Gramps

Boris Schaarschmidt

Boris Schaarschmidt is a director, producer, and writer renowned for his 15 award-winning short films, which have been showcased at film festivals worldwide. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Cinematography from the University of Applied Sciences in Dortmund, Germany, and a Master’s degree in Directing from the American Film Institute (AFI) in Los Angeles, USA.
Currently, Boris is engaged in various creative projects and works as a freelance film consultant, contributing to a range of productions. Additionally, he shares his expertise as a directing instructor at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles and Elon University, inspiring the next generation of filmmakers.

Director Statement

At the New York Film Academy, we’ve introduced a unique approach, pairing Cinematography students with experienced directing instructors for intensive Cine Practicums lasting up to three days.
Working professional cinematographers instruct each shoot, while myself and other established directing faculty members provide creative direction, including scene writing, casting, and project production.
These projects offer me a valuable chance to push creative boundaries and allow students to collaborate with seasoned directors. It’s a privilege to be part of this dynamic educational experience. GRAMPS is the result of one of these workshops and was shot over a single day at the La Tuna Canyon Movie Ranch. I’ve always been fascinated by the story of the “Brandner Kaspar and Death”, a classic Bavarian folktale about a trickster who cheats Death by getting him drunk the night he comes to claim him. I wanted to interpret this tale in my own way, giving it a modern twist.