Can You Take My Picture
Nan tries to have a little control over her uncontrollable circumstance. A picture is worth a thousand words, but to Nan, it's worth so many more. An uplifting tale about hope, struggle, and a lasting image.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Editor Cameron Thrower and Producer/Actor Rebekah Tripp
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
CT: Thank you! I’m so grateful for the opportunity to discuss my latest film, Can You Take My Picture! The driving force behind wanting to make this film was deeply personal. I needed to see this story that had been boiling up in my mind. The film deals with loss and grieving. A year and a half ago, I lost my grandmother very suddenly and very tragically, and for me, filmmaking has always been a form of therapy. I found myself both sad and angry; dealing with so many emotions. That very specific life event inspired this story. Though this story is not based on the actual events that unfolded in my life, it does deal with the emotional side of what happens when you lose a family member or anyone close to you. Writing this piece has truly helped me grieve and it’s also gone a long way in helping me find the hope that exists within loss. It is truly my hope that our audience will find that this film brings some comfort, ease with whatever pain and heartache they might be experiencing.
BT: It’s a labor of love, that is for sure. I made this film because Cameron Thrower came to me with a phenomenal idea and I will move Heaven and Earth to work with him, anytime and always. The project is a beautiful one and it’s message went to the core of my being. The human spirit is a beautiful thing and it’s powerful.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
CT: There are so many reasons I would want you, as an audience member, to watch this film, and here they are in no particular order! It’s beautifully shot by our brilliant director of photographer, Jesse Aragon, who won Best Cinematography for this piece at the Culver City Film Festival. Then, there’s the acting. Rebekah Tripp and Lily Knight are powerhouse actors and create a dynamic relationship on screen. The music, composed by Claudio Olachea, is enchanting and haunting. It sets the tone for this emotional roller coaster of a film.
Ultimately, watch this film for the story. From the opening scene to the ending frame, you are transported to a safe space to explore a cornucopia of human emotion. The next time someone approaches you and asks, “can you take my picture?”, hopefully, you’ll reflect on the message of this film and you’ll connect with that person in a truly open and human way.
RT: I truly believe that this is a film for everyone. It will speak to every single person. We are all walking, side by side, through this life. We don’t always take note of each other’s journey. This is a glimpse into someone’s story; a truly important moment in their life. I think you should watch it because it’ll open your heart…and who doesn’t need a little bit of that, every day.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
RT: The theme is tied so tightly to both the personal story and the universal story. It’s tough to discuss the theme without giving the message and the story away. I think we as people are part of a larger whole; humanity. And that is exactly what this film discusses in a really positive and beautiful way.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
RT: Cameron does not covet his work. By that, I mean, he is aware of the different perspectives, ideas, and opinions that exist out there beyond his own. He is always so open to discussing and working an idea until it hits a really brilliant and special place. He allowed me to really explore and expand, Nan, and I know he did that with each actor in this film. He allows for that freedom of exploration and that allows infinite growth and potential.
CT: Can You Take My Picture was an idea I was quietly mulling over through the course of a few months while working on a few other projects. The visuals, the locations, the dialogue kept haunting me and I finally felt comfortable writing everything down, forming a treatment of sorts.
I approached actor/ producer Rebekah Tripp, with a one-page treatment in hand, and let her read it in front of me while sipping coffee at one of our favorite spots. After reading the last line of the treatment, she looks up at me, eyes brimming with tears and asks, “when can we make this film?”. That’s all I needed. She was my “green light”. She came on board both as a producer and as our lead character, Nan.
After I had my centrepiece, I began to construct our crew. I reached out to one of my favorite collaborators, my director of photography, Jesse Aragon. This would be our 5th project together, the most challenging yet, due to all the different locations. Having him by my side throughout production made this film an absolute breeze and so much fun to shoot.
Having Rebekah and Jesse in place, we were ready and nothing could stop us! The entire Can You Take My Picture team was magic and each of them fell into place like a beautiful landscape puzzle. Our cast; Lily Knight, Rebekah Tripp, Connor Kelly- Eiding, Joanna Strapp, Carson Donnell, Brooke Lynn Darwin, and our brilliant crew; Chase Darwin, Jesse Aragon, Claudio Olachea, Chris Dowske, Waymon Boone, Monica Escalante / Jose Williams at EFILM, Gustavo Ramos, Maryann Yee, Anne Montavon, Joy Wolfe, Stevi Ward, Matt Zarley, Wiley Ho, Gilly Rudolf, Doug Minerva, and Bob Gardner. Oh, and Brando, my dog. He’s in the film and he’s perfection!
