GenreBlast Film Festival - Shades of Scarlet
Shades of Scarlet is a powerful story about the paths people choose and how events can turn in a moment's notice. The film follows a convicted rapist just released on a technicality. Frustrated with the public reaction to his release, he tries to take a momentary refuge in a dive bar. This becomes difficult when a ball busting nurse hits on him.
Interview with Director/Producer Wendy Keeling
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I think the story is an unusual but powerful one. The film is about a man who was in prison for rape and assault and was released on a technicality. The story follows him on his first day out of prison. The audience is confronted right away with the seriousness of the crime and the reaction of those around him. I think the story is both entertaining and has a message and I hope that we continue to engage audiences on the festival circuit.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I tend to like dark comedies. Real character pieces that allow the actors to play a bit. I think you can tell a good story, even a serious one, but you can have levity in the story. For me, the job as a filmmaker and an actor is to tell a good story. If we can entertain an audience at the same time then I feel we have succeeded.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
So writer Wynn Reichert sent me this screenplay a couple years ago looking for someone to produce the film. I just didn't have a strong reaction to the story at that time and passed. Wynn and I have worked together on several projects in the meantime. He finally let me know he had rewritten the story and asked if I would take a look. I read the new version and fell in love with the quirky characters and the powerful story line. I just needed to play Scarlet!! There was no stopping us after that!
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We have gotten really good feedback from the audiences so far. It seems to make them experience moments of uncomfortable laughter in the midst of very serious content. I will admit it was strange for me at first to hear the laughter. However, I think that just means that our characters interest and engage the audience which is a great thing.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I will be honest. Both Wynn and I were a bit caught off guard at the premiere. It was a big theatre and a full house. I am not sure either of us realized that the audience would laugh so easily. A snicker or two yes, but real belly laughs and no one holding back was pretty awesome. I am still amazed that we have managed to tell this serious story but still bring the laughs with our quirky characters.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
It is always nice to have press for your film. As an indie filmmaker it can be difficult to get your film to audiences so any and every opportunity to reach someone is an added plus. I truly appreciate you taking the time to speak with me about Shades of Scarlet!! It would also be nice to find people who might want to assist us to continue to travel with this film and to find funding for the next projects.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
As all creatives, I would like to have my work seen by as many people as possible. Working in Indie Film can be tough since you don't have the money and support of the studio system. It is up to us to fund the project and get it to festivals. It is my hope that this film will continue to make an impression on the festival circuit and I will be able to travel to represent the film at as many festivals as possible.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I think we touch on the fact that sexual assault and rape are big issues for our justice system. Often the accused is giving light sentences or released early for "good behavior". Too frequently the victim is left to deal with the shame of the event and becomes victimized again. I would love to see this film spark more discussion about that conversation.
Would you like to add anything else?
I just want to thank you so much for reaching out to speak with me about our film!! I truly appreciate your desire to represent filmmakers and help them get their work out.
In addition I would like to thank writer and co-actor Wynn Reichert for pushing me to take another look at this story. Also, many thanks going out to my talented and underpaid cast and crew for all your hard work on this project! It really takes the entire team to make a great film and I am lucky to have a good group to play with
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Like most creatives, I have several projects rolling around in my head. Our next short film is a dark comedy called "Clown College". This one is definitely challenging me on many fronts. It is a story about a young woman trying to recover from losing her over bearing father. The story takes an unexpected twist at the end. Lots of emotion and production design to this one. We are hoping to find funding and shoot this in October.
The next project on the list is a feature with the working title "Whiskey Quilts". It a an award winning screenplay based on my story that was written by the talented Wynn Reichert. It is another dark comedy, (My favorite genre!!) This one has over the top characters who are put in an unexpected situation. It has a fairly good horror element to it. Unlike my other comedic horrors, this one will have a little blood in it. We hope to have the funding in place to shoot it in the summer or fall of 2018.
In my down time (which is rare) I am a visual artist. I work several mediums. Currently I am literally playing with fire as a ceramic artist. I also dabble at painting and carve stone. Pretty much any medium that involves dirt, power tools, and heat turns me on.
In addition to all this, I am a working actor. You can see me in commercials and in quite a few indie film projects. Currently I am in a funny TN lottery commercial. I am also in the upcoming films Madhouse Mecca, The Monster Under My Bed, Killing the Dance, and Painted Horses. There are also 3 short films on the docket this fall for me with filmmakers Cameron McCasland, Mark Datuin, and Gabriel Crutchfield which I am looking forward to.
August 2017
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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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Shades of Scarlet
Shades of Scarlet is a powerful story about the paths people choose and how events can turn in a moment's notice. The film follows a convicted rapist just released on a technicality. Frustrated with the public reaction to his release, he tries to take a momentary refuge in a dive bar. This becomes difficult when a ball busting nurse hits on him.
Length: 13:56
Director: Wendy Keeling
Producer: Wendy Keeling
Writer: Wynn Reichert
About the writer, director and producer:
Wendy Keeling is an Actor, Artist, Director, and Producer based in Nashville, Tennessee. She writes, directs, and produces projects with her production company 7 Mile Bridge Productions.
Wynn Reichert is an Actor, Writer, and Comedian based in Nashville, Tn. You can catch him in Masterminds, Columbus, and Beauty Mark among other films.
Key cast:
Wynn Reichert, Wendy Keeling, Susannah Devereux, Lucy Turner, David Ditmore
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
We have recently started the festival circuit with this film and are hoping to continue to announce upcoming festivals. After the festival tour we are hoping to find an online platform to host the film for continued viewing. Of course we always like to discuss our work so any press is welcome. In addition, If anyone would like to play with us on our next projects, we would love to entertain investors. It's tough finding funding for films. Solely funding it without a real job is difficult. The sad truth is that I could not travel to festivals with a "normal" job. So for now I sell my artwork, take acting gigs, and rely on the good faith of crowdfunding to get projects made.
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShadesofScarletmovie/
Twitter: @Shades_Scarlet
Instagram: @wkkeeling
websites
http://wendykusmaulkeeling.wixsite.com/wendykeeling
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3900272/
Funders: Most of the film was made with the help of generous donations from supporters and from the sale of my artwork.
Where can I see it in the next month?
GenreBlast Film FestivalSeptember 9, 2017
Winchester, VA
United States
Toronto Indie Film Festival
September 13th, 2017
Toronto
Canada
Knoxville Film Festival
September 17th, 2017
Knoxville, Tn
United States
Selby International Short Film Awards
TBA
United Kingdom
Rendezvous Film Festival
September 22nd, 2017
Fernandina Beach, FL
United States