The Sisters Lee are Mabel and Vera Lee, a pair of country western singing sisters from a bygone era who try to navigate a lifelong career in music with the help of their manager, Wally, who never fails to get it wrong.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Actor Jessica Makinson

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

The Sister Lee are Mable and Vera Lee, characters that Janey Varney and I had been dying to bring to life for many years, originally conceived as a live comedy show with music. Right before the Covid lockdown, we had a few live performance dates lined up, all of which were cancelled. So we had to pivot and decided to shoot something instead.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

If you like mockumentary comedies and incredible character actors then this one is for you. We have Michael Hitchcock playing our manager, Wally. And Jeff Daniel Phillips playing a bad hombre opposite him. Lovers of improv, country music, the Mandrell Sisters, and vintage duds will also dig the film.

The Sisters Lee - Mabel and Vera Lee discuss the importance of word usage

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

These people are a family and they love each other. People don't always get it right no matter the best of intentions. But these characters make graceful room for each other shortcomings.

A lot of improv-based comedy ends up with an argument. I'm interested in comedy that looks more like real life, where people will do anything to avoid an argument. Watching people try to avoid conflict, now that's funny!

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

I had written a script to serve as the bones for the short, intending to allow a lot of time for improvisation during the shoot. So naturally, the final edit is much different from the script. Janet and Michael and I have all been performing improv together for the last 15 years with Theme Park Improv. That cast is always looking for new ways of working together.

This short has also ended up serving as a proof of concept for a series pitch. We have 2 seasons of the show already mapped out. It would be such a blast to produce!

What type of feedback have you received so far?

It's unique! People really like the world and they seem to be charmed by the sisters' chemistry. Yes, we really do sing. And we have more songs written than the one that appears in the film.

The Sisters Lee - Wally and Carl have words

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

The premiere is on March 9th @ Idyllwild Cinema Fest and I can't wait to see it with an audience. Always such a thrill. I'd love to be surprised somehow!

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

It's wonderful to have more visibility for The Sisters Lee but also for myself as a director. I'm transitioning from being on-camera to directing and writing full-time. So it's important to have the support of media and reviewers to build awareness and excitement.

Also hoping other film festivals might see the interview and be interested enough to screen it. :)

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

We're looking for Producers, Film Festival Directors, journalists, all of it.

We would love to find financing producers to shoot this series either for streaming services, a web series, or a podcast.

Any journalists interested to watch please reach out for a link!

Currently, it is unavailable to the public online because of premier requirements. So it can be difficult to get reviewers to publish without a way for wider audiences to watch, I know. But write-ups and interviews are so important in helping emerging creators establish themselves. Thank you to Carmela!

Film Festival Directors - we can come as a live-performing package. If you are a festival with a capacity for live performance, we could screen the short and perform live, as The Sisters Lee. Or potentially as Theme Park Improv. (themeparkimprov.com)

The Sisters Lee - Mabel and Vera Lee promo shoot

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I'd like people to laugh. I hope they see it as I do, as an anomaly, something unique in tone, funny, and sweet. I'm a big fan of precious laughs that break your heart a little.

I think audiences will want to see more of the world we've created.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Who are The Sisters Lee? We have built so much of the world around these characters and the short is just the tip of the iceberg. Mabel and Vera Lee have spent their whole lives in the country western music business. They've got some stories to tell.

Would you like to add anything else?

Just to thank Carmela and We Are Moving Stories for their continued support as an emerging female filmmaker. Much appreciated!

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Besides hoping to produce a larger series for The Sisters Lee... I'm in pre-production for a short film about climate change. There is a larger feature script written and I'm planning on gaining some momentum from the short to get the feature made. Very exciting!

Interview: March 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

The Sisters Lee

Length: 8:32

Director: Jessica Makinson

Producer: Heather Wilson

Writer: Jessica Makinson

About the writer, director and producer:

JESSICA MAKINSON is a filmmaker living in Los Angeles. Her work has been shown at festivals around the world. The Sisters Lee marks her fifth produced short film. Having previously sold scripts to Comedy Central, she continues to develop projects for film and tv.

HEATHER WILSON is a producer and freelance coordinator with a college degree in horse breeding which, in hindsight, wasn't a smart investment. Her resume includes work in film & comedy festivals, short-form media, and experiential marketing campaigns.

Key cast: Janet Varney(Vera Lee), Jessica Makinson (Mabel Lee), Michael Hitchcock (Wally), and Jeff Daniel Phillips (Carl).

Looking for: journalists and film festival directors

Instagram: @makinsome

Hashtags used: #thesisterslee

Other: Vimeo