Austin Film Festival - Shy Guys
Strangers (Tony winner Reed Birney and Blake DeLong) bravely confront and resolve one of the most terrifying and perplexing scourges to ever afflict mankind...while standing at urinals with their willies out.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Fredric Lehne
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! I made Shy Guys to see if I could. To create something with other humans. To get off the couch.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Because you''ll laugh. A lot. Then you'll say, "awww." You'll feel happy and satisfied. I got lucky making this film; It works. I'm proud of it.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
No matter the issue, honest human connection is the answer.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
I was initially going to shoot this myself with my own camera and a bunch of friends for as close to nothing as possible. But I took a flyer, got the script to 2016 Tony winner Reed Birney and he, to my great delight, wanted to come aboard.
I really believed in the script and I had Reed. So I shifted gears and decided to do this as best I could, as professionally as possible. I cancelled the trip to Spain, hired a crew, and rented really good gear. It was worth it.
The script was only ten pages. I wanted it as tight as it could be. I belong to a screenwriting group - we kicked it around there, and the offending passage (a one page sequence) became pretty obvious. But I really wanted to hold on to it. Once the actors were set we had a rehearsal (invaluable), worked it both ways, and, yes, I killed my darling. Much better off for it.
I was at a film festival in NYC last night and saw several shorts that could have benefitted by trimming fat and not hitting the same chord too many times.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Hearing a couple hundred people laughing their butts off watching Shy Guys is one of the greatest feelings ever. From our premiere at the Austin Film Festival to the teen filmmaking class at our local high school we have had nothing but big smiles and incredibly nice compliments.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback is a delightful relief. We all want people to like our stuff. I feel my point of view has been given confidence, at least in the silly department.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
The website's very cool. I could hang around on it for a long time. Achieve? I'm more of a see-where-life-takes-me guy. It's worked pretty well so far.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I don't know. Shy Guys is not really a "message" film. It's just a real good giggle. It's doing well on the festival circuit. Distributors? The distribution market for short films is...well, is there one?
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Just that people laugh, belly laugh, wipe the tears laugh. I wouldn't mind if folks walked away thinking I'm not a half bad writer/director, either.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
You ever have trouble peeing in public?
Did you go to Catholic school?
Would you like to add anything else?
I do finally have a feature script that I truly like and believe in called Bears & Ghosts. I've gotten it to my dream cast (it worked last time) and I'll proceed from there. It's a supernatural dark comedy about redemption through brotherly love.
What are you developing or working on now?
Film Title: Bears & Ghosts
Logline: Three dissatisfied middle-aged brothers reunite at their family's cabin-by-the-lake to bury their father - a wacky spiritual guru to millions - next to their mother whom one of them shot in the head when they were kids. It's a comedy.
Length: Feature
Interview: November 2016
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. 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
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Shy Guys
Strangers (Tony winner Reed Birney and Blake DeLong) bravely confront and resolve one of the most terrifying and perplexing scourges to ever afflict mankind...while standing at urinals with their willies out.
Length: Feature
Director:
Producer:
Writer: Fredric Lehne
About the writer, director and producer:
FREDRIC LEHNE : Ubiquitous character actor with over 200
appearances in film, television and stage productions from Broadway to Miami to Portland, Oregon.
Feature films include Zero Dark Thirty, Men In Black, The Dark
Knight Rises, Con Air, Ordinary People, Being There and Talulah.
He is perhaps best known for his television work as a regular or recurring character on the shows Lost, American Horror Story, Supernatural, Chicago Fire, Public Morals and Dallas, as well as the acclaimed Mini-Series From The Earth To The Moon and Billionaire Boys Club.
Shy Guys marks his directorial debut.
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Sure, you might love the script and want to help!
Funders:
Ditto.