Elton went to a Star Wars convention in Orlando, Fl. back in 2002. He had just wrapped production on his Thesis film “Nerd Wars.” He was particularly upbeat about his experience shooting it and thought with some extra footage he could pull off the big third act that centered around what else, a Star Wars convention. Once there he happened upon meeting Kevin Smith, the director of the Jay and Silent Bob films. One of Elton’s biggest strengths was to get people to do favors for him. It goes without saying that he managed to get Kevin Smith to make a cameo for the film but it was cut out of the final edit. It was the all around winner of the IFAC thesis films of 2002. It won Best Writer, Producer, Cinematographer, Director and Editor. (Elton was both Director and Editor.) It also won the prestigious “best film” at the Dragon Con Short film festival in 2002. Elton ended up putting “Nerd Wars” on you tube where it built somewhat of a cult following. Here are just some of the comments made by You Tube users: HAHAHAH! The Trekkies are an insidious gang. This film rules! Timeline= No "Trek", no "Wars", no Sci-fi channel, no doubt. Can't we all just get along? Awesome film, nice work. Haha, how awesome. I love the phaser effects =) I promised myself I wouldn't watch all 17 minutes of this at one o'clock in the morning. And yet, I did. I am a geeky loser. But that's okay. Not laugh-out-loud hysterical, but pretty amusing. Well done. I particularly like your George Lucas. What a hottie. this is a great short movie. most defiantly will share with friends and family. I played Chewbacca in this film. I also went-out with the cheering brunette wearing the blue jacket to the left in 15:49. Cute girl. Fun experience. I am a Filmmaker from England and I thought this was brilliant. Very funny. Well done guys!!! When I found out tonight that Elton was gone, I just couldn’t believe it. Although we weren’t the closest of friends in film school, we shared the same dreams. All Elton ever wanted to do was tell stories. Stories that made you think. Stories that made you feel. Most importantly stories that made you laugh. Elton had a great sense of humor. I’ll never forget being in scriptwriting class and hearing a woman start to have an orgasm and turn around and see that it was coming from Elton’s cell phone. He had a woman moaning as his ring tone. Elton was always the clown. It’s a shame that the world will never get to know him. –Kurt Donath