Fizzle
Eight strangers, one party, social pitfalls and a host of inhibitions intertwine in a comic take on the states of being we see in ourselves and others.
Interview with Producer Ingrid Saxon and Writer Gilbert Girion
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Fizzle is originally a play by Gilbert Girion, who was invited by Robert Woodruff at The Bay Area Playwrights Festival to attend an Invited Writers Workshop led by Sam Shepard. The following year, Girion was invited back to the festival as Playwright-In-Residence. In addition to Palm 90, which he co-wrote, he wrote and directed Fizzle.
Fizzle was later done at The West Bank Cafe in New York City. It was very well received and brought back by popular demand. Among the other very fine actors, Julianne Moore had the distinguished role of Simply The Maid.
Enter Ingrid Saxon (Producer, Actress, Singer & Vocal Instructor) who is very familiar with Girion's work. When she first read Fizzle, she immediately envisioned it as a film and felt compelled to make it. She tapped the incredible Jeremiah Kipp to direct and assembled a stellar team of actors that began with Peter Friedman, Geoffrey Owens, Caitlin O'Connell and James Strouse. Following that she enlisted Steve Coats, Marisa Brau, Jennifer Plotzke and herself to round out the cast!
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you’ve found yourself in a social situation or a party, where you felt awkward and uncomfortable, then you just might recognize yourself in our film. Gilbert Girion’s writing follows these characters in their stuck worlds, and somehow makes it funny.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The recognition of seeing our characters going through their experiences underneath the facades that they put up, allows the audience member to feel that they are not alone.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Gilbert originally wrote and directed this at the Bay Area Playwrights Festival with a much lighter comedic feel. It was then done at the West Bank Cafe in NY (with Julianne Moore in the role of Simply The Maid). When I decided to make it into a film, I sent the script to Jeremiah Kipp. He took it to a much deeper level, which really enhanced the piece.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
As far as feedback, here’s a great quote from a recent review by Richard Propes which says so beautifully a lot of the feedback that we’ve received - "In fact, Fizzle is the best kind of comedy because it’s laughs are genuine and true, and borne out of real life in all its weirdest and quirkiest and darkest moments when we so often become defined by our obsessions and controlled by our stuckness in this thing we call the human condition."
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not really. We are happy that for the most part, people are “getting” what we intended. And that’s a good feeling.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We are interested in distribution and streaming options for Fizzle, so that more people have the opportunity to see it. We are also looking for collaborators, producers, and angels for our future projects.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We are always interested in reviews and interviews for Fizzle and future projects. We would love to ultimately see Fizzle find a home on one of the larger streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon and Criterion.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We are proud of our film. From the writing, directing, acting, cinematography, lighting, sound, music, editing, and coloring.
We feel that the feel and look of our film is like another character. We want people to see themselves, and to feel that they’re not alone. We are also interested in visibility for Gilbert Girion’s work. He is a prolific writer, and we have many projects that we would like to see realized with creatives who we really resonate with.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film
How comfortable are you in your own skin? Have you ever felt that you just don’t fit in?
Would you like to add anything else?
I just want to thank everyone involved in creating Fizzle. A shout out to our Line Producer, Camden Elizabeth, who helped us put together such a great team. And especially our Associate Producers Jennifer Plotzke and Marisa Reyes-Brau, for their beautiful performances and also for their expertise and support. I realize how important it is to be surrounded by a gifted and like-minded team.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Ingrid is currently in Pre-Production for her first feature length film, Mountain Of Night, by Gilbert Girion, which takes place in a Mobile Home Retirement Community in Cathedral City, CA. Director Jeremiah Kipp's feature film Slapface recently had its World Premiere at Cinequest Film Festival and will have its UK Premiere at the Arrow Video FrightFest 2021.
Interview: July 2021
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
Fizzle
Length:
29:35
Writer
Gilbert Girion is a playwright and screenwriter. He has been commissioned to write plays by New Writers, Overtones Theatre and the New York Shakespeare Festival (NYSF). Nominated by the NYSF, he was the recipient of a Drama League Grant. Girion wrote the film American Blue Note which was released in 1992. His short film Let Go premiered at the 1997 Hamptons Film Festival. He has collaborated with Wayne Wang, Joseph Chaikin, and Bill Hart. He received a 1997/1998 Playwriting Commission from Playwrights Horizons and was invited by Robert Woodruff to the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, where he served as Playwright-in-Residence. Girion taught Screenwriting and Storytelling at Manhattan’s School of Visual Arts.
Director
Jeremiah Kipp - Award Winning writer, producer and director with over ten years experience creating narrative and commercial films. Through his work, he has the proven ability to provide the highest level of visual direction, story development and work with actors. His latest feature Slapface recently had its world premiere at the Cinequest Film Festival.
Producer
Ingrid Saxon - Actress, Singer, Vocal Coach, and Producer. Most recently she produced and acted in Gilbert Girion's play The Last Word. Currently in talks for her first Feature Film.
Key cast:
Peter Friedman (Man Who Bores), Geoffrey Owens (Man Who Sneezes), Ingrid Saxon (Woman Who Yearns Twice), Jennifer Plotzke (Woman Who Watches), Caitlin O'Connell (Woman Who Feels Pinned), James Strouse (Man Who Wasn't Invited), Steve Coats (Man Who Plays Piano), Marisa Brau (Simply, the Maid).
Looking for:
distributors
Social media
http://facebook.com/fizzlebygilbertgirion
http://twitter.com/fizzlethefilm
http://instagram.com/fizzlethefilm
Hashtags used:
#fizzle #fizzlethefilm
Where can I watch it?
Action on Film International Film festival, Las Vegas: 7/28 11 am