Ruth Gamble's Directorial Debut Sort Of: Subtext

Kirk Mason and Dana Weddle, who play the characters Kirk and Dana, the founders of the production company Kirkendana, asked me to direct their first short film, or as they endearingly call it, a little film.

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It was an honor to be asked and seriously one of my favorite experiences working on a creative project in my whole life! Their relaxed attitude combined with their openness, positivity, and sense of humor, balanced with their extreme attention to detail and goal of getting things done efficiently and as well as possible, resulted in a day of fun and productivity!

I'd like to thank the neighborhood we filmed in. But I think they'd find it creepy if I went door to door to say it, or mailed them Thank You Cards, or wrote it in sky-writing above their homes. So I'll say it here and hope they feel it in their heart. The neighborhood has lamp post-lined, green streets filled with mansions. Since we shot on a weekend day, many many families were out walking together, more than I ever knew walk in Los Angeles, and they all gave us beaming smiles and good energy. I am beyond grateful for that. 

Michael Dalke, Dana's life-long best friend, was our Director of Photography and it was his first time ever using their new Canon 60D! He is gifted singer with a background in dance and I believe his eye for body sculpting seamlessly translated into an eye for great film shot sculpting. He was sparkling to work with. 

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I'd also like to thank the eldest member of the cast, Toshi, for his strength, patience, maturity, for understanding "Quiet on the set" & his Oscar-winning acting instinct.

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Ellen Taylor was our sound person and she, too, had not been a sound person before. Her patience, positivity, care, and ability to take direction was fully appreciated by the rest of us. Her thin frame also came in handy while we tried to hide her behind skinny trees throughout the day. Thank you Ellen!

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And to top it off, Mr. Baby John Alsop, the quiet-about-his-geniusness-with-music-writing-and-chocolate-box-film-equipment-craftsmanship-and-sock-puppet-mutilation-props-and-long-distance-bicycling-like-from-Big-Bear-to-Hollywood friend of ours, said he would happily write an original score for our film. It was his first time writing music for a film, unless you count his Jesus and Einstein film. Which we totally count.

And although I've directed two other short films, this was the first where I story boarded the film and researched how to set up film shots. It felt like the first time I was truly directing! And I learned so much. 

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And it was the first time Kirk and Dana were shooting as Kirkendana. So it was a day of firsts for all of us! And what a gorgeous day it was. Here is the result of our labor/ playtime:

Subtext - watch more funny videos

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Below is the ADORABLE film introducing Kirkendana's company 
and their first film, Subtext :)