Sarasota Film Festival / Sunscreen Film Festival 2020 – Her Place
A 1950s housewife awakens to a future far removed from mid-century nostalgia.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Actor/Editor Kathryn Parks
Watch Her Place here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
First of all, I became a filmmaker because, as an actor, I wasn't seeing the results I wanted for my career by auditioning for other peoples' projects. But in the case of Her Place, I also wanted to tell a story that was relevant and touched on topics, women's role in society, school shootings, and first-responders, that would get people thinking in new and challenging ways.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This film takes you on quite a ride. In five minutes time, it will completely steam rollover your initial expectations.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Her Place touches on many important issues while leaving ideas to be sorted out by the viewer. I wanted to address how far women have come since the 1950s when there were a great deal of expectations to be the perfect wife/woman/mother. While we have progressed in many ways, it’s also easy to look back at that time with nostalgia as we question other definitions of progress within society as a whole. School shootings have become all too commonplace. I wanted to pivot the conversation (which is typically presented from the male’s point of view within the media) to the female perspective. I also felt it necessary to draw attention to the experience of first responders in our modern-day world. Rarely is the trauma to first-responders even mentioned in gun control debates as a reason to push legislation. Ultimately, Her Place brings a female voice into the discussion and aims to redefine traditional roles in society and in the home.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
They changed in subtle ways, responding to budget, production day challenges, and decisions that were made to honor the gravity of the material while in post-production.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback has been amazing! When the film played the Sarasota Film Festival, I heard from someone I hadn't talked to in 15 years but essentially I made the film with someone like her in mind. It was touching that the piece spoke to her.
Festivals have also embraced the theme and I'll share some of their feedback below:
“Your film shows the kind of thinking women still have to overcome in this country to advance in the workplace as writers, directors, cops and to be able to marry who they love. Your juxtaposition of this kind of thinking with a couple’s daily reality is brilliant. I’m so excited we’ll get to showcase it!” - Rodney Piatt, Sarasota Film Festival Programming Assistant
“One of the best short films in years! A perfect 10/10” - Shreco Bakari, Foreman Empire Productions International Film Festival
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It has reinforced my point of view and encouraged me to know that there is a place for these stories.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would love to be able to distribute the film in a manner that will bring a larger audience to it. I'd also love to connect the LGBTQ community with the film so they have the opportunity to see it.
Oh yes, and as an actor, I'd like you to cast me! ;)
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Buyers, distributors, film festival directors, or journalists. Anyone who can help us bring the short to more people.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I'd like it to really make people think. I'd like it to stay with you after it's over and challenge you to look at the world and the people in it in a new way. I'd like for LGBTQ people to be accepted. And I'd like more empathy for police people who do their job to serve and protect.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What sort of assumptions did you make watching this film that were ultimately challenged?
Would you like to add anything else?
I couldn't have accomplished this short without two very important people. Elise Rodriguez was my assistant director, co-star, and fellow producer. The final product is as much her baby as it is mine. She is an amazing talent and you should all hire her as well!
Mark Palmer was the Director of Photography and his experience helped achieve a beautiful-looking picture.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am working on two ideas for new screenplays and aiming to grow my subscribers on my YouTube channel!
Interview: July 2020
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
Her Place
A 1950s housewife awakens to a future far removed from mid-century nostalgia.
Length: 5:12
Director: Kathryn Parks
Producer: Kathryn Parks & Elise Rodriguez
Writer: Kathryn Parks
About the writer, director and producer:
KATHRYN PARKS was Director, Writer, Producer, Lead Actor in Her Place. Kathryn was born to performing parents and graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Miami. On Florida stages, she’s performed professionally in shows, concerts, musical improv and cabarets. Kathryn first short, 50 Words, was named Best Florida Film by the Bonita Springs International Film Festival. Her Place marks Kathryn’s second screenplay and directorial debut. It was named Best of Festival by the Foreman Empire International Film Festival. kathrynparks.com
Key cast: Kathryn Parks (Wife), Elise Rodriguez (Detective), Casey Murphey (Detective)
Looking for: distributors, film festival directors, journalists, buyers
Facebook: Kathryn Parks
Twitter: @KathrynAParks
Instagram: @kathrynparks
Hashtags used: #herplacefilm
Website: kathrynparks.com/her-place-film
Other: IMDb
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Contact Kathryn Parks for a link. Kathrynanneparks@gmail.com; Sunscreen Film Festival, St. Petersburg, FL, September 2020; Saints & Sinners Film Festival, Orlando/MEGACON, September 2020; Fort Myers Beach International Film Festival, Ft. Myers Beach.