15 Minutes
Let's hope it's not limited to that.
Maybe you asked me this, I don’t remember. I got this question lots: Who’s going to play you?
My memory of this place and time is very specific. There was a laundromat slash carwash and an Elvis impersonator in a full jumpsuit and a beat-up hatchback. The film captures all those things.
But once the script was in the hands of production, well, the woman who plays me isn’t me anymore, she’s a character based on me. The broad storyline is the same, but the specifics are different. This short film is its own thing now, it exists outside my experience, interpreted by everyone who put in the time to make it.
What a strange feeling it was to hit the play button and see it all take place again, this story that was mine but isn’t anymore.
There are about 11 million things I want to tell you about. That one thing where I was like, “No way that’s gonna work,” and then it works. Beautifully. That other thing where I’m like, “Oh, so that’s what was happening there!” I want to show you the picture I took on the set of how they got that shot and then show you the shot and then say, “See, isn’t that crazy?!?” I also have 11 million what-if questions kicking around in the back of my brain. All of it is madness because …
The movie is pretty much done.
In answer to your other persistent question, not yet, not yet. There are some scrubby things coming on the visuals, a few adjustments to the sound, and the credits aren’t done. No way I’m showing it to you without your name on it. Or mine, for that matter. And there are some festival rules around where and how it gets a premiere — I can’t just throw it on Vimeo and give you a link. Because we made the Sundance Film Festival deadline, we need to protect the film from distribution in case we, ya know, win.
I’m exploring the possibilities for a private screening here in Seattle, and another friend suggested an online viewing party. I *really* want you to see it and I’m trying to find ways to make that happen — once Rocco gives me the green light.
It’s just over 15 minutes long. Let’s hope the impact lasts longer than that.
As always, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the people who made this happen. As always, thank you.