LA FOCUS - Being 8
Logline: A girl’s imagination runs wild as she ponders the BIG questions about life, science, and if she will get to see her mother on her 9th birthday.
Length: 10:33
Director: Clarashea Roos
Producer: Bryn Roos
Writer: Kirk Roos, Clarashea Roos
About the writer, director and producer: (25 words each)
Co-writer, Kirk Roos, and his wife, and Producer, Bryn Roos, run film production company Badlands Features. Their daughter, Clarashea Roos, co-wrote Being 8, and directed. Kirk has written, directed, and/or produced over 20 films and TV shows. Recently Kirk and Bryn finished a film for The Vang Brothers, Bedeviled. Kirk also co-wrote and produced Painkillers, and directed documentaries, American Herro and Gold Blooded. Bryn has Produced A Better You, directed by Upright Citizen’s brigade co-founder, Matt Walsh, Gold Blooded, and documentary Evan Transformed.
Clarashea directed Being 8, when she was 12 years old, and is now 14. She enjoys playing viola and plans on being a doctor, someday.
Key cast: Erille Weiss, Kirk Roos, Meghalee Saikia
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Yes, but…we know it’s a short film. So we’re mostly enjoying this ride!
Funders: Self-funded.
Release date: 2016
Where can I watch it? Dances with Films
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
It is a personal story for me. And, everybody remembers being 8, themselves, so I have hopes many people will relate to the questions in it.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I think a member of the audience should watch this film, because it is relatable. Many people have had troubles, growing up, and I think it is a touching story about a daughter and a father, that will warm hearts.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
It’s a true story. My mom was away from me and my dad, for awhile, when I was younger, so I guess that’s my personal theme. Struggling to be away from a parent, at a tender age. The themes that are universal are that everyone struggles, and it can be hard growing up.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
The script has evolved many different times. It started out quite a bit different, than what it ended up as being on screen. During editing, not only did the look and sound changed, but the story did, too. You can never stop perfecting something. In our opinion, it has changed a lot, and for the better.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Mostly positive and supportive. Our friend helped us get into Dances with Films and my Gramma is coming all the way from North Dakota, to see it!!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It’s made me want to work harder for this film.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I’d like to share this story with people and raise awareness for the topic. Also, my dad and I are gearing up to shoot the feature length Being 8.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We’d LOVE to get into more festivals and get enough exposure get a distribution deal as part of a series of shorts. But at least we’re hoping to share this story with as many people as possible. One day, we’d love to do a feature film version of the story.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like it to be the beginning of a discussion about growing up with one parent, or living with someone with serious health issues.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Well, to be honest, it is tied to a mental illness, it’s a longer story, but I wanted to show the world a part of this stigma through the eyes of a child, dealing with the worries of making sure her parents are going to be okay. It’s a tough thing to talk about, but this film was a start.
Would you like to add anything else?
I would love to thank all the people who helped make this film, one of our producers and DP Brad Brizendine was really helpful. And so many people volunteered to be on this movie. It was so much fun, but so hard, I learned a lot about life and business directing this.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We are writing a script for a feature version of the film, and hoping to make that some day. Plus, we’re considering a few other short film ideas, but in that area, not really pushing anything too hard. The goal is to love the project, so when the right one comes along, then we’ll do it!
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If you enjoyed reading about 'Being 8' please check out our platform: www.wearemovingstories.com We embrace new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you are a filmmaker - we'd love you to contribute. More info: Carmela (cbaranowska@protonmail.com)