History

In the summer of 2001, Gil, Dave, Steve, and Brian came together to shoot their first short film, Keg Runners. Since then, the troupe has written, directed, and produced over 25 short films, and churned out two feature-length screenplays: Straight On Till Morning and Do the Needful. The latter is an adaptation of the award-winning The Ballad of Sandeep, directed by Derek Frey and starring the world's second most recognizable Indian actor, Mr. Deep Roy. Also practiced in the art of sketch comedy, the Prophets have performed seven full-length stage shows, including Raw Dog and Fade to Yellow, both of which premiered at Philly's legendary Trocadero Theater. The troupe is currently at work on their sixth collaboration with director/producer Derek Frey, a short film entitled Car Trouble. 

Short Filmography
Motel Providence (2014) directed by Derek Frey
Sky Blue Collar (2013) directed by Derek Frey
The Ballad of Sandeep (2011) directed by Derek Frey
The Lonely Professor 2 (2010)
The Lollipop (2008)
In Vino Veritas (2008)
Heavy Breathing (2008)
Mike and Paul (2008)
America's Game (2007) directed by Derek Frey
The English Way (2006)
4th and 99 (2006) directed by Derek Frey
Sexual Genius (2005)
Stripper Come Home (2005)
We Were Boys (2005)
U.F.F. (2005)
The Devil's Handyman (2004)
The Most Important Meal of the Day (2004)
Styrophobia (2004)
The Gay Pill (2003)
The Lonely Professor (2003)
Cageman (2003)
Buddy (2003)
The Golden Pants (2003)
Party Animals (2003)
Popcorn (2002)
Cigs Kill Everyone (2002)
Tanqueray & Sleuth (2002)
Marxism (2002)
D.I.L.F. (2002)
White Hat Mixology School (2001)
Out to Lunch (2001)
Bagfoot (2001)
Bowzer (2001)
Keg Runners (2001)

Film Festivals
Los Angeles Comedy Festival, 2015, Motel Providence
Albequerque International Film Festival, 2015, Motel Providence
Garden State Film Festival, 2015, Motel Providence
Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards, 2015, Motel Providence
Fort Meyers Beach Film Festival, 2015, Motel Providence
Mexico International Film Festival, 2015, Motel Providence
A Night of Short Films XII, 2015, Motel Providence
West Chester Film Festival, 2015, Motel Providence
Honolulu Film Awards, 2015, Motel Providence
Brightside Tavern Shorts Fest, 2015, Motel Providence
Access Code Short Film Festival, 2015, Motel Providence
Laughing Devil Short Film Festival, 2015, Motel Providence
Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival, 2015, Motel Providence
Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival, 2015, Motel Providence
Sunscreen Film Festival, 2015, Motel Providence
Dam Short Film Festival, 2014, Sky Blue Collar
Mockfest Film Festival, 2014, Sky Blue Collar
Jersey Shore Shorts Film Festival, 2014, Sky Blue Collar
Ft. Myers Beach Film Festival, 2014, Sky Blue Collar
Santa Fe Film Festival, 2014, Sky Blue Collar
New Hope Film Festival, 2014, Sky Blue Collar
Lucerne International Film Festival, 2014, Sky Blue Collar
International Freethought Film Festival, 2013, Sky Blue Collar
Atlanta Shortfest, 2013, Sky Blue Collar
Best Shorts Film Competition, 2013, Sky Blue Collar
International Vegas Cinefest, 2013, Sky Blue Collar
Red Dirt International Film Festival, 2013, Sky Blue Collar
Rumschpringe International Film Festival, 2013, Sky Blue Collar
Santa Monica Independent Film Festival, 2013, Sky Blue Collar
Moondance International Film Festival, 2013, Sky Blue Collar
IFQ Film and Webisode Festival, 2013, Sky Blue Collar
Vancouver International Film Festival, 2013, Sky Blue Collar
Chicago Comedy Film Festival, 2013, Sky Blue Collar
International Vegas Cinefest, 2011, The Ballad of Sandeep
Colorado Film Festival, 2011, The Ballad of Sandeep
Jersey Shore Film Festival, 2011, The Ballad of Sandeep
Moondance Film Festival, 2011, The Ballad of Sandeep
Independent Film Quarterly Film Festival, 2011, The Ballad of Sandeep
Albuquerque Film Festival, 2011, The Ballad of Sandeep
Other Venice Film Festival, 2011, The Ballad of Sandeep
Atlanta Shortsfest, 2011, The Ballad of Sandeep
Twin Cities Film Fest, 2011, The Ballad of Sandeep
Offshoot Film Fest, 2011, The Ballad of Sandeep
Lucerne International Film Festival, 2011, The Ballad of Sandeep
Hell’s Kitchen Film Festival, 2011, The Ballad of Sandeep
Irvine International Film Festival, 2011, The Ballad of Sandeep
Anchorage International Film Festival, 2011, The Ballad of Sandeep
Mockfest, 2011, The Ballad of Sandeep
Rumschpringe Short Film Festival, 2011, The Ballad of Sandeep
S.U.R.G.E. Film Festival, 2011, The Ballad of Sandeep
Philadelphia Cinefest, 2009, America’s Game
Orlando Film Festival, 2007, 4th and 99
Cannes Film Festival, 2007, 4th and 99
Philadelphia Film Festival, 2006, Stripper Come Home
Philadelphia Film Festival, 2005, The Devil’s Handyman

