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Matthew Rimmer

Co-Writer/Lead Actor, "The Drunk"

www.matthewrimmer.com

When asked about writing the original play, "Duel" which the film's screenplay was adapted from, Matthew Rimmer has been known to say, "I created the story originally for me as an actor. It had to have action, be set in a fantastical place, and have a compelling story with a dramatic emotional end that takes the audience by surprise."

Thus, the original theatrical play "Duel" was born on a plane ride from Los Angeles to Rimmer's home town of Marietta, GA in the Winter of 1999. "I wrote it after members of Troy Rep Theatre Company in Hollywood asked for original pieces to produce. It wasn't until a few years later that I would let the Elephant Theatre Company in Los Angeles read my piece in an open workshop for new material." It was at this reading that Dominic Cerniglio first heard the play and talked to Matt about making it into a short movie. More than three years later, they got together and began talking in earnest about making "Duel" into a film.

Given his love for the theater, Matt was slightly disappointed that "Duel" was never performed in a live theater environment. He appears consoled, however, that he was able to realize his dream of performing the role he had written for himself in the film. He smiles proudly, "It's a pretty good film, I guess... But it's still not theater."