Gary Screams for You
A fed-up security guard possessed by the spirit of an ape fully expresses everything we can’t after a bad day of work in this absurdist slice-of-life dark comedy.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Editor/Actor Cody McGlashan
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! And oh, man. So many reasons. It had been living in me for some time- I think I had to get it out of my bones and into the world. Talk therapy can only take one so far, you know? It became a religion for me. It IS a religion, for me.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Because it's great. And I have sacrificed so much to get you to see it.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The film deals with, primarily, madness- which is something that I think is deeply personal to each individual, as we are all mad in our own way. It's universal because madness is a universal experience- we all know it exists in other people because WE ourselves have experienced a disconnect from the shared reality, in one form or another, although I think it's something largely as a culture we try to deny.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
A lot! A lot. It started as a documentary-style sketch comedy monologue about a guy who liked scaring people and over the course of two years grew into a 15-minute epic dramedy about the nature of humanity. The more people read the script, the more feedback I received, and the more it changed.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Great feedback. We've broken some hearts and wowed some people, thankfully. And made them laugh. My greatest joy is how there is such a variety in what people get from it. Some people liken Gary to a demagogue, a reflection of all that is wrong with us. Others see him as a symbol to aspire to, or someone they wish they could be. Others pity him. I think all are reactions are accurate. The audience is the final collaborator in a movie, right?
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
All feedback always surprises and inspires me. My view has been expanded because of the responses from other people, and I am so grateful for that.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Funding for the feature version of this short is our main goal right now. So that! And exposure; education if it's helpful to other filmmakers. And it's just nice to be interviewed.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
A producer or executive with feature experience who could help us take this funding process to the next level would be great. A sales agent would be great too! And of course, journalists. Such a huge part of this industry is journalists!! Every day I learn more about how important film journalism is.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I want it to topple you or make you laugh. Or both. I want the film to connect with you deeply. To free you. And I want the film to stop global warming, although maybe that's delusional.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Why do we use the word "crazy" to define things we don't understand?
Would you like to add anything else?
Thank YOU, Carmela! These are fantastic questions and this is a wonderful opportunity, and am so grateful you reached out.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
The feature! The feature the feature the feature. We need to make it. The script is ready.
Interview: January 2023
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
Gary Screams for You
A fed-up security guard possessed by the spirit of an ape fully expresses everything we can’t after a bad day of work in this absurdist slice-of-life dark comedy.
Length: 14:57
Director: Cody McGlashan and Nolan Sordyl
Producer: Cody McGlashan, Lejla Subasic and Michael A. Stock
Writer: Cody McGlashan
About the writer, director and producer:
CODY MCGLASHAN is an Actor, Director, Screenwriter, and founder of Bark Boy Productions. Recent projects he’s starred in are the short films Crabs (dir Ben Eisner, Official SelectionStudio City International, MKE, and Louisville International Film Festivals) and Neighborhood Watch (Dir Nolan Sordyl, post-production). In addition, you can hear him narrating the audiobook for Celebrating the Soul of Cleveland and seen running around screaming at night in any of the many green acres maintained by the Chicago Park District as Gary.
NOLAN SORDYL is a Chicago-based writer/director. His photography has been featured on Cleveland.com and in Synergies Magazine and his fiction has been published in The Mill. A number of his films and music videos have won awards at small regional festivals. He is currently working on an untitled feature scheduled to go into production in late 2022.
LEJLA SUBASIC is an award-winning Bosnian-American video artist and essayist living in Los Angeles. Her sensational music video for Triptides-Hand of Time has been screened in several festivals this year, winning Best Female Director and Best Music Video for IndieX Fest in Hollywood (as well as awards from Hollywood Gold, Imagine Rain Independent Film Awards, Cannes World Film Fest, Rome Music Video Awards, Rome Independent Prisma Film Awards, and Onyko Films). Other music videos are Goatfoam's- Post-Dim Null Space and The Feeler's - Kennedy, and many, many more.
Key cast: Cody McGlashan (Gary), Rachel Blakes (Bernice) Michael A. Stock (Phil).
Looking for: producers, film festival directors, journalists and sales agents
Facebook: Cody McGlashan
Twitter: @codymakesmovies
Instagram: @codymcglashan
Hashtags used: #shortfilm #love #video #nowplaying #art #comedy #horror #mentalhealth #psychedelic #animals #wildwild #movie #movies #weird #original #filmfestival #crazy #funny #noir #trance #hypnosis #cinema #film #lol #magic #cinema #cannes #awardseason #tiff #toronto
Website: scary-gary.com
Other: IMDb
Funders: Kickstarter
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Not sure yet! Waiting to hear back from a few others. And maybe a streaming service or two ;)