I took a break from working on projects this morning. I was really motivated, but I forced myself to take a break for health reasons. Then the doubt seeped in. I caught myself questioning myself, and I knew the self-criticism was without merit. But I lost a little steam.
I dawdled on Facebook, when a post sparked a need to look through some old belongings I hadn’t touched in years. In the process, I found my copy of On the Road by Kerouac, which I had thought was lost. Inside the book, there was this postcard from my writing mentor, Ray Kelleher. He wrote it in 1996 explaining he would be gone and when he would be back, and ended the card, “Write Anyway! Be-bop lives.”
Postcard from my writing mentor, Ray Kelleher, to our high school writing workshop. 1996. It was hidden in my copy of Kerouac’s “On the Road.”
Postcard from my writing mentor, Ray Kelleher, to our high school writing workshop. 1996
He died several years back. I didn’t learn until well after the fact. Sometimes signs from him pop up. Like this.
I’m back at the computer. I’m sharing because there’s probably others who need a kick from the other side to get back to working on what you love, too.
I am excited to be collaborating with 60 Second Scifi for my latest short comedy film script. This will be my first turn as Director. 🎥
Read through will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, majority of filming to be done on Saturday, June 29 (9-5). (Location revealed to those on board.)
There are two major speaking parts and several spots for other actors: male, female, non-binary, 21+. Editors, audio, camera crew welcome. Need accommodations? Let’s talk. This is a volunteer project with a great, welcoming group.
Now that The Grand Cinema’s 253 Film Screening has happened, I can share some of the work I did in 24 hours (with a 8-hour break for sleep in there).
When I met with Derek Schneider, Candace Schneider, and Caleb Fisher for the first time, I had recently finished working on a presentation regarding immigrant and refugee stories in Tacoma, WA. Much of my other published written work has been on social justice and political issues. I have spent years doing uncredited written material for educational and non-profit institutions, as well as confidential reports for vocational rehabilitation cases. Derek brought forward the concern that he typically produced comedies.
After focusing on such serious material for a long time, I made it clear I was ready for a fun project, and so…
I wrote a script that can be summed up as a feminist poop joke meets Japanese monster movies. And then I scrambled to prepare the costumes and props in time for the shoot.
It’s not completely without redeeming qualities. As a migraine sufferer, I hope this project will draw attention to some people’s reliance on chemical air fresheners in the work place. But let’s be honest: in 72 hours, it’s pretty darn hard to create a 253 second film that meets a competition’s required elements (includes dialogue “back to square one,” references fake news, has a white dress, and includes a scene from a well-known movie) AND serves society beyond entertainment value.
The day before the shoot, Director Derek Schneider dropped off a load of cardboard boxes per my request that we create a model city to destroy. While painting the grid in my yard, a neighbor’s Husky decided to rampage through the city a little early. (Thanks, Shiner.) Actors helped work on this project in between takes on set up until the very end.Actor Sarah Dullanty was awesome to work with. I told her the idea for the costume, and she helped piece together her arm bands and staple claws while I worked on the rest of her costume. She also used her costume making skills to create straps for the inside of the box so she could have more mobility. Paul Figueroa created little satellite dishes for the buildings, and was more than happy to make extras to serve as the robot’s ears.In case it’s not obvious, Actor Sarah Dullanty could not see while in this costume. Props had to be placed into her hands.Actor Alicia Longman was also great to work with through this whole process. Honestly, the whole crew rocked.The turtle armature is light, but not sized to actor Alicia Longman as I met her for the first time on the day of the shoot. For the face, I cut a N95 air filter mask in half and painted it like a turtles nostrils. The elastic did not want to stay on her head, so we used painters tape on the sides. We wanted bad props, and I think we succeeded.Label design for the air freshener, which is the catalyst for the robot vs. turtle fight. Yes, I know, it’s impossible to genetically mutate into a robot. That’s not how science works.
I’m looking forward to my slightly more serious next project, this time as writer/ director/ and probably producer. If you’re interested in working on a feminist dark comedy series for the web, hit me up. I’ll need editors, sound, actors, funding. Camera operators would be great, too. More information to come.
[All photos and text by Suzanne Skaar. All rights reserved. 2019.]
Tacoma is high on awesomeness and low on media choice. To fix this, I present Amplify Tacoma.
The first collaboration meeting is in downtown Tacoma on Saturday, December 12, at 10:30 a.m., location to be revealed upon confirmation of attendance. Follow Amplify on Facebook, and show your support.
No, Mine! Studios 