Lady Filmmakers Festival - Get Action
A woman’s attempt to cheer up her grieving friend goes wrong when she drags her out onto the unpredictable streets of Brooklyn.
Interview with Writer/Director Elaine Strutz
Main image: Christine Ng and Elaine Strutz
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! I was moving to Los Angeles and knew I wanted to make a film before I left New York. I came to NYC from Detroit over ten years ago to attend NYU's film school, where I met Christine Ng, the co-lead in GET ACTION. I had been editing ever since graduating, but had that itch to write and direct again. I knew the time to do it was then, utilizing the resources I'd be leaving behind - talented friends who were willing to work for next to nothing, borrowed equipment, and the locations I knew so well.
Much like the plot of GET ACTION, everything seemed to go wrong when I first moved to New York: a terrible car accident on the way involving my musician friend nearly severing his fret hand (spoiler alert – he’s the composer), an autoimmune disease from the stress, and an eventual windowless apartment that had particularly jumpy cockroaches crawling up the walls.
Eventually, I made a happy life in the most rewarding city in the world. That included meeting my husband and co-producer of GET ACTION, Tim Young. I wanted to make a film that faces my worst fear - what would I do if I lost the greatest thing to ever happen to me? In exploring that question in the story, I took inspiration from Tim’s positivity and proactive approach to life. The title for GET ACTION comes from a Teddy Roosevelt quote he has posted above his desk.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
It is my hope that GET ACTION reflects the complexity of the real world, with enough irony to really earn a smile from the audience and possibly even impart some positivity, just like the wonderful people – friends, family, cast and crew – who inspired and helped me make this film.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Personally, this exploration of despair is a way to celebrate the power of friendship and I think everyone can relate to that.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
I wish I had spent more time on the script, because it was sort of a first draft that met its second draft in the edit. I was thinking that since I'm an editor who will be cutting the movie myself, that I'll just get a lot and then cut it down later but you end up limiting yourself that way. It was longer than I would have liked because the dialogue could have been written more efficiently.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Really positive! I've been so honored to screen among some great shorts from other filmmakers and receive some kind words in return. I had no idea how casting myself and real life best bud would go over, but I'm glad people seem to respond well to the chemistry we have on screen.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Seeing it play in a crowd has definitely made me fully appreciate buttoning scenes and keeping them short and sweet.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I went to New York with very little in my pocket, but with big ambition. Through all the hardship, I found a film family of lifelong collaborators. With that same mindset and especially with relocating to Los Angeles, I hope to connect with people that share the same passion. I want to make more, help others, and support my fellow filmmakers doing the same thing.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Film festival directors and journalists! We're in the middle of our run and loving the festival experience. We'd love to get out to more.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We hope to attend festivals that have events and networking opportunities.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
We hope it makes you think about those small gestures that can be easily shoved under the rug. Get out there and do something for someone! It's probably as rewarding as making a short film :)
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Elaine and Tim are focused on writing these days. Along with some other screenplays, Elaine is currently adapting her one-hour drama THE CLIMB to a web series, in which an ambitious marketing director held back by the boys' club culture of the video game industry turns to stripping as she climbs both the corporate ladder and the pole. She plans to shoot a 10min pilot of The Climb early next year.
Christine is done with acting for now, and is working in the camera department for Spike Lee's SHE'S GOTTA HAVE IT series for Netflix.
Interview: September 2017
_______________________________________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________________________________________
GET ACTION
A woman’s attempt to cheer up her grieving friend goes wrong when she drags her out onto the unpredictable streets of Brooklyn.
Length: 8min
Director: Elaine Strutz
Producer: Elaine Strutz, Tim Young, Christine Ng
Writer: Elaine Strutz
About the writer, director and producer:
Elaine Strutz is a Detroit-born video editor, writer, and filmmaker living in Los Angeles. Her work includes Academy Award-winner Zana Briski's film, REVERENCE.
Tim Young is a filmmaker featured by Funny Or Die and the Huffington Post. His work includes an episode of the Broad City webseries.
Christine Ng is a New York based director of photography of commercials, music videos, and independent film projects, both documentary and narrative.
Key cast: Christine Ng, Elaine Strutz, Luis Moreno, Steve Arons
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): All of the above, for various projects.
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getactionthemovie
Other: elainestrutz.com/getaction
Funders: Elaine Strutz
Made in association with: Four a Minute Productions LLC
Where can I see it in the next month?
Nitehawk Shorts Festival - Sunday, November 12th at 11:45 pm
9th Annual Lady Filmmakers Festival - Sunday, October 1st at 12:15 pm