FILM Jordan Holt creates Falling Squares to nurture local film community

BY DAWN MORGAN NEARY Special to The News-Post

Despite its seemingly negative connotation, the term “military brat” is how kids with parents in the the armed forces refer to themselves. Their childhoods are marked by frequent moves to various towns and military bases.

“There were a lot of transitions,” said former Army brat Jordan Holt, a filmmaker who’s helping to foster a strong film community in Frederick.

All those transitions tend to either make a person very outgoing or, in Holt’s case, extremely shy. Holt’s parents settled in Walkersville, and after Holt graduated from Walkersville High School in 2010, he stayed local and attended Hood College, where his confidence — and also his passion for film and video — began to flourish.

In a Hood screenwriting class, taught by Katherine Orloff, who has an extensive background in reporting on Hollywood, Holt’s confidence was significantly boosted when students laughed at the first comedy piece he had written. This response gave him permission, as he puts it, to move forward with filmmaking.

Frederick, he reached out and asked if they wanted an intern, and they agreed.

Holt started Falling Squares with Roberts and Burns one year later and credits Area 31 for being the inspiration.

The three founders created their first short film together as part of the 72 Film Fest, a contest in which creators make a movie from start to finish in 72 hours, and films are later screened at the Weinberg Center.

If You Go

Movie Knight is held from 7 to 10 p.m. on the first Friday of each month.

Bijou is held from 7 to 10 p.m. on the second, third and fourth Tuesday of each month at the FAC Art Center, 5 E. Second St., Frederick. To submit a film to Movie Knight, go to the submission form on the Falling Squares Instagram @movieknightofficial.

The FAC later asked Falling Squares if they’d like to host regular movie nights at their venue on East Second Street, and these Movie Knights now occur on the first Friday of each month.

“It’s been a fruitful partnership,” said FAC public art program manager Emily Holland. According to Holland, not as much film is being produced in this area as other art forms, but the scene is starting to blossom in Frederick.

Holt also curates Bijou, a themed movie night that occurs three times a month and screens arthouse films, at FAC Art Center.

“With Movie Knight, we encourage the filmmaker to be there, to get a little oneon-time with the people who made these great movies,” Holt said. “I even debuted one of my own films there. It was cool to be on that side.”

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Fast-forward to present day, and Holt has created Falling Squares, a media production company, with Trevor Vijay Roberts, Austin Burns and Brad Austin. Falling Squares coordinates film distribution and events, creates client videography and gaming, and produces film and TV projects under the name Black Fox Pictures.

Orloff “pushed me,” Holt said. “Without that class, I wouldn’t be doing this.”

Holt wasn’t feeling creatively fulfilled after graduating Hood in 2014. When he heard about now defunct Area 31, a film collective in downtown

Holt said 72 Film Fest organizers are “the top of the film community here,” and he has no interest in competing with the fest, but it only happens once a year, each fall, and Holt wanted to create more regular local filmmaker activities.

“There should be more opportunities,” Holt said. “I want to see it consistent: collaborations, networking, bigger and better projects. We also would like to see an expanded filmmaking community.”

Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Falling Squares team had decided to organize screenings of locally made films — especially for local filmmakers who have created something and are ready to show it outside of their friends and family. The idea is anyone can submit a film, from students to past 72 Film Fest par ticipants. They sat on the idea throughout the pandemic and finally hosted their first showcase, called Movie Knight, in February 2022. Community theater group The Fredericktowne Players provided the first screening space.

Falling Squares wanted to continue to host screenings but didn’t have a permanent location. For a while, they screened films at changing locations — Free Range Kids & Teens at FSK Mall, Frederick Soups and Comfort Foods in downtown Frederick and an outdoor screening at the former Frederick Junk Co., as well as the FAC Art Center, run by the Frederick Arts Council.

Justin Smothers, who’s based in Washington, D.C., wrote, directed and independently produced a film called “Brass” in 2021, which happened to feature actor Roberts, one of the cofounders of Falling Squares. Roberts, who relocated last month to Los Angeles, had told Smothers about the burgeoning film community in Frederick.

