2022 Update - Two Years?

It's almost been two years of the pandemic! Two years is enough, thanks. Time doesn't feel like it used to. It's been almost a year since I posted an update. Maybe because a year ago feels like yesterday. 

Well here we go.

The Getaway has played at 7 festivals - and was named one of the top ten films of the month at the Independent Shorts Awards in Los Angeles. It played virtually at most fests because of Covid, but it did screen in-person at the No Coast Film Fest in Kansas, and the Studio City International Film Fest in North Hollywood. It's a strange time for fests because of the virtual aspect. I'm perfectly fine with putting safety first, though. I'll just have to make another film for when it's safe to gather indoors in theaters.

In the fall of 2021, I received a scholarship from Sundance to attend their 9-week directing course. It was remote (damn Covid), but I got so much out of it, with talented classmates and a really badass instructor, Rebecca Murga, and my advisor, Kim Spurlock. 

We each had to direct/shoot a scene based off a generic script. The script had no locations, action or character descriptions - only dialogue. I was one of the only people in class who chose to make it comedy, and I decided to focus on working with actors (we had also done a masterclass with Judith Weston on directing actors). Because it was a class, this was an opportunity to focus on an aspect of directing I might not usually have time to do when I'm on set. 

​The end result is wacky (as I wanted it) - and I had such a great time. 

I also started working at the non-profit Age Inclusion in Media as Program Director. I get to talk with TV Writers, Directors, Actors, Filmmakers, Producers, Executives and others in the industry about their careers, craft, diversity, inclusion, and many other topics. 

Our next event is with writer/director/producer Kat Candler and I am so thrilled! I thought about emailing Kat back in 2014 after I saw her film Hellion with Aaron Paul and Juliette Lewis, but chickened out. Then I saw her twice when I worked at HBO Max, but never spoke to her. She has such a unique background and experience - I'm honored to have her as a guest (in case you read this before the event - you can register here.

In October 2021, I was in a gothic vampire photo shoot. Why? Just for fun! I only saw a couple friends this year because of covid and I didn't go anywhere or do much. I figured I should make fun where I can and Tracey Orzel was doing a spooky shoot in the cemetery and I said, why not live my vampire dreams? I'm never in front of the camera and have never done a photoshoot (and I don't know if I will again?). So cross it off the bucket list!

I'm currently working on a feature screenplay and "punching up" my new TV pilot. I loved watching the third season of What We Do in the Shadows, Power of the Dog, Passing, Shang-Chi, and the Beatles Doc "Get Back" - I'm thoroughly obsessed. All creatives should watch!