The next shoot for Happy Hour isn't until December, but that doesn't mean your crazy Director hasn't been hard at work on other projects!

YouTube posted a contest asking people to make a 2-7 minute film that included the following:
1.) Someone passing a picture
2.) The line of dialog "I demand an explanation for these shenanigans! What do you have to say?"
3.) A character facing a situation above his/her maturity level.

At first I thought I didn't have the time to do this - but then, at the last minute, I decided to go for it. I wrote a short script, recruited two actors from Craigslist (more on that later), cast Mick's daughter in one of the parts and somehow - after lining up three different possible locations - ended up invading Mick's house on a Saturday night to shoot!

I didn't have time to audition the people from Craigslist, so I went with my gut - and boy did I luck out.

Amanda Vacharat (above left) - who plays the older sister Jenny - came with her lines memorized and was a complete pro. She "got" the character right away and I was really pleased with her performance.

Daniel Ellis (above right) already had professional experience and a music career, but he was completely dedicated to my little film, and never complained when he was slapped, or rolling around on the cold basement floor! And did I mention he's a hell of an actor?

Of course, I can't forget to mention Faith McCleery, who for a 10 year-old has a real instinct for acting. The camera just loves her and she even had *her* lines memorized! That's more than I can say for the Happy Hour cast most of the time! ;)

Anyway, I feel really lucky that everything worked out - and I hope we make the top 20, so people can vote!

If you want to watch my submission, here it is:

To see all of the other entries, check out this playlist, kindly put together by a fellow youtuber: Project: Direct Playlist

And wish me luck!!! :)