Focus on SXSW - Gay Haircut
For a stand-up comic, a drastic life change can mean losing one’s entire act. Bisexual comedian Krista has decided her relationship with a trans woman is worth coming out over - but will she commit to an entire rebrand with one gay haircut?
Interview with Director Jude Harris
Watch Gay Haircut here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! So many reasons: Because my very funny partner wrote it and I was excited to direct her work. Because there was a little window when it seemed safe to make something during Covid, and I missed collaborating and making movies. And, because in such heavy times I wanted to make something fun and silly and queer.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Gay Haircut is a very silly comedy about a gay haircut that's for anyone who has ever taken a surprising step outside of their comfort zone. It stars three funny stand-up comics and one funny stuntman from Jackass Forever.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Gay Haircut grew out of Krista's autobiographical story. She's really a stand-up comic, and she really did spend years making fun of men she was in relationships with. Her new jokes about being in a relationship with me, a trans woman, really did inspire her to reconnect with the more queer-coded style she had in her 20s. I think everyone understands that weird, thrilling awkwardness of trying on a new look and wondering if it fits. You know, when part of you thinks something looks so cool, and feels so "you" - and then another part of you wonders if it's really "you" and can you even pull it off? It's such a funny little identity crisis.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
We very much shot the script Krista wrote, and Krista has the enviable skill of writing very well, very quickly. The biggest evolution were all the weird bits and gags all the performers brought to their characters. Everyone in the film has spent a lot of time being funny, so they all came with fun ideas and we sort of "yes and'ed" everything in. The crew was tiny, but brilliant and everyone in every role also added funny little details (and made it look and sound more expensive than it was), so it was a big, collaborative party.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The consistent feedback, positive and negative, has been that the film is "silly." We've gotten a few festival rejections based on this feedback. We were also incredibly lucky to have our world premiere at SXSW (who said the film was silly). So, we tried to make s silly film and it seems that we succeeded.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I think I was surprised that "silly" perceived as negative by online screeners, since the film plays so well in a program of more serious films. I just hope they saw the heart, too - since there's an optimistic little fable about being yourself among all the silliness. It's a fun challenge. For my next film, I'd love to try to make something that keeps the spirit of this film that feels more grounded and pleases the anti-silly crowd.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would love to connect with the festival programmers and audiences looking for this kind of comedy, especially LGBTQ+ festivals - because of the subject matter and the team that made it, but also all kinds of people looking for 7 minutes of laughter and escape.
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 programmers and online journalists who can get Gay Haircut in front of as many people as possible.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
My last short, I'm an Expert Haggler at Garage Sales, was based on a brilliant story in McSweeney's by Jory John. The film ended up being watched by McSweeney's fans and, weirdly, a lot of people who spend time in the Reddit garage sale community. If we could reach anyone who's ever had, or thought about getting, a gay haircut - and make them laugh, that would be the dream.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What's the boldest statement you ever made with your hair, and what did that feel like?
Would you like to add anything else?
I just want to thank you for supporting short films!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Krista is pitching a TV pilot and working on a feature film script. I'm excitedly waiting for her to write another short script and we'll shoot it right away.
Interview: March 2022
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
Gay Haircut
Length:
7:30
Writer
KRISTA FATKA is a seasoned performer who brings a breadth of experience and some questionable life choices to her work on stage and screen. As a stand up comic, Krista is sassy but accessible. In the semi-autobiographical short Gay Haircut, she brings vulnerability and silliness to her confessional style of storytelling which often features whomever she happens to be dating.
Director
JUDE HARRIS is a trans-femme filmmaker living and working in Los Angeles. She has a BFA in Film, Animation and Video from the Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA in Directing from UCLA. Since receiving her MFA, she has worked as a producer of films and series including Hulu’s 69: The Saga of Danny Hernadez, Starz’ Half the Picture, MTV’s anniversary reboot of the animated series Liquid TV, and the Craig Brewer/Lynn Shelton MTV series $5 Cover.
Throughout her career she’s also directed her own work, including music videos for Adult Swim and Innovative Leisure, the NYTVF official selection animated pilot B.F.E., the short film I’m an Expert Haggler at Garage Sales, written by NY Times Bestselling Author Jory John and starring Corporate’s Matt Ingebretson, and the 2022 SXSW short comedy Gay Haircut.
Producer
Partners in love and filmmaking, Krista Fatka & Jude Harris make comedy together as "G4G Films" (they are both Geminis).
Key cast:
Krista Fatka, Zach Holmes, Merrill Davis, Mitchell Lamar
Looking for:
journalists, film festival directors
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/judehopeharris
Instagram:
http://instagram.com/judehopeharris
Hashtags used:
#gayhaircut
More info: