MATURITY AIRS TONIGHT!

Photo: Krittin Patkuldilok

Photo: Krittin Patkuldilok

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The show is a half-hour comedy about a senior living facility in the Bronx.  It follows a nurse, who has just relocated from Kansas to New York, as she starts her new job working with a very lively group of senior residents (who are not above a little hazing).  However, her past may not be as far behind her as she thinks....

I am so in love with the incredible team that came together to make this pilot a reality-- especially our AMAZING cast, who brought it to life in ways I couldn't have dreamed possible.  They are such an inspiration, and I have SO MANY ideas for what will happen to them next!

You can check out some of the very cool press surrounding the show here:

Deadline Hollywood Review

Appearance on the Brian Lehrer Show

Cover Story - AM New York

Aphasia NOW AVAILABLE on Amazon Video

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Aphasia, a film I wrote, produced, and acted in, is now available on Amazon (and included with your Amazon Prime membership)!  Check it out here!

The film is a sci-fi drama about the consequences of relying on smart technology, and it premiered in 2015 as an Official Selection of Tribeca Film Festival.  It screened on United Airlines and at the Palm Springs Film Festival, Hell's Half Mile, Nighthawk Shorts Fest and Cinevana Istanbul.

Official Artist: NYTVF

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It's been an amazing week at NYTVF!  I've learned so much from the good people at CAA, ICM, Warner Bros, HBO, FOX, Hulu, and more.  I owe a huge THANK YOU to Made in NY and NY MOME for inviting me to the festival as an Official Artist this year for my original comedy series, MATURITY (airing this January!)

The show is a half-hour comedy about a senior living facility in the Bronx.  We are putting the finishing touches on it this week.  Massive gratitude to our incredible post and creative teams who have been pouring their love into making this show the best it can possibly be, especially Jamie Zelermyer, my incredible EP who has been such a phenomenal collaborator and fearless leader!

COMPATIBILITY at Hell's Half Mile and Online!

Making COMPATIBILITY was an incredible experience form start to finish.  I was fortunate to have the chance to be directed by my fellow Tribeca Film Festival alum, Jack Marchetti; I worked for the very first time with my producing soul mate, Ruya Koman; and I finally had the chance to collaborate with artists I had wanted to work with for years.

The film recently made its world premiere as part of Hell's Half Mile Film Festival, where I had the pleasure of screening Aphasia a few years back.  This programming team and their audience are nothing by supportive and enthusiastic about independent film.  

The short asks "What would the world be like if your computer could tell you who your soulmate was?"  It is part of a larger feature which we are currently putting together, and it is now available online!   Check it out!

Writer/director: Jack Marchetti; starring John Kroft and Robin Rose Singer; produced by Robin Rose Singer and Ruya Koman; Director of Photography: Daniel Katz.

What if it were possible to predict the success of a relationship before the first date? Compatibility is a proof of concept short based on my upcoming feature film whose screenplay was a 2015 Academy Nicholl Fellowship quarterfinalist. It's about a Facebook engineer who builds an algorithm to test his romantic compatibility with an attractive tech journalist using their Facebook profile data. Directed by Jack Marchetti Written by Jack Marchetti & Brian Marchetti Produced by Robin Rose Singer, Ruya Koman, Heather DiPietro Director of Photography: Daniel Katz Starring: John Kroft, Robin Rose Singer, Austin Scott, Hannah Duncan, Christie Maturo and Christina Rose. http://compatibility.io 2017 Official Selection Hell's Half Mile Film and Music Festival Short of the Week : https://oneroomwithaview.com/2017/08/28/short-of-the-week-compatibility/

NO KICKS LEFT BEHIND Shortlisted for Fellowship

NO KICKS LEFT BEHIND, a feature I wrote with Lai Cheung, has been shortlisted for the Orb Media Group's China-Hollywood Screenwriting Fellowship.  The advisors for this program, which includes a cross-cultural trip to China, have brought to life some pretty massive films including the RUSH HOUR films, HACKSAW RIDGE, CORALINE, WAYNE'S WORLD, ROBOT & FRANK and many more, and we are so excited to have a chance to work with them.  