Awards
ALOHA AWARD, Motel Providence, Honolulu Film Awards, 2015
GOLDEN PALM, Motel Providence, Mexico International Film Festival, 2015 
BEST COMEDY, Motel Providence, A Night of Short Films XII, 2015
BEST COMEDY, Sky Blue Collar, ITSFILM.com Short Film Competition, 2014
BEST COMEDY, Sky Blue Collar, Red Dirt International Film Festival, 2014
WINNER: NARRATIVE SHORT FILM, Sky Blue Collar, Moondance, 2013
BEST SHORT FILM, The Ballad of Sandeep, Freestyle Film Exhibition, 2012
BRONZE AWARD WINNER, The Ballad of Sandeep, Prestige Film Awards, 2012
BEST FEATURETTE, The Ballad of Sandeep, Vegas Cinefest, 2011
BEST COMEDY SHORT & BEST WRITING, The Ballad of Sandeep, Mockfest, 2011
BEST COMEDY SHORT, The Ballad of Sandeep, Jersey Shore Film Festival, 2011
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE, The Ballad of Sandeep, Best Shorts Competition, 2011
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE, The Ballad of Sandeep, Rincon Film Festival, 2011
AWARD OF MERIT, The Ballad of Sandeep, Accolade Film Festival, 2011
FILMMAKER OF THE MONTH AWARD, openfilm.com, January 2009

Brian

Brian was born an hour and a half before April Fool’s Day, 1973. He was raised in an apartment with one mother, two brothers, one sister, and three others. He played with Transformers and G.I. Joes until the age of sixteen, when his mother decided enough was enough and made him give his toys to the neighborhood kids. Being the only girls he knew were Lady Jaye and The Baroness, she hoped this would help Brian meet some “real” women. Her wish was granted, as, the next night, Brian fell for a girl at a high school talent show whose only skill was dancing to Paula Abdul’s “Cold-Hearted Snake.”

Upon graduating college with a degree in something, Brian moved to Boulder, Colorado, where he worked as a gas station attendant, pizza delivery boy, movie store clerk, and finally, an environmental scientist. It was in Boulder that Brian became his own person, learned to snowboard, abused various substances, and incurred a large amount of debt. After three years in the Rockies, he realized he was bred to be in the Philly suburbs with his family and friends. His pals often tell Brian he is their closest friend, yet he has never been anyone’s best man.

Brian enjoys listening to Ben Harper, wishes he were Don Cheadle, and will read anything but the Bible.

Read Brian's interview with openfilm.com here.

Dave

Dave was born on August 10, 1975, in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. Much happened in the years following his birth, but not a single milestone was achieved until the summer of 2001, when David received his M.F.A. (More Failures Ahead) in Creative Writing from Bowling Green State University.

For the record, David is neither gay nor Jewish—though his two favorite pastimes are dancing and complaining. Other favorites include Raisin Bran, Killer Whales, and the Old Testament book of Joel.

Though he has never sought treatment for them, David suffers from a series of mild phobias. He is afraid of the dark, afraid of commitment, and perhaps most intensely he is afraid of people not liking him. Upon meeting David for the first time, do not be alarmed by his talkativeness. He does not have autism, nor is he a victim of Asperger’s Syndrome. He is merely insecure, and as a result his mouth runs marathons.

Gil

Gil was born on June 21st, 1973. Gil's father passed onto him DNA so rich in testosterone that Gil found himself reaching puberty two to three times faster than his more normal peers. Because of his size and temperament, he could at times be found bullying children in the schoolyards of Aronimink Elementary. Gil was a very sensitive child and would frequently cry for his victims, suffering from feelings of guilt, remorse, and regret for having beaten them.

It was these two childhood traits that led Gil’s father to nickname him Fatners Baby Cry. When Gil got to Middle School, the name was amended to Fatners Poppin’ Pimps Baby Cry.

Like it does for many, the experience of Middle School sucked for Gil. In a vain attempt to be accepted, Gil learned to mimic the voice and gestures of popular SNL character Ed Grimley. This act merely led to routine beatings. Afterward, Gil attempted to be himself, and this plan failed just as miserably at gaining popularity – but the beatings did subside.

Gil made it through High School and College without the popularity he sought when he was younger, but managed to maintain some dear and long-standing friendships. Gil joined three of these friends (and with the help of countless others) to form The Minor Prophets, and now aspires to become a member of a funny comedy troupe.

Steve

Steve was born in August of 1975, and spent the first six years of his life in Southwest Philadelphia. The block he lived on was harmless, but he feared it nonetheless, rarely going outside. Alarmed by this trend, his parents moved the family to Secane, a suburb not fifteen minutes from the old neighborhood. There, Steve was safe, and free to flourish.

Throughout his adolescent and college years, Steve earned his spending money working at a sandwich shop and officiating ice hockey games. He was once verbally assaulted and threatened by a parent during a middle school game. Soon after that, he hung up the stripes for good. (Steve still makes the best Italian hoagie in the tri-state area.)

The other Minor Prophets and his wife can all vouch that Steve has severe passive aggressive tendencies. In spite of this, and a slight martyr complex, he is generally a nice guy.

He wears shorts and flip-flops year-round, is good at math, and likes to drink.