‘Thursday’ & The Value of Short Films
On the set of short film, Her Favorite Spot directed by Wes Walker
Short films are valuable tools for self-improvement as actors. More than anything, they show you where you are and the potential for where you could be as you continue down the on-camera path. I’ve had the honor of participating in many short films, just trying to find my footing. My first one was a student short film directed by a friend of mine in college. It was in that experience that I saw first-hand how important it is to treat them with respect. One of my co-stars - the lead role in the project was very stressed and didn’t like the late hours she had to stay up for the film. She had a lot of school work and didn’t quite understand all that she signed up for. While understandable, certainly, her attitude impacted the rest of the cast, making for an uncomfortable experience for all of us. Our director was kind, doing her best to comfort and pull out the performance she needed for the scene.
In my first internship at Bard, I worked as an on-set production assistant on the film, Cold Comes The Night. At the time of filming, it was called Eye of Winter. On top of all my class work, I drove an hour to and from set and it was absolutely magical. It was the first time I got to experience an indie feature film with a full cast and crew, learning about filmmaking on a larger scale. We were filming in Wyndham, New York just as Hurricane Sandy made her way into the state. One day, the weather conditions halted production, which prompted Bryan Cranston, our lead of the film, to offer a contest. The best short film written by a PA would get to shoot it with Cranston in the lead role. Awesome, right?! I kick myself every time for not being there that day. Anyway, Bryan took all the scripts and came back with his choice, “Writer’s Block” written and (to be) directed by Brandon Polanco.
Over the course of two days, Brandon would work with Bryan, taking notes and re-writing the script while working on the feature film we were all there for in the first place. Bryan Cranston, a master of his craft, treated the short with as much respect as he did Cold Comes the Night. It was a lesson in the importance of creating when given the choice to sit back and relax. It also illustrated how powerful short films could be when given that respect.
Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work on many short films. By the way, you can also work on short films in other roles besides acting. I’ve helped others, just trying to work together to create something beautiful. Take for example, Trailing, where I worked with Wild Imagination as a script supervisor. Or 42 Seconds, written by the stunning Mignon where I worked as a PA. These roles can be just as helpful to your acting as actually being on the call sheet. You meet people and you grow alongside them. I cannot stress enough how important that is.
Most recently, I had the honor of starring in the short film, Thursday, an experience close to my heart for many reasons. For one, this was the first time I was number one on a call-sheet for a project that wasn’t my own. I went in to the audition with Monique Grant, who plays my mother and we both got it! A story about a young teenager facing a very difficult and personal choice, we were auditioning in the heat of Georgia’s House Bill 481, affectively banning abortions in the state.
I had the chance to process creatively my terror and anger over a place I called home my entire life betraying my right to control my own body. Everyone involved was so positive, energetic, and loving towards each other. Once we wrapped, I felt so grateful and honored to be able to utilize my gifts and be seen and appreciated. You don’t have to wait until you’re on a major Marvel-sized set to have that feeling. You can experience that with what you have. All you need is a story and a group of people passionate about story. GO MAKE A FILM!!! :D
Take a look at my latest short film, "Thursday” directed by Erica Arvold, written by Rachel Wender, and produced by FIFF and Nova House below:
