Today I spoke with Jason Victor Everett, director/writer/producer of the Sitdown, a short film showcased in the “Find Your Voice” set of films that screened the final day of the 2010 Newport Beach Film Festival. This short film asks the question: How do concerned foster parents cope with today's generation of violent wayward youth? What guidance can be offered to the adopted offspring of abusive homes and troubled streets? Perhaps delivering a few stern words is still the best place to start...
A: We've been hearing good things about the festival from various sources for a while now, but the Newport Beach festival was portrayed in an especially good light in the documentary entitled "Official Rejection," which we saw about two months ago. After attending this year, we can happily attest to the festival's rave reviews. They really care a lot about the filmmakers and audiences at NBFF.
Q: Tell a little about the story of your film and the production of it.
A: THE SITDOWN is a short comedic piece we put together in early 2009. It's about a concerned foster parent providing advice to a troubled wayward youngster. We shot it over the course of two weekends in my living room.
Q: Tell a little about yourself and your story in filmmaking.
A: Seems like it's been a long road, since I had sort of an unfortunate detour along the way known as law school. While working in the legal world in the years since graduation and trying to pay down huge student loans, I attended film classes at night and started up a small production company named Sound & Fury Productions. We were lucky to start playing the festival circuit with THE SITDOWN in late 2009, which was the first short film out of that venture. I also want to acknowledge the efforts of Olivia Lee, a very talented graphic designer by day, who helped immensely with THE SITDOWN in terms of both the production and promotional process.
Q: Your take on the performances of the lead actors, (set backs, triumphs, impressions, good surprises, etc.)
A: Hmmm ... well given that the lead performance was from a non-actor (unfortunately yours truly), I'd have to say the acting was especially weak!
Q: What do you do when not making a smash indie film?
A: Well, as I have a very very long way to go before ever making a "smash indie film," I'd say in my spare time (what is that? some kind of foreign concept?) I'm doing my best to hopefully make semi-competent short films. But most of the time I'm working the non-film day job, which is both a blessing (glad to be working in this economy) and maybe a curse, since it takes up so much time and energy. In sum, I truly believe I have consumed enough 5-Hour Energy over the past two years that I could be their official spokesperson by now.
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