This short film is the brainchild of writer/director David Toth who also acted as cinematographer and editor. Armed with a Blackmagic 4K, a rented lens, a rickety tripod and his 11-year old niece, David set out to tell a story that was within his reach, both literally and figuratively.
Hoping to expand on his first foray into local folklore, 2024’s STRANGE INHERITANCE, he was inspired by IRVING’S LEGEND, which master storyteller Jonathan Kruk performed at Washington Irving’s Sunnyside estate.
It was October 2024, and during the post-performance family dinner, David kept turning over what he had just seen. What if he were to update the Legend and bring it in front of a contemporary film audience?
A lot has changed since the horse and buggy Colonial times. A headless rider would be more likely to roam the countryside on an e-bike, rather than a horse…What if a descendant of the Van Tassel family is pursued by a vengeful rider throughout generations…What if a young girl turns out to be more resourceful than expected?
And what if the film could be told with visuals that would do the Hudson Valley justice and includes chase scenes despite its meager budget?
Filmed over 10 non-consecutive weekends with lots of love, tears and sweat (and temperatures ranging from freezing to sweltering), the story is an attempt to pull an American Legend into the 21st century.
