Pamela Harris

En Route July 2, 2017

Last month I directed a short film called "En Route." I ended up co-writing, it, too. The photo above is a production still from the set, a car. That’s me in the way back, making notes. In front are the actors getting ready for the next take. The arm you see is the DP resetting the camera.

The opportunity came in the side door versus my trying to push through the front, which is how a lot of breaks happen in my life. An actor from Wynn’s asked me if I’d give her notes on a short film she was writing for herself and another actor (who was also the producer). The script was about estranged sisters, something I know a lot about. In the film, the sisters drive together to the one-year memorial of their deceased brother and need to find the connection they lost long ago. The story was extremely ambitious for a six-minute short film.

I gave notes, she did another draft, and I gave her notes on that. After the third draft the script got very interesting to me and I told her I’d love to direct it. She said there was already a director attached. We went another round on the script and then a few weeks later I got an email from her asking if I still wanted to direct the short. I immediately said yes.

Directing is a crazy amount of work. I loved almost every second of it. There are so many moving parts to making a film and I don’t know how I knew what to do but I did. Years ago I spent a lot of time crewing my way around the set and all that experience was right there with me. Working with cast I got to put into play what I learned from Wynn. From start to finish, even during very stressful or intense moments - bad weather, camera glitches, losing light, editing - I stayed in the flow of it all. We all did. What helped was I had a very clear vision for what I wanted (and made look books to share that vision). Our shoot was calm and even fun, despite how dramatic the script was and the emotional places the actors went. The whole project was so satisfying. Now I want to make a feature.

I don’t know what made me anxious whenever I thought about directing my own project. Maybe it was not wanting to embarrass myself. Maybe it was old shit. Whatever it was, I’m way over it.


Comments

Hi Paul,

I knew you had a few children, but didn't know you had six! Sounds like you have a memoir brewing with all the action you describe.

We're applying to festivals so I can't put a link up yet. As soon as I can, I will.

Thanks.

Pamela | August 7, 2017 at 05:09 pm

Are we getting any closer to sharing the link? Whenever you can share it, I'm ready to see it.
You may or may not know, although I believe I've mentioned it before, but I have 6 children: one son, and 5 daughters, 4 natural, and one stepdaughter. Two of the girls are twins, and they have had very aggressive lifestyles, but each views the same situation in completely different ways. To get away from the Fast Lane in Miami, one moved to Cali to run a legal pot farm with her boyfriend. She totally stopped drinking, which was the crux of her problems. The one that stayed here sells luxury real estate, and, oddly enough, smokes pot on a daily basis. Anyway, one of the 2 dogs they had died last week, and the Cali twin flew home to be there with Moby Dog , and each other, during his last hours. To listen to the conversation between them during that period was a full length movie all by itself. I can't wait to see yours.

Paul Murphy | August 4, 2017 at 03:46 pm

So many ways creative inputs come into it!

Rod Kessler | July 6, 2017 at 10:11 am

I can't share the link yet, but as soon as I can I'll post it.

pamela | July 3, 2017 at 09:06 am

Are you allowed to share the film? Love to see it.

Paul Murphy | July 2, 2017 at 05:11 pm

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