LA FOCUS - Oh Em Gee
In a hip bar, Deborah is disconnected from her social setting. She peruses a dating app.
Logline: Sometimes you have to get offline to get connected.
In a social environment, Deborah is plugged into a social app. Disconnected from her real life surroundings, she is joined by God. They share a drink and God shares some insight about living without her phone. It takes this divine presence to help Deb realize that life exists offline. Technology has its benefits, but humanity is the most powerful tool of all.
Length: 8 mins 17 secs
Director: Jonathan Chase
Producers: Jonathan Chase, Shay Greenfield, Kelby Joseph
Writers: Jonathan Chase, Shay Greenfield
Editor: Shay Greenfield
About the director, producers, writers and cast:
Jonathan Chase (Director/Producer/Writer/Jeff) moved to LA from South Florida to pursue his dreams of becoming an actor. Hard work and determination have transformed these dreams into a reality as he currently stars on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network in Tyler Perry’s original comedy series “Love Thy Neighbor.”
Oprah Winfrey has even live tweeted during the show "@jonathan_chase you remind me of Jim Carrey. So funny! #LoveThyNeighbor” This show is currently in it's 5th season and this marks Chase’s second collaboration with Tyler Perry. His first was “A Madea Christmas.” He has been seen in a succession of other films including “Gamer” opposite Gerard Butler and Michael C. Hall; “Eagle Eye” with Shia Labeouf, “All About Steve” with Sandra Bullock and Bradley Cooper, the cult horror film “Gingerdead Man,” the acclaimed romantic comedy “Dorfman In Love”, opposite Elliott Gould and Sara Rue, and the fan favorite coming-of-age comedy “Another Gay Movie.”
Chase's guest stars include “Bones,” “The Mentalist,” “CSI,” “CSI: NY,” “Leverage,” “Eli Stone,” “Medium,” “Oliver Beene,” “Monk,” “Roommates” and “The Defenders,” as well as having recurred in NBC’s top-rated “KnightRider” telelfilm. Chase has recurred on Disney Channel’s “Shake It Up” and “Veronica Mars.” Additionally, he was a series regular on UPN’s “One On One,” which was his first major television job and where he met the fabulous Camille Mana, the star of "Oh Em Gee."
This is his directorial debut with "Oh Em Gee." Also, this marks the beginning of a brother-sister collaboration with his sister, and talented editor, Shay Greenfield. Chase hopes his film and more to come will uplift the soul and provide perspective into living life with gratitude and grace.
Shay Greenfield (Editor/Producer/Writer) came out to Los Angeles to pursue her passions for editing, color grading, and motion effects for TV and Film. She was a top student at Video Symphony Pro School of Media Production. Upon graduation she worked for Fotokem, RealD, Point 360, BCIITV, Buddha Jones, Relativity Television, and is currently Lead Assistant Editor at Jamestown Productions.
Shay is both an Avid and Premier Editor with experience ranging from stereoscopic 3D to editing for television, such as her work on “Fit Famous And Fabulous” for the Veria Living Channel, “Tia Mowry At Home” for the Cooking Channel, and “Pretty Strong” for Oxygen. This is her first time as a producer and writer, and this marks her first collaboration with her brother Jonathan Chase. Shay is excited to tour the festival circuits in support of “Oh Em Gee.”
Kelby Joseph (Producer) is of Haitian decent and has been creating and writing since an early age. Following in the footsteps of his cousin, author James E. Pierre, Kelby sought out to write novels. Over time, he began writing plays for his local church and made the choice to dedicate time to acting. He attended AMDA in Los Angeles, CA and developed a passion for being behind the lens.
By the time he graduated in 2012, he had created several web series and short films. Since college, he started Kelby KO Productions, and continued writing and shooting. He produced his first feature film “Waivers” in 2013 and has worked with established industry names like Patrick Schumacker, Justin Halpern and Bill Lawrence as T-Money on the acclaimed FOX series “Surviving Jack,” Jonathan Chase and Camille Mana as a proud producer on the film “Oh Em Gee,” & Cosby Show's Deon Richmond, Dade Faison and cinematographer Will Barratt as a writer, actor, producer and director of the film “Familius Mortuus Vivens.” He plans on continuously creating and evolving as a filmmaker and actor.
Camille Mana (God) originated the title role in the world premiere of "Asuncion" written by and starring opposite Academy Award nominee Jesse Eisenberg and Justin Bartha Off-Broadway to rave reviews. Mana made her feature film debut in "Smart People" (Sundance/Miramax) with Dennis Quaid.
She recently appeared in SAG-nominated film "Cake" starring Jennifer Aniston. Other films include "College" (MGM) with Drake Bell and Haley Bennett, "Norman" with Dan Byrd, Adam Goldberg, and Academy Award-Nominee Richard Jenkins, "Speed-Dating" with Chris Elliott, and "High School" (Sundance) with Colin Hanks andAcademy Award-Nominee Adrien Brody. Camille produced "Equal Opportunity" awarded Best Film in the inaugural NBC Comedy Shortcuts Festival, Official Selection of HBO/U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, CineVegas, Cinequest, SXSW, and dozens more. Additional producing credits span NBC Web Series, feature films, and shorts. She was a Series Regular on syndicated television sitcom "One on One" alongside Ray J, Kyla Pratt, and most notably "Oh Em Gee" director Jonathan Chase.
Libby Ewing (Deborah) grew up in a small town, Newark Ohio where, at an early age, she cultivated her creative spirit by exploring all things artistic. If she wasn’t writing and putting on plays or dance performances for the neighborhood, she was curating art shows. After receiving her BFA in Performance Art from Ohio University, Libby moved to New York to pursue work as an actress.
