A watercolor illustration featuring a cowboy hat, bones, and a knife, with text indicating the title 'Dr. Milksop' and awards from various film festivals.

Dr. Milksop

Producer · Writer · Director · Editor

“Dr. Milksop” was a particular challenge for Ethan Geiger as he embarked on creating a western with a budget of $500. The movie follows a pair of outlaws reconvene after narrowly escaping a botched bank robbery. The two banter and accuse one another of setting each other up before ultimately deciding that banks are too difficult to rob and they need to find another way to steal money.

Dr. Milksop trailer.

About the Project

"Dr. Milksop” was adapted from a short story of the same name, rewritten to make the film easier to produce. With the story’s many locations condensed to just one, and the horses fenced off in the beginning of the script, it went a long way to making a western for just $500. Though it made it easier, this film took significant effort to be made. Having to align the schedules of all cast and crew members was a significant challenge, as it was all volunteer-based.

Filmed on location in Gold Hill, Colorado, a once prominent mining town, Ethan and his crew shot the movie over the course of one day, which was a significant challenge due to the length of the script, the number of practical effects, and cold weather conditions on top of the mountain where it was filmed.

Many of the “Dr. Milksop” crew would go on to work with Geiger again in his final film shot in Colorado, including Bailey Walker, who helped with the “Five Star Fundraiser” video, Catherine Krahl, who went on to be the director’s assistant for FSR, Kayla Rose, who went on to be associate producer, Logan Nessleroad, John Dillian, and Charles Dumont, who assumed a much larger role in “Five Star Realtors” as The Judge.

Watch “Dr. Milksop”

Stills, promo, and BTS

Info

Plot Summary

A pair of outlaws reconvene after narrowly escaping a botched bank robbery. The two banter and accuse one another of setting each other up before ultimately deciding that banks are too difficult to rob and they need to find another way to steal money.

Awards

1 win

2024

Indie Movies Spark Film Festival

Won, January Award

Best Short Film

Ethan Geiger

Technical Details

Runtime: 6 minutes

Aspect Ratio: 2.35 : 1

Camera: Ursa Mini Pro 4.6K

Negative Format: Blackmagic RAW

Release Details

Country of Origin: United States

Languages: English

Production Status

Released

Dec 16, 2023

Credits

  • Ethan Geiger

  • Director

  • Ethan Geiger

    Writer

  • Kayla Rose

    Costume Designer

  • Ethan Geiger

    Producer

  • Kayla Rose

    Producer

  • Kayla Rose

    Key Cast

    "Receptionist"

  • Logan Nestelroad

    Key Cast

    "Patient"

  • Josh McFadden

    Key Cast

    "Black Shirt"

  • Slade Thomas

    Key Cast

    "Blue Shirt"

  • Charles Dumont

    Key Cast

    "Doctor "

  • Daniel Daubenspeck

    Key Cast

    "Sherrif "

  • Humberto Espiridion Valdivia

    Key Cast

    "Waiting Room Victim"

  • Bailey Walker

    Blood Master

  • Humberto Espiridion Valdivia

    Cinematographer

  • Catherine Krahl

    Armorer/Safety Official

  • John Dallin

    Crafty

  • Griffin Seeley

    Production assistant

  • Catherine Krahl

    Poster Art