Smothers’ film screened at the March Movie Knight to an intimate audience, and he was in attendance. “When it’s a smaller audience, it feels like everybody is actually listening,” he said. “They asked a lot of questions, had a lot of comments. It gave me a warm feeling.”

Smothers said if you want to find a film community, you often have to dig for it. Luckily if you’re in Frederick, you can find a film community at the FAC Art Center every month.

Dawn Morgan Neary is a freelance journalist from Tampa, Florida, and currently resides in Mount Airy with her large blended family.

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Thursday April 6

Classes

“Frederick County’s Enduring Crossroads” Exhibit — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St., Frederick. The history of Frederick County has unfolded around its crossroads, from rural villages and towns to the city’s square corner. This exhibit explores our local crossroads through the themes of community, land, identity and persistence, and will feature artifacts from Heritage Frederick’s museum and archival collections as well as loaned artifacts from South Mountain Heritage Society in Burkittsville. $12, $10, $8. director@ FrederickHistory.org.

Building Stronger Communities through Community Solar Workshop with Neighborhood Sun — 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Common Market Co-op, 927 W. Seventh St., Frederick. Climate change science, impacts and solutions will be discussed to empower participants to take action at home and in their communities. Participants will leave with ideas, resources and contacts to take action and to further educate others. 301-663-3416. aharmon@ commonmarket.coop.

Etcetera

200 Monroe Restaurant — 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Monroe Center, 200 Monroe Ave., Frederick. Frederick Community College invites you to enjoy a gourmet dinner created by the talented students at 200 Monroe Restaurant! Reservations are required! For dine-in or carryout, visit opentable.com/200-Monroe.

$40-$44. HCTI@frederick.edu. opentable.com/200-monroe.

Introduction to Permaculture and the REED Center — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at MIddletown Branch Library, 101 Prospect St., Middletown. There is a 150-acre permaculture food forest in Middletown? Come meet Ben Friton, founder and director of the REED Center and Morning View Food Forest. Learn about permaculture, the work done by the REED Center and the events happening at the food forest. 301-600-7560. lgrackin@ frederickcountymd.gov. fcpl.org/calendar.

To Be Read: Lisa Scottoline — 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Exploration Commons, 50 E. Main St., Westminster. For adults. Lisa Scottoline is the No. 1 best-selling and Edgar Award-winning author of 35 novels. Her latest, “Loyalty,” is an emotional, actionpacked epic of love and justice, set during the rise of the Mafia in Sicily. $25. 443-293-3000. ask@carr.org. ccpl.librarymarket.com/event/scottoline.

Pour House Trivia — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Champion Billiards Sports Bar, 5205 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick. Come on out with the team and play some Pour House Trivia. 7 p.m. start. Extended Happy Hour from 4 to 8 p.m. 301-846-0089. frederickchampions.com/weekly-specials.

Maundy Thursday Service — 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Taylorsville United Methodist Church, 4356 Ridge Road, Mount Airy. Maundy Thursday Service with communion and foot washing. Come prepared if you want to participate in foot washing. 410-875-4101. taylorsvilleumcmd@gmail. com.

Family

“Crossroads” Companion Exhibits — 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at The C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Also exhibits at Thurmont and Brunswick libraries. At C. Burr Artz, visit the front exhibit cases to explore the Maryland Room’s collection related to the “Crossroads” exhibit at Rose Hill Manor Park, Frederick. 301-600-1630. fcpl.org.

Easter Egg Hunts — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Green Meadows Petting Farm, 10102 Fingerboard Road, Ijamsville. Hunts will be all day between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Hunt areas will be sectioned off according to age. No sign up is necessary. Participating children will get a Hunt Ticket with the purchase of a farm admission. Bring your own basket or buy one from us. $16 (credit) for ages 2 to 82. 301-865-9203. info@greenmeadowsevents.com. greenmeadowsevents.com/.

“Crossroads — Change in Rural America” Exhibit — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rose Hill Manor Park, 1611 N. Market St., Frederick. The exhibit looks at how local communities have adapted and changed as a result of the literal crossroads of waterways, roads and railroads, and the figurative crossroads of local and national events. Stories from the inhabitants of Rose Hill, other Frederick County Parks, and Main Streets will highlight these themes throughout the exhibit while exhibits through the county will highlight additional county stories. $5 adults, $4 seniors and kids. 301-6001650. recreater.com.