There she worked commercially and was a founding member of Three Tattoos Theatre Company. She also performed in the Tennessee Williams Festival in Province Town and The Actors Studio. She caught the LA bug and moved three years ago to this majestic sun-kissed land.
In LA, she has continued working in National Commercials, voiceovers and in a number of independent films. Recently she has guest starred on the hit shows “Murder In The First,” “House of Lies,” and “Scorpion.” She also started her own production company, Couple of Gals, where she proudly creates and fosters female-centric content and filmmakers. Libby is thrilled to be a part of “Oh Em Gee” and excited about festival touring with the cast.
Key cast: Camille Mana (GOD), Libby Ewing (Deborah), Jonathan Chase (Jeff)
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): We are currently seeking distribution while we continue our film festival circuit. We have already been contacted by a representative at Condé Nast for possible distribution.
Funders: my sweet sweet wallet.
Release date: We premiered at the Hollywood Comedy Shorts Film Festival in Hollywood, CA at the TCL Chinese Theater on April 16, 2016.
Where can I watch it?
Women's Independent Film Fest www.womensindiefest.com
Oh Em Gee screens at 10:00pm in Block 6 on Saturday, June 4th at the Promenade Playhouse in Santa Monica, CA. Tickets http://womensindiefest.com/Spring_2016_Festival.html Dances With Films https://danceswithfilms.com/schedule/
Oh Em Gee screens at 5pm in Fusion Shorts Group 2 on Wednesday June 8th at TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, CA. Tickets https://danceswithfilms.com/oh-em-gee/
Lighthouse Int'l Film Fest is in Beach Haven, NJ. Oh Em Gee screens at 1:15pm on Sunday, June 12th. Tickets http://liff.festivalgenius.com/2016/films/ohemgee0_jonathanchase_LIFF2016
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thanks!! Camille Mana (GOD) and myself both starred as series regulars on UPN's hit sitcom ONE ON ONE. It was there that we became close friends to this day.
Camille Mana, Libby Ewing (Deborah) and I are all members of the Actor's Lab run by Raphael Sbarge. Currently Raphael is starring on two TV shows, MURDER IN THE FIRST and ONCE UPON A TIME. Between gigs, he makes the time to inspire us to become not just better artists, but better humans. Raphael's Lab also encourages us fellow artists to create our own content. Theater productions have been birthed out of this Lab, feature films, documentaries, web series, and this short.
After filming season 2 of the Oprah Winfrey Network's first and hit sitcom, Tyler Perry's LOVE THE NEIGHBOR, I returned to LA to write a positive and comedic piece for Camille and Libby. They are such brilliant actresses and beyond lovely people, so I wanted to create an outlet for the three of us.
With the assistance of my TV editor sister, Shay Greenfield, I was able to fine tune the script and shop for the rest of our team.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Do you own a cell phone? Do you text with someone you care about? Have you ever used a dating app? Have you ever asked God for anything? If you answered yes to any....actually, if you just read these questions, you should see this film.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Dating in a big city is hard. Dating in LA is hard. Dating in today's swipe and click, digital speedway is hard. Most people just want to be seen. How do you see someone, truly see them for who they are, while attached to your cellular device of choice? How can they see you if you're hiding behind it?
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
My first draft was 22 pages. I had jokes for days. It all stemmed from an article I read about sitting down and sharing a beer with God. My first draft had so many ideas in it that it became several different films. There was growing pains, death, and even morphing into animals.
Now I realize how much people love morphing but I knew I had to focus on one idea. How technology has changed our relationship to intimacy, privacy, and each other. I slimmed the script down to 6 pages. I cut the fat.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I really am surprised that people have reached out in the capacity they have. Even this article with you. I am grateful for it. I have privately shown producers the film as I am organizing the financing for my next film. They loved Oh Em Gee. Most people find it funny and charming accompanied with a good message.
We were really blown away by what the programmers at Cleveland International Film Festival wrote. Here is a small excerpt from CIFF:
"...absolutely delight narrative short with romance, a light hearted look at human emotions ruling over technology and the most comically fun representation of God that the viewer can ever see...The filmmaker used a tech savvy unbearable lightness of being that makes the viewer want to drop anything android or smart and just be. The actress portraying God was outstanding."
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
We are about to screen at 4 more festivals (Dances With Films, Lighthouse International Film Festival, Women's Independent Film Festival, and Best Shorts). I am thrilled with how our film has been received.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I just hope for my cast and crew that we can show our story to as many people as possible. And if get a few 'non' people to see our film...we'll take it.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
A distribution outlet would be ideal. We would love to find a home online, particularly bundled with a streaming service. We are more than fortunate with our festival responses that anything beyond that is a blessing to us.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We aim to bring you some laughter and a hint of self-reflection.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Ask yourself, how much time did you give to social media today? What else could you have done with that time?
Would you like to add anything else?
I have learned a great deal during this production and festival process. I can truly appreciate the intricacy of the pieces that build this filmmaking puzzle. Yeah, I'm sticking with that analogy.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
My sister Shay and myself are developing a short about our grandfather's escape from Nazi captivity in Italy. We have the footage from Spielberg's Shoah Foundation already of the interview of our great uncle recounting the story. I finished the first draft recently. We are assembling our team of above and below the line now. Next step is financing. Also, I just wrapped filming another season of the hit sitcom TYLER PERRY'S LOVE THY NEIGHBOR for the Oprah Winfrey Network.