Award-winning film company to premiere first feature at Palace Theatre in Hamburg

Matt Lorentz and Bobby Gott were working for Regal Cinemas in Orchard Park when they realized they shared a common dream: they did not want to work at the movies. Instead, they wanted to create them.

With the help of other talented writers and actors, Idle Entertainment was formed in 2007. Since then, the local film production company has won numerous awards and accolades, including winning best film, best screenplay and best use of location in the 2010 Buffalo 48-Hour Film Project. Their film, titled “48 Hours to Live,” went on to place 16th overall internationally and was screened at the Cannes Film Festival.

“We were competing with cities such as Los Angeles, London and Toyko,” said Gott, who added that the experience was surreal.

Idle Entertainment is now in the process of wrapping up its first feature film, “BOYD,” which will premiere at the Hamburg Palace Theatre on Saturday, April 7 at 3:30 p.m.

Set during the Northeast blackout of 2003, the comedy revolves around three friends, whose dreary and unfulfilled lives are shook up when their old high school pal Judd comes back into town.

“The movie is about the moment in people’s lives when they realize they are responsible for their own happiness,” said Lorentz, who wrote, directed and produced the film.

The reason behind the movie’s title is a secret.

“I have people asking me about the title every day, but you will have to watch to find out,” Lorentz said. He teased that along with the meaning behind the title, “BOYD” will also contain many surprises for the audience’s enjoyment.

Moviegoers can also look forward to spotting many local sites in the film, including Chestnut Ridge Park, the Erie County Fairgrounds, the McKinley Mall and Town House bar and restaurant in Hamburg.

“The local community was amazing to us,” said Chris Marriott, who stars in “BOYD” as the reckless Judd. Marriott said that the McKinley Mall and Town House graciously turned off their power and relocated customers, so that the crew had ample space to shoot scenes. The Erie County Fair not only agreed to let Idle Entertainment film at the fair, but it provided the crew with an escort and golf carts.

“If we made this movie anywhere else, the budget would have been astronomical,” Lorentz said.

Marriott agreed, adding “This is truly the ‘city of good neighbors.’”

Though the cast and crew involved with Idle Entertainment all have day jobs, this is more to them than just a hobby.

“I cannot imagine doing this just for the fun of it,” said Lorentz. “It’s not like building a ship in a bottle.” He added that he is grateful to his cast and crew, who made lots of sacrifices in order to make “BOYD” possible.

It was Idle Entertainment’s level of commitment and professionalism that drew actor Kyle Scritchfield to work with the production company.

“I was cynical at first,” said Scritchfield, who was swayed after watching one of Idle’s short films. “I couldn’t believe how good it was,” he said. Scritchfield plays Lenny, an aimless college dropout in “BOYD.”

Gott believes that Idle Entertainment’s success lies in the group’s many talents and openness to one another’s ideas.

“We have a multitude of different skills we bring to the table and we all work well together,” he said.

After its premiere at The Palace, Idle Entertainment hopes to enter “BOYD” in film festivals. Though optimistic for the movies’s success, the film crew agree that money or fame would be fringe benefits.

“We make films for the love of it,” said Gott, who added that movies have the ability to take one’s dreams and turn it into reality.

To watch the trailer of “BOYD,” visit www.boydmovie.com. To purchase tickets to the film’s premiere or to learn more about Idle Entertainment projects, search “Idle Entertainment” on Facebook.