NO KICKS is a family-driven story centering around brother and sister martial artists, rebuilding their relationship after their father passes away suddenly.  This shortlist represents the top 8% of entries to the program.

More info here: https://screencraft.org/2017/03/23/orb-media-group-china-hollywood-screenwriting-fellowship-semifinalists-announced/

 

MAN-BABIES, a new comedy series

Thrilled to announce that pre-production has begun on the half-hour mystery-comedy, MAN-BABIES.  The show is written and directed by Tyler Hollinger (co-written by Colin Smith.)   

I play Miranda, the girlfriend of the main character, Charlie (played by Tyler himself) in this fascinating meditation on gender norms, YouTube fame, and scientific impossibilities.

Casting is underway and we are all really excited to bring this hysterical project to life in early March.

More about the project below!

MAN-BABIES
Series Overview
30 Min Comedy/Mystery
Created by Tyler Hollinger
Written by Tyler Hollinger & Colin Smith

In the vein of classic cinematic masterpieces like the perennial “Junior”, “Man-Babies” is a timeless male pregnancy story with a twist. In a land not so far away, Brooklyn to be exact, one person struggles with both the hardships and the magic of birthing life... too bad he is a man and this is 2017 where a pregnant man is about as accepted as a Trump presidential victory. Charlie, a naïve-but-likeable writer with a vivid imagination, a taste for spicy foods and a penchant for miniature pigs is ambushed by reality when 12 pregnancy tests come back positive and the crushing reality that he is the first pregnant man EVER comes knocking at his door. 

When Charlie learns of this anomaly, almost by accident he is forced to confide in his less-than-receptive girlfriend, Miranda, who may or may not be the mother of the child. Meanwhile his erstwhile best friend, the bearded Eli, is more than excited and thinks pre-natal visits are a good excuse for Moscow Mules. Charlie is subsequently kicked out of his girlfriend's apartment due to his untimely pregnancy and forced not only to move in with Eli, in his bleak apartment, but the bigger choice of whether or not to keep the child. Charlie realizes that this child is coming to term(s) ... with him! Initially doubtful, now a doting father, Charlie and Eli have created a birthing plan along with matching furniture sets and a house, no a home, ready for a child. 

Little do they know that due to Charlie’s social media fame, his girlfriend Miranda angles to get back in the relationship to revel in the rewards of his snapchat following. Eli and Miranda come to blows in the dramatic conclusion.

Finally, with no-one else to turn to Charlie is forced to bear the child himself and the long dark road toward single parenthood.

 

'MR. RICHARDSON'

I am so proud to announce that 'Mr. Richardson,' the crazy pipe dream I had a few months ago, is now in the final stages of post-production.

In April, my dear friend and frequent collaborator, Ben Kanes, called me up and said, "Hey, let's make a film.  Why don't you write something contained and manageable that we can shoot together some weekend?"  I said I'd be thrilled to.  What resulted was an action-comedy far beyond the scope of what any sane person would ever attempt to make in a week.  Six months, 27 cast members, 40-plus crew members, fights, blood, hand-built props, and a whole lot of love later-- I had directed my first film.

I can't express enough times what a dream of a shoot we had.  So many people from so many different moments of my life and career came together to make this crazy thing happen, and it wouldn't have been the same without any one of them.  

As someone who has been a professional actor and producer for years now, I went into this shoot assuming I would have to make compromises.  (If you ever feel a little too starry-eyed, a gig as a line producer will cure you quickly.)  I feel so lucky to say that my team made this film a total dream to make, and the compromises were precious few.

You can check out that list of incredible humans here.   Follow 'Mr. Richardson' on Instagram or add us on Facebook for more updates!

COMPATIBILITY Wraps Production

How lucky am I to have spent the past few days on set with this cast and crew?

About a year and a half after Jack and I decided to make this film a reality, it has wrapped principal photography, and man... it is beautiful.  I cannot extend enough gratitude to the amazing Ruya Koman, who headed into the fire with me without hesitation.  She's a force of nature, and I hope to be making films with her for years to come.  Daniel Katz, Stew Cantrell, and our entire crew brought this film to life so stunningly, and John Kroft is going to charm the pants off of our future audiences-- mark my words.  It was a dream to work opposite him.

