John Schwert
John Schwert (born November 20, 1975) is a film and commercial director and producer born in Fredonia, New York and owner/operator of "Fourth Ward Productions". He is represented by "Trailer Park Films" for Canadian commercials and content/media creation. John Schwert is related to Pius L. Schwert. Early life. John Schwert attended Fredonia High School and earned a bachelor's degree from St. John Fisher College in 1997. From 1998 to 2004 he worked in corporate marketing and advertising and in 2004 he received his master's degree from Queens University of Charlotte. In 2004, Schwert started  a production company, "Fourth Ward Productions", shifting his focus from corporate marketing and advertising to the production of films, commercials, marketing communications, and various media content creation. Films. Past projects. In 2004, Schwert adapted, directed, and produced his first feature-length motion picture "Among Brothers". Among Brothers is based on the actual events surround the death of Jennifer Morgan, who was murdered in 1994 at Francis Marion University in South Carolina. The entire film was financed by a second mortgage on Schwert's home in North Carolina. Among Brothers premiered at the Palm Beach International Film Festival and went on  to play 17 film festivals picking up a grassroots fan-base along the way. Among Brothers was released domestically by Vanguard Cinema and internationally by Oasis International and in May 2007, Among Brothers and John Schwert were the basis for a two-hour "Dateline NBC" special titled "Scenes From A Murder" based on Jennifer Morgan's still unsolved murder. While playing the film festival circuit with Among Brothers, Schwert began writing his follow-up feature In/Significant Others. "In/Significant Others" is a multi-narrative drama that navigates through the different lives of one city's residents, each of whom  is connected to the same local homicide investigation. The ensemble cast of characters include an Iraq War vet returned home to an emotionally disturbed wife, a new father living in the shadow of a successful brother, a sister caught up in a web of addiction, and a cameraman who attempts to exploit the reality behind all of their stories, or at least his version of them. The search for truth within In/Significant Others becomes a life and death struggle as the subtle manipulation of all relationships is exposed. In/Significant Others won the top awards at the Houston Worldfest  as well as the Boston, Charlotte, and Mammoth Film Festivals in 2009, with additional screenings at over 20 international film festivals in 2009 and 2010. Planned projects. Schwert is currently developing a film: "Southbound Crossing" based on the screenplay by Thomas Torrey. Other projects. In addition to directing and producing for his production company "Fourth Ward Productions", "John Schwert" also operates as a unit production manager, line producer and location manager for projects throughout the United States. Schwert also writes, produces and directs the comedy short film series "George and Monty" for Funny or Die. Awards and nominations. Boston Film  Festival: Charlotte Film Festival Mammoth Film Festival: WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival: WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival: