Barney&Herb
A devilishly charming retiree and his thirtysomething friend find comfort, happiness and mutual enlightenment in spending time together navigating the human condition.
Interview with Writer/Director Tommy O'Rourke
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Herb showed me that in the end - what matters most in life is human connection. Barney&Herb is a loving illustration of that fact.
An inspiration. A muse. A royal pain in the ass. The real Herb was a seasoned life veteran with zero f*cks left to give and he exuded that energy. I wanted to be his friend because of that - and I eventually became one. Careful of what you wish for.
Barney&Herb is based on real-life interactions I had with my 84-year-old friend who has now passed, and I have to level with you... the honest-to-whatever-god-you-do-or-don’t-believe-in-truth-is that (real life) Herb never told me anything profound, he didn’t sit me down and tell me all of life’s secrets. Herb inspired and taught me by his actions - the life he lived was a beautiful example. “If it wasn’t for my friends I don’t think I’d be around anymore because I’d have nothing left to live for”. Life - wherever you’re from, whatever age you are, and whatever your background is - can be profoundly confusing, painful, scary, funny, and loving. Friendships help us navigate this myriad of emotions and the human condition.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you love character and dialogue-driven films with heart and depth - this is for you. It's filled with a lot of heart and a dash of fart to break up the drama. I often don't think we see men being vulnerable and raw with each other on screen and I love that Barney&Herb does just that with a nice balance of comedy and very deep drama.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The overall theme of the project is the necessity of meaningful human connection in our lives.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
OH MY, how much time do you have? Creating a film with a team takes on a life of its own and I'm lucky to have a very talented and understanding producer in Josh Sathre. So many different drafts, cutting the project down from 8 episodes to 5. Production is always limited when you're on a ultra low budget project and we were constantly adapting and changing to suit those needs.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Very positive! Most surprisingly to this writer/director who spent most of his life making jokes and doing comedy - people have really loved the drama and depth of this project. I'm used to getting laughs and was blown away to see tears. THAT is very new feedback for me, and also the highest compliment in my eyes is to see audience members go through a myriad of emotions, laughing, crying, groaning at my childish jokes and foul language.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Absolutely, I'm still absolutely floored that the drama has resonated with folks so much and overpowered the comedy in this project - it's truly inspired me to embrace more of my own raw emotions and be more vulnerable with my writing and directing choices.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Bringing the project to eyes that may have never stumbled across it.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Buyers and distributors could help us elevate the project, get more people to see it and experience a deeply emotional and funny story that many can identify with. I would love to spread my joy of human connection.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope it can engage and bring people in, I hope it can stir something in people that reminds them of an experience or special person in their life that has helped them navigate the human condition. I'd love for people to feel the same gauntlet of emotions I felt when I was reflecting while writing it and experiencing it in real life.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Who has had the most meaningful impact on your life and helped you discover the truest essence of yourself?
Would you like to add anything else?
This was all based on my real friendship with the real Herb.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Writer/Director Tommy O'Rourke is currently finishing a feature script that explores the complexities of the family dynamic, pain and anger in a dark horror comedy set during Christmas in Detroit. Also pitching a completed award-winning short film as a feature, a more light-hearted stoner comedy called Petnap.
Interview: December 2023
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
Barney&Herb
A devilishly charming retiree and his thirtysomething friend find comfort, happiness and mutual enlightenment in spending time together navigating the human condition.
Director: Tommy O'Rourke
Producer: Josh Sathre
Writer: Tommy O'Rourke
About the writer, director and producer:
TOMMY O'ROURKE is a proud, multitalented Detroit native who has been working professionally in Los Angeles for 15 years. Originally a film production major, he turned to the “dark side” - acting - beginning his career at National Lampoon’s Lemming’s as a Writer/Actor and most recently writing and directing Barney&Herb. Slowly returning to the “light side” Tommy has been working more seriously as a Writer/Director on short films and penning several feature films in various stages of development. With over 25 years of acting/improv/sketch comedy experience, Tommy believes that this firmly roots his directing style in finding more honest, fully present moments that reflect a lifetime of improvisational comedy.
JOSH SATHRE has worked for Amasia Entertainment since 2016 as the Production and Development Coordinator, after over a decade in freelance production. Now the company’s Production Executive, he served as Associate Producer on their feature film Then That Follow, which premiered in the Dramatic Competition at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. He began his career in Chicago, producing micro-budget indie projects and working as an in-house shooter/editor for non-profit organizations. Eventually relocating to LA, he has worked in production on dozens of movies, TV shows, and video games. Some of the films he worked on as the Production Coordinator include the Sundance Audience and Grand Jury Award-winning Whiplash, Cake, and The Stanford Prison Experiment.
Key cast: Peter Jason, Jonah Ray
Looking for: buyers
Facebook: Tommy ORourke
Twitter: @thetommyorourke
Instagram: @thetommyorourke
Hashtags used: #Barney&Herb
Other: IMDb
Made in association with: Essay Three, Orange Chair
Funders: Self Funded and Post Production raised on Seed&Spark, donations can still be made to post by reaching out to Tommy directly
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
The California International Shorts Festival at the Hudson Theater this coming Sunday Dec 17th at 12:30PM - in block number 2. Tickets are available here: http://www.calshorts.com/Tickets.html