MAUDIE

I'm finally ready to release the final version of Maudie to the world. It didn't get a whole lot of traction in the film festival circuit (although it showed multiple times at LA Women's International and won the audience award for Best Film in the category we showed in at San Luis Obispo International). I think there are several reasons for this, outside of the fact it's a little long to play before feature films and is a little imperfect in scope due to the fact we originally just set out to make a small film for The Germ. I never had the time and budget to get the pre-production exactly right, and definitely didn't have the support getting the post-production where I had hoped.  I can't tell if it feels too heavy-handed to me in hindsight, or perhaps not heavy-handed enough. But, at it's core, I think the message is still pure of heart and relevant, even a few years later. Guess that's what happens when you use something classic like To Kill A Mockingbird as an inspiration. Regardless of content or lasting power, the process of making this film was a great learning experience for me as a director (and a producer, for that matter) and it marks the first time Kyle (my DP) and I did something together outside of commercial work. We've worked on multiple projects together since and I think our creative relationship has continued to blossom and develop to one where, as we both grow individually, we evolve as partners as well. (We worked  a couple things in the past few months that should be out soon, in fact.) So many other people helped make this film possible, including cast members and crew who came out a year after the original footage was shot, and friends who helped provide location options, props, and other support. I am grateful to all of them, and can't express how good it felt to have a full crew of talented folks supporting me on this film, after spending many of my first film projects multi-tasking in several roles while the few friends I could convince to help out did the same. 

Anyway, enjoy! And stay tuned. Something else should be poppin' up in the next month or so.

Maudie (2017) from Haley White on Vimeo.