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A golfer and his caddy have a very difficult conversation on the green.
Interview with Writer/Director/Actor Julia Bales
Watch Golf! here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! I wanted to make something different from any of my other work.
Golf! came to be in a few different phases. I knew I wanted to write something that was set in a more 'masculine' world. At first, I thought that would be billiards, but it eventually turned into a golf course due to budget and time. I really wanted to explore the custom of apologizing by proxy. It’s a weird survival instinct people have that I find it really interesting. It's something that we do that's both ridiculous and serious, and that's exactly what I wanted for Golf! . From there, I figured out the narrative of Hank and Bud, which felt like an important conversation to show and socially relevant. I also knew I wanted to play the lead role of Hank. I feel like women don't get a chance to play the 'dress-up' character as often as men do, so I thought I'd give myself that challenge.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This short film drops you into the life of a sad man who doesn’t get that he is the problem. It's something that I think a lot of people can relate to... and it just so happens that the main character is played by a young woman.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I think everyone at some point in their lives has been on either end of an apology where they're so embarrassed by their actions, that they ask someone else to say ’sorry’ for them. In that way, you can relate to either Bud or Hank.
There's also the theme of status. In general, golf is a very expensive sport that creates a separation between those who are playing it and working it. Whether or not you play golf, this is a theme that runs our society.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Throughout the development, the script remained pretty much locked, but the performance of Hank and Bud changed a lot. Once I could fully find Hank's character the dynamic between Bud and Hank really flourished and changed to what you see on screen.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Everyone has been very supportive and positive. It's great to see people connecting with the short.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I hope this can inspire someone else to make something out of their comfort zone!
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
It would be great if journalists connected with Golf! I think it would really help to amplify the film's message.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope people just keep watching and sharing!
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Is 'sorry' enough?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Julia Bales is currently finishing an adaptation of a book into a feature film as well as writing her next short film.
Golf! poster
Interview: August 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
Golf!
A golfer and his caddy have a very difficult conversation on the green.
Length: 7:20
Director: Julia Bales
Producer: Jim Cummings
Writer: Julia Bales
About the writer, director and producer:
JULIA BALES is a writer/director based in Los Angeles. She is a Vimeo staff picked filmmaker with projects streaming on multiple major platforms, as well as festivals around the world.
JIM CUMMINGS is a filmmaker based in Los Angeles. His feature, Thunder Road, can be seen on most major streaming platforms as well as iTunes.
Key cast: Julia Bales (Hank), Bud Galloway (Bud), Chris Doubek (Bill), Dustin Hahn (Steve)
Looking for: film festival directors, journalists
Facebook: Julia Bales
Twitter: @juliabailz
Instagram: @julia1sabella
Hashtags used: #comedy #narrative #drama #womeninfilm #golf
Website: www.julia-bales.com
Other: Vimeo
Funders: Kickstarter
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Hollyshorts/Los Angeles(Aug 16th); Vimeo.com (live now!)
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Interview with Director Marielle Elena Woods
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I made this film as part of the AFI Directing Workshop for Women and I wanted to portray an action heroine I hadn't quite seen before. All I want to do is direct action narratives, and ideally ones with multi-faceted, badass-yet-flawed female leads.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Do you want to see a color guard geek transform into a vigilante for justice? Underscored by marching band music? Then tune in!
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Spin is ultimately about finding your place in life, even if it's not what you - or the world - expected. Many of us feel the frustration of untapped potential, of not living up to our own expectations. What’s harder is to admit that maybe there’s a part of us that holds ourselves back. Spin explores these emotions, with a hint of hyperbolic hilarity and some awesome action.
Spin
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The core idea has remained the same ever since I made the visual connection between color guard moves and bo staff-esque martial artistry... and sign spinning. But, as ever, the script, story, and characters evolved through drafts and rounds of notes. The AFI DWW program was instrumental in this process, as, of course, was writer Keith Hahn, which whom I'm now developing the feature film script.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
It's been great! Jenna Boyd, who plays Bridget, has gotten tons of well-deserved praise for nailing both the emotional and physical performance. I couldn't be more grateful to my cast and crew, and I'm looking forward to expanding the world beyond the short. We premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival followed by Cleveland International Film Festival, which is a personal favorite. Soon we play at RIIFF Flickers and Breckenridge! And of course, can't wait for the local LA screening at Salute Your Shorts.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I appreciate any and all feedback, positive or negative. That said, I tend to be my own worst critic so I don't think much surprises me!
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Any opportunity to get female-driven stories out there is a plus.
Behind the scenes of Spin
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Open to any and all!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope audiences leave feeling energized and excited and wanting to see more female-directed and female-led action pieces.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I'm currently in development on a number of scripts and simultaneously working towards my first episodic directing credit.
Spin poster
Interview: August 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
Spin
When a naïve and optimistic color guard captain can’t get a job after college, she must take a gig as a sign spinner to make ends meet. But when she ends up in a turf war with an entitled drug dealer she’s forced to discover her inner badass to take him down.
Length: 14:47
Director: Marielle Woods
Producer: ReKon Productions
Writer: Keith Hahn
Key cast: Jenna Boyd, Henry Knotts, Ruby Cruz
Looking for: journalists, distributors
Facebook: Spin
Instagram: @spin_short_film
Hashtags used: #spinshortfilm #afidww
Website: www.mariellewoods.com
Made in association with: AFI Directing Workshop for Women
Funders: Seed&Spark
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Flickers Rhode Island (August 7), Salute Your Shorts (August 17th), Breckenridge (Sept 20)
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