Maryland International Film Festival / Utah Film Festival 2019 – Tumble Dry
Following his therapist’s advice to be more social, Gary, an aspiring NYC playwright, channels his obsessive compulsive tendencies towards online dating. With his "hit" play 'The Waiting Room' soon approaching, Gary risks exposing himself and his neuroticism to the world. But could this be the key to a real awakening?
Interview with Director/Producer/Editor Delia Kelly
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Our writer Gabe Waldman, met me, the director of the film, out on a Bumble date. While we didn't hit it off romantically, we had a great time talking about all the horrible dates we had been on in the city. It is also especially hard for Gabe because he is clinically diagnosed with OCD and anxiety...but he is hilarious and is able to see the humor in all the awkwardness. We decided that we would not go on any more dates, but we would begin writing a film about Gabe and his wild experiences. Later I found out Gabe had a play he had written called 'The Waiting Room,' which basically chronicles his treatment in therapy and explains the thoughts behind his quirks. We decided to include snippets of the play as a revelation moment in the film; then we, as well as his dates are able to get a peek inside his psyche and gain a greater understanding about who this person, Gary is. As we, and the world within the film come to know Gary simultaneously, Gary has a true awakening.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Tumble Dry is flat out hilarious. The last two screenings had the audience in tears. But beyond the humor you get a real glimpse into what it's like to have clinical anxiety in the dating world and how someone who takes a chance and exposes themselves artistically, is able to finally accept who they are, socks in the shower and all.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
This film is a personal account of Tumble Dry writer Gabe Waldman, and his dating life in NYC. He reveals what it's like for him day to day trying to follow his therapist’s orders to be more social and dealing with OCD and anxiety. Well how do you do that? Hide behind a dating app...until you actually have to meet that person in the real world. Universally, this is all of us. The fear of first dates, trying to be our best self when you have sometimes a wild card sitting on the other side of the table. But Tumble Dry takes it a step further with the introduction of the play 'The Waiting Room.' Gary creates a play about what happens in his therapist’s office, why he has certain ticks and why he behaves a certain way. When we create true art we run the risk of exposing ourselves. But creating art is also the most freeing thing for an artist. By preforming 'The Waiting Room,' Gary shows the world who he is through his art, and in that he realizes that he likes who he is, quirks and all. He is not going to change for anyone. He is all of us who have thrown our passion into our art and have become stronger in who we are because of it.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script started off with just me and Gabe writing a simple comedy about dating in NYC. Stephen Riscica, my co-director, became involved in the writing process and really loved the idea of including the play 'The Waiting Room.' From there is became a little bit surreal. We went back on forth for weeks on how the film would end. Finally we decided on Gary having his moment of triumph and then, its back to doing laundry., back to mundane life. But something has changed within him.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We received a great review from famed Village Voice columnist Michael Musto who after seeing it called the film "blissfully funny" on his Facebook page. We were certainly excited by that! Other then that it's been non-stop laughter at both screenings up until 'The Waiting Room' play is introduced in the film.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not yet!
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We would like to have more exposure at film festivals. We also have two more episodes written and would love to have a distribution deal!
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We definitely need film festival directors, journalist and distributors to come on board and give us help and advice!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I think anyone who sees this film will enjoy themselves for the entire 25mins, it really is a hilarious ride. I also want to people to want to see what happens to Gary next!
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Did Gary experience everything that happened between the dryers or was it all in his mind?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Currently we have the next two episodes written of Tumble Dry. In the next episode, Gary learns how to have sex from a specialist who has a bedside manner. In the third one, Terry leaves Gary for another Jewish writer. He is so distraught but he can't speak to his therapist because he is away at an upstate retreat. Gary goes to find him with some of his other patient friends and uncovers a secret camp just for therapists. Gabe also has a very personal script we are working on about his father, where he gives him the funeral he never had.
Interview: March 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
TUMBLE DRY
Following his therapist’s advice to be more social, Gary, an aspiring NYC playwright, channels his obsessive compulsive tendencies towards online dating. With his "hit" play 'The Waiting Room' soon approaching, Gary risks exposing himself and his neuroticism to the world. But could this be the key to a real awakening?
Length: 24:49
Director: Delia Kelly, Stephen Riscica
Producer: Delia Kelly, Stephen Riscica
Writer: Gabe Waldman
About the writer, director and producer:
DELIA KELLY and STEPHEN RISCICA have been collaborating since 2000 when they attended SUNY Purchase College for Drama Studies. They reconnected five years ago and began directing films. Last year their film 'It Gets Better?' was presented at the Cannes Film Short Corner. With their dark sense of humor, John Waters and Pedro Almodóvar are major influences.
GABE WALDMAN is a NYC comedian and aspiring writer and owner Stand Up New York Comedy Club. Tumble Dry, his first short film, is based on his real life wacky dating experiences. Even more wild, he met the director of Tumble Dry on a Bumble date. While they did not hit it off romantically, they became fast friends and decided to write and create Tumble Dry. Fact is stranger than fiction, and Gabe's next script is a dark comedy that pays homage to his deceased father and the funeral he never had.
Key cast: Jacob A. Ware - Gary, Rachel McPhee - Nicole, Kelly Fairbrother - Robin, Darlene Dues - Terry, Darron Cardosa - Bitchy Waiter, Michael Caputo - Reiki Waiter
Looking for: distributors, sales agents, buyers, film festival directors
Facebook: Tumble Dry
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Maryland International Film Festival in Hagerstown Maryland March 29-31; Utah Film Festival and Awards April 5-6; Nice Film Fest International May 11-18