Sean Mannion – Brooklyn Based Filmmaker

Sean Mannion has been producing films, videos, and podcasts since 2008. His work has screened at The Art of Brooklyn Film Festival, The Big Apple Film Festival, Cucalorus, IndieWorks, The New York Television Festival, Channel 101 NY, The Long Island International Film Expo, IndieBoom!, The Ax Wound Film Festival, The DUMBO Film Festival, The Underground Film Festival, The Brooklyn Short Film Festival, The New Filmmaker’s New York Series, ZedFest, and more. Since 2016 he has collaborated with fellow filmmaker Nicole Solomon under the production company name 4MileCircus. In addition to his film, video, and podcast work, Sean is a media educator who has taught media making skills in a wide variety of contexts working with BRIC Arts Media, Manhattan Neighborhood Network, The NYC Center for Media Education, New York Film Academy, The Patton Veterans’ Project, the School of Visual Arts and more.

Select Film and Video Projects

Meme is the first feature film from Sean Mannion. It is available to watch now through AppleTV, Vimeo, and more.

Meme won “Best Narrative Feature” at the Art of Brooklyn Film Festival.

Synopsis: Jennifer, an independent designer disappointed in her stalled relationship and career, discovers a surreal mashup videotape, labeled “Meme,” among a friend’s VHS collection. She goes in search of Meme’s creator, tracking down people who appear on the tape to gain greater insight into what it is and why it exists. As she pursues the creator of the tape she takes greater control of other aspects of her life including her relationship, difficult clients, and a drinking problem that increasingly interferes with her life.

“Walk of Shame” is a music video directed by Sean Mannion for the band Late Cambrian. The song was used for the opening titles of Meme and footage from the film appears in the video. The video is available on the Late Cambrian YouTube page.

Late Cambrian is: John Wlaysewski, Olive Hui, Matthew Milligan, Ben Weiss, Eric Zeender Future Snacks is out now on all streaming platforms. https://www.instagram.com/latecambrian/

“Beneath the Black Moon” is a horror comedy short written & directed by Sean Mannion as a ‘film-within-a-film’ for his feature film Meme. The full version of Beneath the Black Moon is available on YouTube.

Synopsis: The best parts of VHS horror film Beneath the Black Moon recorded from one bad VHS tape onto another bad VHS tape.

“Reveal” is an animated horror comedy short film written by Nicole Solomon and Co-Directed by Sean Mannion and Nicole Solomon. Reveal is screening at festivals in 2023 and available via the 4MileCircus Patron.

Synopsis: A pregnant woman senses something is amiss when her sister throws her an unwanted baby shower.

“Rubbery Ducky” is a short film written & directed by Sean Mannion. It is available on YouTube.

Synopsis: Tara finds a rubber duck on the street after a fight with Rory.

“It’s Normal” is a horror short written by Sean Mannion and directed by Nicole Solomon. “It’s Normal” is available on Vimeo.

Synopsis: A young woman checks in on a friend from her grief support group and learns that her changing world may be even scarier than it appears on the surface.

“Time Signature” is a short sci fi film crowdfunded and shot in 2014. It is available on Vimeo.

Synopsis: Danielle befriends her favorite guitarist, Astra, backstage at a concert. The two women head out on an impromptu road trip and Astra reveals that she’s a time-traveler who has come back to change Danielle’s future.

“Abel and Cain” is a surreal short film crowdfunded and produced in 2012.

For more film and video projects see 4MileCircus.com

Blog Posts

DIY Film Distribution in the New Decade

This post originally published on KitSplit’s Viewfinder Blog. This year I launched my first feature film, Meme, across multiple platforms. We didn’t have a sales agent or a distributor or even a guy with a Lincoln trunk filled with VHS tapes to get the film out to the people. We did that thing that a lot…
Watch Meme Now

Meme is now available to watch across multiple platforms around the world. After years of production, post-production, and a warm reception on the festival circuit where Meme won Best Narrative Feature at the Art of Brooklyn Film Festival and received several positive reviews, the film is now available for people to watch around the world. As of today, you can find the…
How to Edit Video: Managing the Existential Dread of Editing

This post was originally published to KitSplit’s Viewfinder Blog. There’s a lot of advice and tutorials online about how to handle the technical challenges of being a video editor. We published our own “How to Edit Video: A Guide for Beginners” last year. What is less often addressed is how a video editor handles the mental,…
The Ultimate Guide on How to Submit to Film Festivals

This post was originally published on KitSplit’s Viewfinder Blog Film Festivals can be a vital part of the life of a film’s life cycle. With thousands of festivals around the world, though, deciding which festivals to submit your film to and when to submit can be overwhelming. I am a filmmaker who has shown films at…
Making a First Impression: How to Create An Amazing Opening Title Sequence for Your Film

This post was originally published on KitSplit’s Viewfinder Blog. The opening titles for your film or show can be vital for setting the tone of what the audience is about to get themselves into. And a great opening title sequence can have a life beyond the core material. The title sequences for the James Bond…
Film Marketing 101: How to Build an Audience for Your Film

This post was originally published to KitSplit’s Viewfinder Blog. You’ve finished your film! Congratulations! Now you need to get people to watch it! That’s where marketing come in. Despite what you may want to believe, just because you built it doesn’t mean they’ll come. You’re going to have to tell people about it. Luckily we…
Color Correcting for Video: A Starter Guide

This post was originally published to the Kitsplit Viewfinder Blog. Color correcting has an incredible power to give films a polished, cinematic look. The difference between a cool, blue-ish tone of a film vs. a classic, grainy film aesthetic can really set the tone, and help you tell your story. But color correction can be…
How to Edit Video: A Guide for Beginners

This post was originally published to KitSplit’s Viewfinder Blog. Whether you’re just getting started as a videographer, or you’re a seasoned filmmaker looking to add editing to your skillset, video editing has never been more accessible. Still, learning how to edit video can be daunting. Video editing, like so many skills in filmmaking, requires a…
2018: Meme, Rubber Ducky, and It’s Normal

It has been a minute since I’ve updated this site. Between keeping Meme and 4MileCircus up to date I tend to forget to keep this one up. So, here is a quick look at my three projects for 2018. Meme Meme is, of course, the biggest project on my plate for 2018 as it is…
The Ultimate Guide to Pre Production for Filmmakers and Videographers

This post was originally published to KitSplit’s Viewfinder Blog. You’re ready to make a feature film! Or maybe it’s a short film, industrial video, documentary, web series, or a wedding video for your cousin Clyde. Before you grab your camera, though, make sure you take care of pre production. Production is the fun part. That’s…