Wanna know more? Here’s the official skinny:

“Unscreened is a lively evening of four world-premiere short plays by some of Hollywood’s fastest-rising writers and featuring a multi-star cast.

Black Sheep Entertainment and Firefly: Theater & Films created Unscreened to meet two goals: (i) to give brilliant and buzz-generating screen- and TV writers the chance to see their visions fully realized at a pace film and TV cannot accommodate but theater can; and (ii) to work with the well-known actors the writers and producers were meeting with in a way that was collaborative, quick, and equally fun for the creators and the audience. 

The newly announced 2012 class of writers includes Anna Christopher (Sloppy Firsts), Michelle Morgan (Middle of Nowhere, Imogene, and Variety’s “Top Ten Screenwriter’s to Watch”), Dahvi Waller (Mad Men, Eli Stone), and John Whittington (I Hope We Can Still be Friends, Untitled Cyrano de Bergerac Project for Gary Ross and Nina Jacobson). One year ago, the inaugural class of writers – including Emily Halpern, Leslye Headland, Beth Schacter, and Susanna Fogel & Joni Lefkowitz – began developing their short plays with Black Sheep and Firefly, and Unscreened went on to sell out its February and March 2011 eight-week run, with a cast featuring Sarah Agor, Julia Garro, Sprague Grayden, Will Greenberg, Steven Klein, Scott Kradolfer, Zosia Mamet, Michael Stahl-David, Rachael Taylor, Jesse Williams, and Shannon Woodward.

All four of last year’s short plays have gone on to become full projects, three of them with Unscreened cast attached – one has been adapted into a feature film now submitted for the Sundance Lab, one is being workshopped by Second Stage into a full- length play, one is being turned into a TV show concept, and the fourth is being produced as a short film.” 

OFFICE BET is a witty short film about the awkwardness of dating in the digital age told through the story of a two couples operating at very different connection speeds. One couple is “logged in” while the other totally unplugged, yet both find romance in this comedy in the vein of Albert Brooks and Noah Baumbach’s films.

We decided to make this film for a variety of reasons — because the script is fantastic; because I wanted to direct something narrative before directing my one-act play in UNSCREENED in Feb. (the Activia behind-the-scenes internet video doesn’t count as narrative!); because, possibly most excitingly, the OFFICE BET creative team is putting together a feature film of similar tone/themes. We wanted to make a short film together that can act as a proof of concept for both us as a team and the kind of feature we will produce.

I loved my crew and cast. Dominique came on to shoot with her great team (and a killer crane!!) and capture a VIRGIN SUICIDES-inspired look, complete with soft lighting, romantic flares, effortless-looking compositions, long lenses and floaty camera moves.

Dom in red. Technocrane in metal.

I had the opportunity to collaborate with new people like Ed, (pinch hitter UPM ’cause Gabe had to step away to another project) Caity (1st AD), Anatasya in wardrobe, and Sam on makeup/hair. Plus, I was so inspired and grateful for all the super positive, happy-to-help friends who joined us as PAs.

My SAG cast oozed talent and amazingness. We had Lauren Flans as “Cynthia,” Daniel Berson as “Peter,” Abbe Meryl as “Allison” and Jonathon Trent as “Jack.” The whole cast breathed even more life and comedy to the roles which were already incredibly rich and funny. And, Abbe and Jonathon delivered great make-outs for all six takes of the unforgettable “your mouth tastes like cotton candy” scene. Thank you to Dan and Sherrie at Dream Big Casting for securing these all-stars for us.

Lauren and Daniel as Cynthia and Peter.

Abbe and Jonathon as Allison and Jack.

The project was a two-day shoot.  The first day was at Chez Germen in Beverly Hills. The cafe was closed so we “owned” its outdoor space, giving Regina Taufen, my production designer, both the joy and challenge of creating a cafe with zilch money and only two days prep. It also didn’t hurt that David “Dave” Anderson graced us with his beauty and talent as background talent.

Chez Germen in its natural state.

Chez Germen post Regina's awesomeness. *Note David our A-list extra.

The second day started again at the cafe and then moved to residential sidewalks and then had a whirlwind hour and a half to shoot three scenes (2 and 3/8 pages) on house steps in Beverlywood.

Our last location of the day... three scenes in one and half hours! Don't shoot exteriors in January when the sun sets at 5.

It’ll be a while before we’re done with post and ready to premiere, but I’ll keep you posted and hopefully these quick pics have started painting the picture of the greatness ahead!

The image that inspired our last shot of the film because of its romantic look and visual play on duplicity.

Visual reference.

VIRGIN SUICIDES was our primary movie reference for the look of OFFICE BET.

I finished the third draft of my treatment for the One Act a few hours ago and this video is my reward. Thanks Mark Odlum for sending it to me.

I’m starting to write draft 1 tonight! But first I am going for a rainy day location-drive-by-scout-alone for the short film I’m directing on Dec. 12! Hoot!

Tonight it’s WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN with Aaron.  It will be dark, poetic and unlike anything I’ll ever make but totally inspiring. I believe Lynne Ramsey will be there for a talkback and I’m looking forward to it. In my head, I think she’ll wear an artsy hat.

In other news, here’s a video that made me feel nostalgic and visually-wowed. I think the music is doing a lot of that. It bummed me out in a weird way at the end when it’s revealed as a branded film.

I’m also catching up on my gossip on my celeb gossip on ONTD. It’s a win-win.

Also: horses.

TUESDAY IN COPACABANA

“The Tiger Movie” (as my friends and I call TUESDAY) will play before Joe Leonard’s HOW I GOT LOST. Joe is a great filmmaker and friend, and this first feature of his boasts a great cast and heartfelt story. Plus, a lot of my favorite collaborators’ talents can be seen in his film — JR on costumes, Sarah in the edit room, etc.

In addition to tonight, How I Got Lost will also screen Monday and Tuesday nights (7pm) at the Downtown Independent for its Spirit Award qualifying theatrical release.  Each night will feature a completely different roster of “We Make Movies” shorts from the WMM community! I’m so honored that TUESDAY can be a part of tonight’s lineup!

To purchase tickets for the event, go to Brown Paper Tickets (www.brownpapertickets.com/event/203211), or just get them at the box office on the night.

Don’t forget to enter in “wemakemovies” as a discount code when you buy your ticket online and you will get your tickets for $7.50 apiece.