Lady Filmmakers Festival / Los Angeles Lift-Off Online Festival 2019 – Misfit M.
Who can you trust when you're the most famous woman in the world? The year is 1961. The woman is Marilyn Monroe. The words are her own.
Interview with Producer/Actor Paige Locke
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you!
Why did I make my film? ...Well, that's a loaded question. The 100% total, honest answer is because before Misfit M. I was just an actor waiting to get hired and that had gotten old. Looking back, I've always volun-told whoever I've been working with that I'd be the team leader, so producing was a natural evolution. Once we (it quickly became a complete team effort) got the ball rolling, it was very obvious to me that the film was also championing women in film, gender-balanced film crews, and attempting to shine a light on the abuse and mistreatment of mental health. On a lighter note, it was a platform for our team, our artists, to SHINE. It's a period piece. It's 1961. We got to have so much fun with all the details. I also wanted to continue sharing Marilyn's story. She's a big part of my life at this point and it bothers me when she's remembered as less than she was.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Oh, for a number of reasons! At first, you're going to take note of the score (by Julian Stirpe). Then you'll probably think that what you're seeing is really pretty (cinematography by Austin Ball, costumes by Julia Kim, H+MU by Shawnna Downing, Production Design by Angelica Stirpe... to name a few). Then, unless you're already a die-hard Marilyn Monroe fan, you're going to be exposed to something you never knew. Only a small group of people have seen the film at this point and the general feedback has been that they had no idea she went through what she did. By the time the film is at its climax, I think/hope that you'll realize you haven't blinked in 30 seconds and that maybe you're sitting closer to the edge of your seat. I've watched the film roughly 173 times at this point and it still holds my attention. Did I mention it's also just really pretty?
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I almost backspaced here, but my first thought was "well, don't we all just want to be loved?" A little sappy and cliche but it is what it is. The film may be about "Marilyn Monroe" but we can all relate to the woman in the film. Most of us at one time or another have felt lonely, heartbroken, angry, used. Since she died so long ago and so young, it almost seems like she was never a real person, just this fictional character that is sewn into our pillowcases and printed onto our umbrellas. Misfit M. attempts to showcase her as a real woman that a lot of us can actually relate to; just hopefully in a less traumatic way!
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Well, the script is actually taken entirely from a letter Marilyn wrote in 1961! So the words themselves haven't changed at all. Not one extra "and", "if", or "but" has been thrown in. And in the film every time someone other than Marilyn speaks, it's because in the letter she wrote "and then the Doctor said...", for example. We wanted to give lines to other actors whenever we could; even I was getting sick of my own voice. But adapting the letter into a screenplay did mean cutting out some chunks of the letter and re-arranging some sentences so that we could jump back and forth in time (at some points in the letter she's describing her current mood and at some points, she's re-telling a story). Fun fact: Misfit M. began as a one-woman show in the theatre simply titled Misfit (produced/directed by Canadian playwright Darren Stewart-Jones). I played her then, also. The main difference between the stage version and the screen adaptation is that in Misfit we presented the letter as is like one long monologue. That was a mentally exhausting time. Stewart-Jones was adamant that the show was word-for-word, verbatim theatre. Let's just say that the letter in its whole form isn't short. I'm very thankful that he gave us his blessing to adapt his stage production in a film. And for the current owner of the actual letter in Los Angeles to give us the rights to officially put "Written by Marilyn Monroe" in the credits. PHEWF. Love when everything comes together.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The main feedback, as I mentioned, is just that the story is very interesting. It's becoming clear to me that not many people know about this time in her life. There's been some lovely feedback about the cinematography and score. I'm so proud of our team. I shall scream it from the rooftops!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
No. I knew we had a good thing going. Don't get me wrong!! I am so thankful for any and all positive feedback, it's just not SURPRISING me that it's been well received so far. I know it's not perfect, not even close (what is though?!). But my bar is at a realistic height. This is Lockeport Productions first film and for a first-time filmmaker, I'm very proud. Onward and upward!! The only feedback that has challenged me (so far) is that the points of the story aren't well enough defined, that it's lacking some structure. Not wrong! But our intention was to make an experimental, dream sequence on drugs, type film.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Would just love to increase its following. No one puts two years of their life into something just to get a high-five from their parents (but thanks Mom & Dad!). I would also love to use these platforms to connect with other filmmakers. Do any writers want to talk business? I don't think Audrey Hepburn wrote a letter that I can use for my next film so...
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I would be thrilled if more publications, filmmakers and festivals wanted to back Misfit M. We all have to look out for each other right? I come from a community of actors and filmmakers in Toronto that possess very little ego. We're extremely supportive of each other's projects. It would be very cool to immerse myself and our film into similar communities across many cities. I'm confident that some element of Misfit M. can/will appeal to almost anyone.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope that the next time Some Like it Hot or Gentlemen Prefer Blondes comes on TV, that she'll be looked at in a slightly different, more human, light. And of course, I hope this film can have a positive, lasting effect on the careers of our production heads. Oh, and I want it to be accepted into all the remaining festivals it's been submitted to.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Was Marilyn Monroe actually an incredibly smart woman with an unfortunate support system? Or was her movie star persona not far off from the truth?
