I was recently able to talk with one of my favorite people to collaborate with, CRIS FELIPE, she’s a multi-talented force of nature! Combination of a comedian, actor, writer, personal trainer, reiki master, and now directing her first short film!

Here’s my chat with CRIS.

“Arbitrary” was the first time I felt like I successfully expressed, as a writer, the anxiousness of voicing insecurities. It was important to me to capture the moment we decide to beat our fear of rejection or judgement, and speak up about who we are and how we feel.  Specifically, this piece is about gender identity and body image issues accrued from toxic childhood. I wanted to write about someone taking the leap to free themselves of past burdens.

I cast Jeremy Pace because upon getting his feedback from reading the script, his was the most understanding and personally impacted response I had gotten so far. I got this clear knowing that he felt exactly what the story is about and so he is a very valuable teammate.

We are planning on sending this short to festivals. One of the reactions I get a lot from people who have read the script is that they wish they knew more people they could have these types of conversations with. I feel that this captures that almost secret part of us that really wants to have deep fantastical and very real conversations where we can expose our insecurities safely, and so I am excited to see what kind of reaction this piece will receive at festivals.

“Arbitrary” is my professional short film Directorial debut. I did go to film school for directing and acting and made student films there but outside of that setting, this is my first project where I get to portray my personal vision of a story or scene. I’m a little nervous but really overall excited and very much looking forward to it. I always say there is nothing I would rather do in this world but to tell stories, and here I am!