Mike Taylor, right, with two cast members from his debut feature-length film, "There is a Monster."
A photographer named Jack keeps seeing a thing he calls a monster. He tells people it’s real, that it’s attacking him. His wife Carol and best friend David wonder if maybe he’s losing his mind — because on one else can see it. But the damage being done to his body is very real.
The feature-length film, Alexandria resident Mike Taylor's first, is having its premiere screening on Monday, March 20 at the AMC Shirlington 7. Taylor wrote the screenplay, produced, directed and edited the movie.
It's a medical mystery wrapped in a drama inspired in part by something a family member went through. Taylor was born in Alexandria and grew up in Alexandria and Arlington.
The film was shot primarily in Alexandria (and one location in Great Falls). Local shooting locations include Southside 815, the Bradlee Medical Building and David Wiegold Photography in the West End. Filming occurred in late 2021 and early 2022.
Several of the actors are local, as well. The lead is played by Joey Collins (Arlington), and supporting actors include Kelly Schwartz (Arlington), Marcellus Shepard (Maryland), Jesse Milliner (Maryland) and Ena O'Rourke (Denver, Colorado).
Taylor's other producing credits including producing two films for Showtime and a Cable Ace Award nomination. He has also produced many commercials, including TV campaigns for the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. In 2005, he started my own production company, Potomac Pictures, and directed national, regional and local television campaigns for the Veterans Health Administration, Navy Federal Credit Union, Virginia Tourism and others. He shut down Potomac Pictures during the pandemic, but has since wrote, shot and directed two short films. Love, Covid Style was featured in the 2021 Alexandria Film Festival.
