Split Tooth Media Presents: The Films of Frank V. Ross

Frank V. Ross is one of the most frustrating cases of a filmmaker who can be called a “best-kept secret.” This series is an attempt to let the secret out.

The Films of Frank V. Ross is the first comprehensive study of one of the 21st Century’s great unsung American filmmakers. Split Tooth Media will be releasing six essays, each focused on one of Ross’ films. Having been granted unprecedented access to primary sources — including Ross’ personal annotated shooting scripts, hand-drawn storyboards and unavailable early films — these essays delve into the mostly untold histories of Ross’ productions and the inspiration behind each film, while offering substantial analysis of Ross’ style as it has developed from the scrappy DIY features of his early days to his more restrained, melancholic contemporary work.

Accompanying the essays is a three-part collection of interviews I conducted with Ross, compiled from three years’ worth of phone and email correspondence. Throughout these interviews, Ross is very candid about his life and filmmaking. He reflects on his working methods, his creative developments and on shooting in his hometown of Westmont, Illinois. He provides practical insight into the challenges of making films independently in America and discusses his relationships to collaborators, including filmmakers Joe Swanberg, David Lowery and Mike Gibisser, musician John Medeski, frequent leading man Tony Baker and actors Allison Latta, Rebecca Spence, James Ransone and Natasha Lyonne.

Above all, this series is a celebration of a truly independent spirit. Below is a table of contents that will be updated as essays and interviews are published. My aim is to demonstrate how Ross’ work has continued to defy easy definitions and generic categorizations. His films challenge critics and viewers to look a little closer than we may be accustomed to — thwarting our attempts to settle into casual viewing methods. I hope this series will act as an introduction not just for new audiences to Ross’ work, but for young filmmakers, and that his films can be guiding lights for the next generation of artists with an interest in breaking the routine to really show us something new.

Purchase physical copies of Ross’ work from his website

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