5Q's w/Sheila E. Schroeder "Scary Lucy" Producer

#1: Can you describe your movie and why somebody should see it?

Who names their breasts Lucy and Ethel? We’ve got some splainin’ to do as Scary Lucy reveals all in this comedy about tackling our fears. #ProjectDUF.I.L.M. #ScaryLucythemove #breastcancerawareness #LucilleBall

#2: What do you want the Borrego Springs Film Festival audience to know about your film that isn’t obvious from its title?

The inspiration for Scary Lucy is the original statue dedicated to Lucille Ball that sits on the shores of Lake Chatauqua in Celeron, NY where Lucy grew up. This statue, known around the world as Scary Lucy, was a tragic and confounding rendition of the queen of comedy that was later supplanted by a gorgeous 800 bronze statue known as “Loveable Lucy.” You can see more about this controversy here. Combine this bizarre story with a breast cancer scare and you have the recipe for Scary Lucy. The statue was painstakingly recreated for our film which was shot entirely in Colorado and directed by Marteene Diaz. In the film the statue becomes a metaphor for the protagonist’s own health battle.

#3: What is your movie making background?

Tell us about yourself. For the last 22 years I’ve been teaching film at the University of Denver. Having created documentary films during the start of my career, I turned to fiction filmmaking in 2015. Just after the death of my dad, my partner and I came up with an idea for a short fiction film based on a true Valentine’s Day encounter at a restaurant. That screenplay became Happy F-ing Valentine’s Day, a short comedy about how we overcome grief. The film was the first created through a program I started called Project DU F.I.L.M. (film initiative linking mentors) whereby alumni and students come together to make professional quality films. Scary Lucy is the second such film made using this model. In addition to being a mentorship, our goal is to combat inequality in the filmmaking industry by creating inclusive films designed to change the face of filmmaking in front of and behind the camera. We focus on creating films featuring a diverse range of characters and staff our productions with a crew reflective of the population at large making sure women, people of color and members of the LGBTQ communities are well represented.

#4: What was the biggest lesson learned in getting your film made?

The biggest lesson learned during the making of Scary Lucy is to surround yourself with passionate people. Filmmaking is truly better when you are collaborating. Huge props go out to director, Marteene Diaz, cinematographer, Frazer Lockhart, production designer, Angela Forster and Assistant Producer, Oanh Le who are just a small sampling of folks who made this film possible.

#5: What does the future hold for your film and you?

Scary Lucy is at the end of her festival run (20 festivals!) and we’re looking for ways to make it widely available. I have packaged two scenes (including all the raw footage, director’s notes, script etc.) and made that available. Anyone can download the assets and edit the scenes. Check it out @ Editmedia.org. Project DU F.I.L.M. will be filming our third short in December 2019. Hunting Season takes on the topic of toxic masculinity and its effects on women and children. I’ll be directing a fiction film for the first time as my primary roles have been as writer and producer. Many thanks to the Borrego Springs Film Festival and all you do for film and filmmakers. Long live film!