On the set of COMPATIBILITY with John Kroft.  Photo: Ramy Mam.

On the set of COMPATIBILITY with John Kroft.  Photo: Ramy Mam.

Jack and I spent a long time developing this script together, and finally seeing it come to life in such talented hands was really exciting.  We had a top-to-bottom fabulous group of people who went the extra mile to be there and help make this film that much better than it would have been without them.  Can't wait to share this film with an audience!

COMPATIBILITY Starts Pre-Production →

Pre-production has started on the short film version of writer/director, Jack Marchetti's, feature Compatibility.  Jack and I met last April at Tribeca Film Festival when our films premiered in the same short film program back to back.  

I loved his writing since day one and, when his script was shortlisted for the Academy Nicholl last summer, we decided to try to make it a reality.  Currently that's taking the form of a short film/proof-of-concept version, and I'm really looking forward to officially kicking off the journey toward the future.   Jack's script is relevant, smart, and fun, and we're putting a lot of love into this film!

Keep up with us as our team grows here.  

 

LIONS to be Workshopped at NY Stage and Film

So, here's something totally jaw-droppingly insane:  I have been invited to workshop my feature script, The Lions of Mesopotamia,  at New York Stage and Film's Screenwriting Lab this summer.  Given NYSAF's long history developing the work of so many people I've admired (let's face it-- idolized) for years, I'm kind of at a loss to accurately express how cool this is.  

Having early development support and feedback is such a blessing.  This film took me almost two years to research and write.  But it took many people's lives to create.  

For the Iraqis who have been generous, brave, and open enough to share their stories with me, thank you, and I hope I make you proud.

More about The Lions of Mesopotamia here.

More about NYSAF here.

 

Aphasia comes to United Airlines!

Just in time for Spring Break, Aphasia has joined a prestigious list of blockbusters and indies on United Airlines' March entertainment lineup (yes, that's Star Wars and Creed on the same page as us!!!  WHOA).  I wrote, produced, and starred in this film, and it had the honor of making its world premiere at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival last April.  

One more reason to hop a flight to Miami for the weekend!  As though you needed one....

SHORTLISTED: "Interference" makes the ScreenCraft Semifinals!

"Interference," my newest script, has been shortlisted for a very generous and exciting production grant from the wonderful souls at ScreenCraft and BondIt.  The grant is decided by Alice Khalroubi, head of the Cannes Film Festival Court Métrage, and Ira Sachs, an incredibly talented filmmaker who has taken many films to Sundance (including this year's Little Men), Berlinale, and more. 

If awarded, "Interference" will be my directorial debut.  It tells the story of a couple that encounters a traffic stop between an African-American civilian and a police officer that leaves one man dead.  They must decide who to believe and what they are willing to risk to do something about it.  It's a film that's very close to me emotionally and one that I feel absolutely needs to be made.

A very kind, anonymous reader from the BlueCat Screenplay Competition (which it's also still in the running for) returned this note on it:  "Tackling a topical social issue, this script shows the fear and complications that arise from murky circumstances where prejudices hold more weight than truths.  Without preaching or reducing people to stereotypes, the story reflects a nuanced and critical understanding of the ways a situation can spiral out of control despite the best of intentions."

Feel free to send along some extra good vibes.  I won't be mad at you for it.

 

Five New Shorts!

Operation Toy Drop with Captain Malloy.  Photo by Benjamin Kanes.

Operation Toy Drop with Captain Malloy.  Photo by Benjamin Kanes.

What a way to end the year, working on FIVE new projects back to back!  It’s been a wild ride with some of the most diverse storytelling I’ve ever done in such a short period of time, and man, am I proud of this lineup.

Here are a few first glimpses of these projects as they start to roll out:

OPERATION: TOY DROP, a short documentary about the 82nd Airborne’s combined airborne operation and charity event, written and directed by Benjamin Kanes.  I was fortunate enough to head down to Fort Bragg with Ben’s company, Vision Pictures, (along with his partner, John Welsh) to capture some incredibly moving stories of life as a paratrooper. 