Gallery

The Hagerstown and Frederick Railway Exhibit — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St., Frederick. From 1896 until 1954, a network of interurban trolley lines were built linking communities across Frederick and Washington Counties. This exhibit presents the history of these electric railways and how they changed the landscape and communities of Frederick County. View historical photographs and artifacts from the trolleys and a map showing the various routes that comprised the overall system at its height of operation. $12, $10, $8. director@FrederickHistory. org.

Music

Salon Music Series — 7:30 p.m. at Shepherd University, 301 S. King St., Shepherdstown, W.Va. In Shipley Recital Hall. Featuring Shepherd faculty pianist Dr. Yu-Hsuan Liao, violinist Heather AustinStone and cellist Camilo Perez-Mejia for an exploration of lesser-known works for piano trio. shepherd.edu.

Tivoli Discovery Series: Ashley Ray — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at New Spire Arts, 15 W. Patrick St., Frederick. The Tivoli Discovery Series is the pay-what-youwant series featuring emerging artists. This month features Ashley Ray, who has established herself as one of Nashville’s most nuanced voices, chasing down critical acclaim not only as a solo artist, but also as an in-demand songwriter for Little Big Town, Lori McKenna, Lady A’s Charles Kelley, and others. $10. 301-600-2868. bhiller@ cityoffrederickmd.gov.

SU Salon Series: Piano and Strings Music — 7:30 p.m. at Shepherd University, 301 S. King St., Shepherdstown, W.Va. In Frank Arts Center, W.H. Shipley Recital Hall. Features three faculty members in an exploration of some intriguing piano trio repertoire that expresses our sense of time and how a season, a day, or just a morning can last both an instant and a lifetime. shepherd.edu.

Outdoors

Frederick Bird Club Meeting — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Homewood, 7407 Willow Road, Frederick. Randy Robinson of the National Conservation Training Center will give a closeup look at the fascinating lives of nesting bald eagles and their young offspring. He will also provide background on the history, habitat, biology and behaviors of the American bald eagle.

Friday April 7

Classes

Maryland Prehistory: Biggs Ford Site and Beyond — 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at

Middletown Public Library, 101 Prospect St., Middletown. Through an examination of art and artifacts, Lauren Lippiello and Hettie Ballweber will provide an overview of Prehistoric Maryland, including an examination of the Biggs Ford Site. 301-600-7560. lgrackin@ frederickcountymd.gov. fcpl.org/calendar.

Etcetera

PEEPshow — 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. at TownMall of Westminster, 400 N. Center St., Westminster. Daily through April 10; 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. This sweet event features numerous marshmallow masterpieces, including sculptures, dioramas, mosaics and even videos, all crafted from or inspired by Peeps. 410-848-7272. carrollcountyartscouncil.org.

Good Friday Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Jackson Chapel United Methodist Church, 5609 Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick. Until 6 p.m. or sold out. $16 dinner includes fish, mac ‘n’ cheese or potato salad, green beans, applesauce, cornbread, cake, iced tea or water. 301-694-7315. jacksonchapel@comcast.net. jacksonchapelumc.org.

Family

Easter Egg Hunts — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Green Meadows Petting Farm, 10102 Fingerboard Road, Ijamsville. Hunts will be all day between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Hunt areas will be sectioned off according to age. No sign up is necessary. Participating children will get a Hunt Ticket with the purchase of a farm admission. Bring your own basket or buy one from us. $16 (credit) for ages 2 to 82. 301-865-9203. info@greenmeadowsevents.com. greenmeadowsevents.com.

Music

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band — 8 p.m. at Baltimore Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore. Grand opening performance in the newly renovated arena. Tickets and concert time TBA July 26. verifiedfan.ticketmaster.com/springsteen.

Performer

MET Comedy Night: The Comedy Pigs — 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 30th anniversary season! Catch them every first Friday and Saturday through June. Ages 18 and older. $15. 301-694-4744. zcallis @marylandensemble.org.

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