"Surprisingly funny, undeniably intelligent...a message about ultimate morality runs a little deeper than first impressions might suggest and Toss of the Coin suggests a comedic talent on the rise."
--Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
TOSS is a twelve-minute 35mm short film shot using a highly skilled crew of award-winning, Ohio-based filmmakers, a very talented cast and utilizes some of the most state-of-the-art digital effects.The story revolves around emmissaries from heaven and hell who arrive upon the untimely death of a middle-aged man. Finding they both have authority to collect his soul and realizing that consequences will ensue if either returns without it, a game of chance is played to determine an outcome.
This film is a dark, ironic comedy that explores the concepts of what good and evil are and just how easily our expectations of them are counfounded. It also makes light of one of humanity's worst nightmares: that bureaucracy, pettiness and deception are not only of this world.
Steve Salge....................Angel
Morgan Lund...............Demon
Reg Land.....................Tubber
Written, Directed and Edited by.......................Patrick Steele
Original Story........................................................Bart Everson
Produced by.......................................................Ann Rotolante
Director of Photography/Digital FX......................Adam White
Makeup FX.........................................................John Pinkerton
Lighting Design.......................................................Mark Lyons
35mm (1.85:1), color, Dolby SR
Running Time: 12 minutes
Released: 2003
Currently playing the festival circuit. TOSS has played in competition at the following fests:
Winner, "BEST HORROR FEATURE OR SHORT FILM", Creepfest 2004
Honorable Mention: 2003 Festival of Fantastic Films (Manchester, England)
Arizona International Film Festival (finalist in two competitions: short film and comedy short)
Fantastisk Film Festival (Malmo, Sweden)
NYC Independent Horror Film Festival 2003
Shockerfest 2004
Coney Island Short Film Fest 2003
ScreamfestLA 2003
San Antonio Underground Film Festival
Shriekfest 2003
Walk on the Wild Side 2004
Horrorama 2003 & 2004
Cinemaniacs/Ripon College Film Festival 2005
Ohio Short Film/Video Showcase (featured as part of Ohio media artist's retrospective)
This film was partially funded via a grant from
Culture Works
"Share the Arts"