Madame Helena will see you now. "The Seance." Photo: Leigh Scott.

Madame Helena will see you now. "The Seance." Photo: Leigh Scott.

THE SEANCE, a short 1920’s black and white horror film written and directed by Leigh Scott.  I play Madame Helena, a spooky psychic with an accent that’s impossible to place.  I channel spirits on behalf of the ladies who seek my skills in communicating with the dead, but someone seems to have an ulterior motive… 

CORNELIA, a dramedy web series about a Latino family’s experience with gentrification in the neighborhood they’ve loved for decades, Bushwick, Brooklyn, directed by Eric Lommel & Adam Lowder, written by Rose Gutierrez.   I play Tori Cruz, the conniving wife of the main character’s old high school flame (yep, I'm kind of a bitch!  Fun!).  This is a heartfelt and relevant look at the way we navigate cultural differences and changing times, plus the cast is sooooo goooood.

ENTANGLEMENT, a short narrative drama directed by Jeremiah Kipp, written by Joe Fiorillo.  Two strangers in New York City meet in person for the first time and may just change each other’s lives in a poetic meditation on relationships and infidelity.  I play Jenny, the female lead, who has an affair with a mysterious stranger.  This is my second collaboration with Jeremiah and Joe (after last year’s “The Minions”), and my third time on screen with the inimitable Lukas Hassel, an actor who I love, trust implicitly, and am forever grateful for.  It’s always refreshing to work with a DP who knows how to make women shine on camera-- I had been looking forward to working with Dominick Sivilli for a long time, and it was worth the wait.

Still from Entanglement.  Photo: Dominick Sivilli.

Still from Entanglement.  Photo: Dominick Sivilli.

INTERFERENCE, a short drama about a couple who happens upon a traffic stop between a police officer and an African-American civilian that leaves one man dead, written by…. me.  I finished writing the script for what I hope will be my directorial debut.  Taking on a controversial topic like this made me incredibly nervous (and still does)--it's important to me to get this story right. 

The first professional coverage of “Interference” included the best screenwriting note I’ve ever gotten: “Tackling a topical social issue, this script about racism shows the fear and complications that arise from murky circumstances where prejudices hold more weight than truths. Without preaching or reducing people to stereotypes, the story reflects a nuanced and critical understanding of the ways a situation can spiral out of control despite the best of intentions.”

All in all, it’s been a wild ride these past few months.   The fun thing about shorts is that you get thrown into a world packed with the “greatest hits” moments of a story.  It's fast and intense, and there's less risk involved for the filmmakers, so as an actor I get a lot more leeway in the types of roles I play and the way I play them.  Not a bad way to round out a beautiful year!

FEATURED: FilmInk Magazine

This month I'm proud to share a couple of pages with some incredibly talented people in FilmInk's feature "New York's First Women of Indie Film."  (Click on the cover to check out the full article.)  I've looked up to a lot of these artists for awhile now, and it's crazy to me to even be mentioned on the same page as them.  Their films are fantastic, and they should absolutely be at the top of your watch list.

It takes a special kind of soul to make a living in filmmaking.  That goes for every department from production to catering to the (horribly under-recognized) stunt teams.  I like to think that's what makes us more ideologically similar than we are biologically different.

There are some GREAT people in this industry.  Really.  Substantial human beings who want to make meaningful, exciting work.  I've been lucky to deal mainly with the ones who recognize me as an individual and not a demographic, but it's not always like that, and many of my friends (again, of all genders) have faced different experiences.

It's been over fifty years since Lucille Ball (and all the network execs who greenlit the show) put interracial marriage to an immigrant on national television, and we're still sorting this out.  I guess people are slow to "officially" change.  Personally, I don't know any other way to do it than to just do it.  

To me, the best art comes from anger, rebellion, injustice, and tragedy, way more often than it comes from comfort.   I do think that fighting for your place in the world is healthy and makes you a better person and artist.  Hopefully, that philosophy will not one day bite me in the ass.  But I can't make any promises.