Would you like to add anything else?
I'd like to acknowledge some of the little details. The books on her desk beside the typewriter are actual 1950's editions of the books she mentions she's currently reading, the roses are in her hospital room because Joe DiMaggio brought them for her, some of her outfits are replicas of the few photos taken of her during this time, and the newspaper she reads was typed up entirely by our production designer Angelica; it's full of fake articles about real things going on that week of 1961. BLOWN AWAY. I also had waist-length, dirty blonde hair literally less than 24 hours before going to camera. I would catch myself in the mirror while filming and be shocked! And gotta name-drop my producer Allie Dunbar (aka my rock) and co-director Sarah Hempinstall. I really do share this film though with Austin Ball.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Keep an eye out for Austin Ball's latest film in this years 48 Hour Film Project (his film in 2018 won first place in Toronto). Allie Dunbar is writing up a storm and has booked some sweet acting gigs recently (that's as specific as that gets). Actor Emily Dickinson just wrapped a short titled March (@marchthefilm ) which she wrote and directed (George Petrovic also did sound for it, Austin Ball switched gears and got in front of the camera, and I was on set as their still photographer). Actor Altair Vincent is a co-founder of the 1 minute film series Blink Twice Films (@blinktwicefilms). H+MUA Shawnna Downing recently spent a few days on a new Netflix series (also as specific as that gets). To sum up, we busy.
As for me, I have some ideas brewing for another film but right now I am so excited to live the 5% of an actors life that is actually somewhat glamorous. The light-bulb went off to create Misfit M. in October of 2017 so after two years of constant phone calls and e-mails, let festival season begin!
...but really I'm there to network so take my card and give me a call.
Thanks for talking to me We Are Moving Stories!!
Interview: September 2019
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
Misfit M.
Who can you trust when you're the most famous woman in the world? The year is 1961. The woman is Marilyn Monroe. The words are her own.
Length: 14:33
Director: Sarah Hempinstall, Austin Ball
Producer: Paige Locke (also executive producer), Allie Dunbar
Writer: Marilyn Monroe
About the writer, director and producer:
SARAH HEMPINSTALL is a queer, multifaceted artist born in Ottawa, Ontario. Having been passionate about the arts from a very early age, her many disciplines fostered a deep love for creative expression. She is fascinated by the human experience and believes in the healing power of Art. After spending many years studying the art of acting she developed a passion for writing, directing and filmmaking.
AUSTIN BALL is a full-time filmmaker and actor based in Toronto Canada. Specializing in narrative filmmaking, Austin has won two 48 Hour Film Project competitions in Toronto. His most recent one, an ambitious single shot entitled Sir Ludwig’s DuClaudian Twins are Alive & Well and Living in the Same Building was also nominated for Best Cinematography and Best Writing out of 5000 films at the world finals. Austin found his way back to television and film acting a few years ago and is currently enjoying all facets of filmmaking and collaboration. Directing felt like a natural progression and he is always excited to discover what’s around the corner.
MARILYN MONROE was an American actor, model and singer. In March of 1961, Monroe wrote a letter. With 100% of the film's screenplay taken directly from it, Misfit M. sheds light on a chapter of Monroe's life from a completely untampered point-of-view.
PAIGE LOCKE is an actor, producer, singer, photographer and artist bored and raised in Toronto, ON. If that sounds exhausting, it is. The plan is to continue combining all those skill-sets in an effort to be the best filmmaker she can be under the umbrella of her production company, Lockeport Productions. Recent acting credits include What We Do In The Shadows' and 'Carter.
ALLIE DUNBAR is an actor, producer and writer living in Toronto, ON. She is also an entrepreneur and is passionate about creating jobs for artists. Allie can be seen in the upcoming Disney Film Timmy Failure [dir. Tom McCarthy] as well as season 2 of The Handmaids Tale. She was the lead female in Elijah and the Rock Creature, a family sci-fi filmed in the Northwest Territories that is currently making the festival rounds.
Key cast: Paige Locke (Marilyn Monroe), Emily Dickinson (The Girl), Altair Vincent (The Guard), Amin Bhatia (The Administrator), Allie Dunbar (The Psychiatrist)
Looking for: distributors, film festival directors, producers
Facebook: Misfit M.
Instagram: @misfitm.movie
Hashtags used: #misfitm #misfitmmovie #marilynmonroe #canadianfilm #womeninfilm
Website: www.lockeportproductions.com
Other: IMDb
Made in association with: Lockeport Productions
Funders: Self-funded by Lockeport Productions
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? 11th Annual Lady Filmmakers Festival/Beverly Hills, CA - Sept 25-29 '19; Orlando Film Festival/Orlando, FL - Oct 17-24 '19