Blank Canvas follows Enrique, a struggling artist, who grapples with isolation and financial instability while trying to rebuild his life. After being cut off from his family and living in a stark apartment without power, he slowly finds solace in his artwork. With the help of his brother Eddie, Enrique begins to take steps towards self-improvement, but his past continues to haunt him, especially when he is threatened by dangerous creditors. Despite facing setbacks, Enrique finds inspiration through small moments of connection, including his interaction with his young nephew, Romey, and a chance meeting with Destiny, a call girl. As he confronts his personal demons and attempts to showcase his art, Enrique discovers that being an artist isn’t defined by recognition or success, but by the act of creation itself.

In 2019, I had an itch to start my next film. It had been two years since we were in production on "Shut Up, You!". My brother-in-law, Ruben, who has been a part of my short films, came to me and wanted to do something. Anything. I knew this project had to be a feature. But my longest film was 30 minutes. So this was going to be a challenge. I really wanted this project to showcase my vision as an artistic director. But who knows their vision. I've been directing short films and had somewhat of a style but the cinematography, although good, never felt like it was how I saw it in production. So I needed to shoot this to show that. In order to do that I had to learn how to use a camera. So I did. It took a lot of work. Since I was going to do production all on my own, my brother-in-law and I agreed to only use practical lightning. So we had to get creative.

How was I going to start shooting without a story? All my stories take about a year to write because they have to be perfect. But that itch was getting too be to scratch. I told myself, I've been studying story/screenplays for about ten years now, and if I cannot write this off the cuff without thousands of hours of "research" I shouldn't be doing this at all. I took events from mine and Ruben's life as a starting point.

So I took the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" approach; which is to do a basic outline and all the dialogue will be improv. The next thing to do is schedule the first shoot. Since there was no script, we decided to shoot this linearly in case we miss something we can go back and add to it. We both agreed to work on this for about a year and see what we came up with.

We shot only on weekend and so far it was going great. In the first five minutes, there was no dialogue and no outside characters. I took this dramatic turn where he was kicked out of his sister's house and was living on his own for the first time. An external conflict is how would he deal with this in his 40s. This is somewhat true to what really happened in real life. One of the biggest hurdles we've had is that his new apartment had no electricity. He was a huge fan of candles and that didn't bother him. This added to the film in cinematography and incorporated it into the story.

We had a scene where the main character calls a call-girl. We did the scene and it was good, but after watching Steven Spielberg's commentary during the week, he said we always need to see what the subject is looking at. So I hired an actress to play a small part of the call-girl that the main character is looking at through the window. When she arrived I asked her if she wanted to do some improv and ad-lib and if she would like to extend her part. She was excited and came up with dialogue. I then extended her part and added my son to the cast list. I scheduled another shoot where the two characters meet in a laundry mat and the main character asks her out.

I outlined a new version, now creating two storylines. As dates were being scheduled co-vid 19 happened so production was at a standstill. I waiting eight months and due to the scare, I re-outlined focusing back on the main character's storyline. Following the beat-sheet structure, I added a bunch of scenes and added more cast members. With the pandemic, there was only one character on set with the main actor plus myself.

Now with determination to get to the finish line, I wrote the script for the cast members and scheduled all the shoot dates in advance.

One of the reasons I wanted to do this project was to practice what it takes to make a feature. Also to show it can be done on a zero budget and with no crew. What I did learn is that if one takes on this challenge, make sure you have a script because doing a production with no crew and budget it's really hard not to know where the story is taking you without one.

Clint Horvath's Blank Cavas is a wonderful film for budding filmmakers to watch. A jazz filled journey through one man's life, Blank Canvas shows that it is possible to make the feature film of one's dreams. One of the most interesting aspects of Clint's film is his use of natural lighting.

The protagonist Enrique, is living in an apartment without electricty. So Clint lights the place with a multitude of candles. This practical lighting adds a unique sense of contrast and warmth that makes for some of the best shots of the film. One scene even makes some comedic use of the candles, as Enrique, in order to hide from a date proceeds to blow out all the candles one by one. This scene in addition to being one of the most funny, is also one of the best shot. It goes to show that beautiful shots can be made, even with little to no budget.

Plain daylight serves as another source of lighting for Clint, as Enrique and other characters are often contrasted with large swaths of white sunlight. Many scenes which may have felt plain, were made to feel more artistic by exploiting sunlight. For instance when Enrique enters the art gallery the 2nd time he emerges from a collection of out of focus sunlight. He the steps into a close up, where he is backlit and contrasted with the light he emerged from. This shot takes the simple action of walking into an art gallery and makes it interesting.

Later on in the film, Enrique stands in front of the same gallery and begins to have an inspirational chat about art with a homeless man. This scene really gets at the heart of the film, all while being lit with practical lights. Clint frames both men with tight close - ups and litters the background with out of focus street lights. This creates a beauty that directly correlates with what the homeless man and Enrique are chatting about. To be considered an artist you don't have to get your work into an art gallery, you must merely love what you do and strive to create. Clint created art with this scene, even though it was not filmed in the typical artistically staged way. Instead he used the practical lights and became as creative as possible. It seems he took his script's advice to heart.

Filmmakers should take a look at Blank Canvas and use it as inspiration to create their own projects. If one man with just practical lights can make a feature film, then so can someone else.

Blank Canvas is a deeply moving and introspective drama that expertly explores themes of personal redemption, the power of art, and the struggle for self-worth. Written by Clint Horvath, the screenplay stands out for its rich character development and emotional depth, taking the audience on a poignant journey through the life of Enrique, a man at rock bottom trying to rebuild his life from the ashes.

What makes Blank Canvas so compelling is its focus on the quiet, often painful moments of introspection that drive Enrique's transformation. His struggle to regain his artistic identity, while also confronting the consequences of his past, is portrayed with sincerity and subtlety. The narrative never rushes the process of change; instead, it takes the time to explore Enrique's emotional landscape, making his eventual triumph feel earned and genuine.

The screenplay also excels in its secondary characters, particularly Eddie and Rosa, who provide a grounded emotional support system for Enrique as he navigates his way back to stability. The interactions between Enrique and his family are tender and real, creating a sense of warmth and hope amidst the chaos of his life. The contrast between Enrique's artistic dreams and the gritty reality of his financial and personal struggles makes for a compelling juxtaposition that drives the heart of the story.

Another standout feature is the way Blank Canvas portrays the transformative power of art. Through Enrique's paintings, we see how creativity can be both a reflection of one's inner turmoil and a potential source of healing. The screenplay is rich with visual metaphors that highlight the therapeutic value of art in helping Enrique reclaim his identity and sense of purpose.

Horvath’s writing is beautifully paced, offering a mix of quiet reflection and moments of emotional tension that keep the audience engaged throughout. The themes of family, forgiveness, and self-discovery are handled with nuance and compassion, making Blank Canvas a truly heartfelt exploration of the human condition.

In conclusion, Blank Canvas is a standout screenplay that showcases Horvath's ability to create complex, relatable characters and craft a story that resonates on an emotional level. It is a testament to the power of personal growth and the ability to transform one’s life through art, and it is sure to leave audiences both inspired and moved.