What type of feedback have you received so far?
RT: Extremely positive feedback. I think it’s a really moving and relatable film and story. I am always so very excited to share this particular story with people because of the amount of heart that it contains. The reaction people have and their takeaway from the piece has always been and continues to be incredibly lovely and inspiring for me.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
RT: I think the only surprise has been in how completely open people have been to receive this film and let it into their hearts. They watch it with an openness that always blows me away and that’s why I think the response has been so positive.
CT: It has definitely enhanced my point of view overall. It’s a great feeling to release a project when stamped with your own truth and you can only hope people will connect with it. With this project, people have shared their own stories with me individually and it’s a true testament to why I’m a filmmaker: to connect us all through storytelling. When you leave a movie theater with a friend, and you can’t stop discussing the film, good or bad, that’s when a film has done its job; creating a conversation that brings us together.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
CT: Well, for one thing, I love We Are Moving Stories! Your selection of filmmakers is perfection! The caliber of work you showcase always inspires me. Having Can You Take My Picture featured on We Are Moving Stories is a gift. Getting the word out about our film is incredibly important to me. This is how people will learn about our story, our cast, and our crew.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
CT/ RT: Film festival directors & journalists would be a fantastic addition to aid the momentum that we have going at the moment. Film bloggers would also be a huge asset to have onboard to help us increase the visibility of our film.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
RT: I would love people to walk away from this film with the want or desire to connect with someone. And to be inspired to move through this life with a lot of hope in their heart.
CT: The goal, the desire… Share this film and share its message. The film is officially streaming online. We would love everyone to share it with their loved ones, their family, and their close friends.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
RT: Why is hope such a hard thing to hold onto?
Would you like to add anything else?
CT: The film was shot in seven different locations. To reach one specific location, it took an hour to hike in with all our gear, props, and costumes. It was totally worth it, as it enhanced such a beautiful moment for our main character. That’s just an illustration of the time and energy it might take to grab a minute or two on camera that is so key and crucial to the character and the story.
On another note, this film marks the 10th year anniversary project for myself and Rebekah Tripp! I couldn’t think of a better project to celebrate this beautiful collaboration.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
RT: I am currently acting in and producing two shows at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. They are currently open and running select dates through the month of June! They are really excellent and a quick 80 minutes, each. I would love to encourage anyone in the LA area to come out and watch! Tickets can be purchased at: Danny and The Deep Blue Sea and Haddon Park.
CT: I am currently developing three feature films while making a few commercials, and music videos/ movement films. We can't wait to show you the magic we've been creating behind the scenes!
Interview: June 2019
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Can You Take My Picture
Nan tries to have a little control over her uncontrollable circumstance. A picture is worth a thousand words, but to Nan, it's worth so many more. An uplifting tale about hope, struggle, and a lasting image.
Length: 12:16
Director: Cameron Thrower
Producer: Cameron Thrower, Rebekah Tripp, Jesse Aragon, Chase Darwin, Wiley Ho, Anne Montavon, Matt Zarley
Writer: Cameron Thrower
About the writer, director and producer:
CAMERON THROWER is a Los Angeles based film director/screenwriter represented by William Morris Endeavor & Writ Large. He has directed, written, edited over 30 films, music videos, commercials ranging from drama to comedy. Last year his award-winning movie, Pretty Boy toured over 45 film festivals around the world. Recently he directed the Oscar-nominated actress & Golden Globe winner, Maggie Gyllenhaal, in his film, Beauty Mark. Dana Brunetti & Trigger Street Productions produced the film. Cameron and his work have been featured in The Hollywood Reporter, MovieMaker Magazine, BuzzFeed, MoviePilot, Billboard, Variety, & Indiewire. His work on YouTube and Vimeo have accumulated over 45 million views and counting.
Key cast: Rebekah Tripp (Nan), Lily Knight (Rose), Connor Kelly-Eiding (Young Rose) & Joanna Strapp (Dana)
Looking for: journalists
Facebook: Cameron Thrower
Twitter: @CamThrow
Instagram: @camthrow
Hashtags used: #cytmp
Website: http://www.cameronthrower.com/
Funders: Self-funded