WEST CHESTER, PA: Where Filmmaking and Quirkiness Collide
In a shocking turn of events that’s definitely not a plot twist straight out of a rom-com, local filmmaker Michael Zolomij has decided to grace downtown West Chester with yet another gem of cinematic brilliance: “Becoming The Man: A Prequel.” This eight-minute comedy is allegedly set in the hallowed grounds of Hop Fidelity record store—because who doesn’t want to rescue their local record shop from the brink of irrelevance?
Connecting Through Catastrophe
The film serves as a prequel to Zolomij’s previous masterpiece, “RIP: Kevin The Man,” which was a runner-up for the Audience Choice Award at the West Chester Film Festival. Clearly, the only thing harder than saying the title aloud is Kevin’s life in this prequel, where our not-so-heroic protagonist desperately seeks connection while sitting in the emotional equivalent of a beige wall. Spoiler alert: he doesn’t actually find it in Spotify playlists.
Meet the Return Squad
Shot entirely in downtown West Chester—where hipsters roam free and vinyl records are still somehow relevant—the cast is back like a boomerang. Kevin Suplee, Byron Greatorex, Michael Zolomij, Scott Derby, and Rob Frankel return, while newcomer and local set designer Dan Porto swoops in like your mom when she has a coupon. What could be more exciting than watching people in a record store? Perhaps watching paint dry, but let’s not get into that.
A Comedy Rooted in Reality
“This film is about finding your joy when everything feels lost,” Zolomij sagely declared, perhaps after lifting a few too many boxes of expired vinyl. It’s a character study wrapped in community spirit—or as we like to call it, “The Essence of Drowning in Nostalgia.”
Micro-Budget, Maximum Sarcasm
Continuing with his commitment to micro-budget filmmaking—because why pay for anything when you can just cast your friends—Zolomij proves that meaningful stories can absolutely emerge without Hollywood’s financial fist. Why hire a big-name actor when you can just ask your neighbor who makes pottery on the weekend? It’s all about the essence of art, folks!
Mark Your Calendars for the Premiere
Mark your calendars (or your vinyl sleeves, if that’s your vibe) because “Becoming The Man: A Prequel” will premiere at Hop Fidelity on January 2 at 8 p.m. The film has also been submitted to the West Chester Film Festival and the Film Glance Film Festival in Philadelphia. Fingers crossed someone remembers to bring popcorn!
A Cultural Cornerstone and a Last-Ditch Effort
Hop Fidelity, located at 121 W. Market Street, isn’t just a record store; it’s apparently a center for artistic exploration and self-discovery—whatever that means. It continues to be the breathing ground for Zolomij’s quirky wanderings into the absurdities of friendship and humor. Here’s hoping they can keep the lights on while he tackles the complex layers of the human condition.
For updates on the rollercoaster of vexing yet entertaining happenings in Chester County, follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN. Because if local independent films are a thing, then surely we should all be part of this joyous ride!
