces us to Frank quietly in his cage and then slowly removes the environment and bars holding him back as we see him speaking up, where there are no barriers. Bradley Hawkins plays Frank with complete honesty - inviting us to not question his guilt, but society's solution. As he reflects on his lack of dignity and questions the outside system that put him in prison, Mr. Hawkins peels back his character's layers subtly and superbly – delivering the short's best dialogue in one, largely uncut shot. Lobster Cage succeeds in being an ambitious film that challenges its audience and showcases an engrossing performance from Bradley Hawkins.