Will Canon

Filmmaker Will Canon made a name for himself with his first feature, an independently produced thriller called "Brotherhood." The film is based on "Roslyn," a short that Canon made while studying film as an undergrad at New York University. Canon continued to make short films after graduation, including a comedy called "Doctor Muffins" and the drama "Youngster" in 2004. Gradually, Canon returned to the short "Roslyn," which is about hazing in college fraternities, and decided to turn it into a feature-length movie. Canon wrote the script with longtime collaborator Doug Simon, and they expanded on the characters and delved into what happens after a hazing initiation goes awry. Although the project was briefly set up at a film studio, Canon became uncomfortable when changes to the script and tone were requested. Feeling like those changes would damage the power of the story, Canon and the producers of "Brotherhood" instead financed and made the movie themselves. The cast included Trevor Morgan, Lou Taylor Pucci, and Jon Foster. When the movie premiered at the 2010 SXSW Film Festival, it made a big impact and won the Audience Award. "Brotherhood" continued to garner critical praise and film festival awards as word about the movie spread.