GROWING UP VEGAS Directed By Amber Beard

Indie Express: Tell us about your film?

Amber: “Growing Up Vegas” is a quirky coming-of-age story that centers around Taylor, an isolated, withdrawn tomboy that hangs out at the local casino where her single mom, Lizzy, works as a cocktail waitress. There, Taylor meets Tony, a lovable, washed-up Elvis Impersonator who takes her under his wing, offering to tutor Taylor in math - a subject she's failing miserably. As their relationship progresses, Taylor develops an unhealthy infatuation with Tony. But what are Tony's true intentions? Is he using Taylor to get to her mom, whom he is secretly smitten with?

IE: How did you come up with the idea for the film?

A: I was finishing up my MFA in film production at USC and wanted to do a thesis film before I graduated. Not having a lot of money (none actually), I knew a special FX / sci-fi action piece was sadly out of the question, so I leaned towards something more character driven and dramatic.  At the time, Los Angeles left me uninspired, and I was feeling homesick, so I decided to return to Las Vegas, my hometown. I knew that if I shot a film in Vegas, people would expect to see casinos and typical Vegas glitz and glam. While there is some of that in “Growing Up Vegas”, I also wanted to make the film more personal. I tried to focus on portraying real characters and depicting a side of Vegas most people don’t see. Much of “Growing Up Vegas” is drawn from my own experiences. I was a very awkward teen, and my mother, like “Lizzy” in “Growing Up Vegas”, was a single mom struggling to raise my brother and me. Growing up, casinos and gambling were part of the culture, part of what you knew. And while I certainly never tried to seduce an Elvis Impersonator (ha, ha), the character of Tony is based on an actual entertainer I used to know. J

IE:  You are a part of the Nevada Filmmakers section.  Tell us about why you are connected to this section of the festival.

A: I was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV. I got three B.A.’s in film, theater and fine art at UNLV before moving to Los Angeles to get my M.F.A. in film production at USC. My thesis film, “Growing Up Vegas” is set entirely in Vegas, and was shot on location here in town. Given the subject matter of my film, and the fact that I am a Nevada native and a Vegas local, it was only natural that my film screen with other Nevada Filmmakers.

IE: How did you assemble your production team?

A: My production team consisted mostly of my fellow USC film friends and a handful of old friends from Las Vegas. Since I had no money to pay anyone, the process of acquiring my crew consisted mostly of begging, and offering a free trip to Vegas as an incentive to work on my film.  Along the way, I received a lot of help and support from my undergraduate film professors at UNLV, in addition to my mentors at USC. It really was a joint effort: I was getting help from both sides of the state line.

IE: How did you find your cast? 

A: To find my cast, I posted audition notices on several acting websites, both in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. I actually held auditions in both cities. It was a long, painful process, and I didn’t find the right people until the very last minute. I tried auditioning several Elvis Impersonators, but they couldn’t really act. On the other hand, actors that could act didn’t make very convincing Elvis Impersonators. In addition, I had difficulty casting the roll of Taylor. A lot of the teens I auditioned just didn’t have the life experience, or their parents or agents were afraid of the material, finding it too edgy. Ultimately, I wanted to cast someone over 18, so I didn’t have to deal with the cost and hassle of a studio teacher. But finding someone that could pass for a teenager and could act was a challenge. I was very blessed to find Ellis and Amber.

IE: How long did the film take?  (From conception to final edit)

A: From start to finish, the entire project took about a year and a half. Part of the reason it took so long was because I had to go through a required sequence of thesis classes and clearances. Another reason it took so long was because much of the labor was being done free gratis by my fellow students, so I had to work around their class schedules, as well. In addition, budget constrictions made producing a long and laborious process. It’s hard to get what you want, let alone what you need for little or no money.

IE: Tell us a little about your process of directing (writing) this film.

A: I’m not sure if I have a set workflow or process yet. I’m still young and relatively green. I find that the way I work and how I create is evolving as I learn more and gain experience. Every project is different, and what might have worked for one project, won’t necessarily work for another. With “Growing Up Vegas” it was the first time I had directed a narrative of that length and scope, so I was kinda feeling it out as I went along. I do know that my actors and crew were very happy and impressed with how clearly I communicated with them, and I think that’s a good place to start.

IE: What was the most difficult part of the shoot for you?

A: Because the film was financed almost entirely on student loans, the most difficult part of the shoot was watching my debt balloon out of control.

Seriously though, every aspect of production had its own pitfalls and stresses. Besides a general lack of money, it was difficult to secure locations because of the nature of the locations I wanted, and because I was also a student filmmaker. The music was a problem, too. I obviously didn’t have the money to afford the rights to an Elvis song, so I had to figure out how to show the Elvis Impersonator singing without breaking the bank. From writing, to shooting, to editing, to sound design, to the final layback, there were obstacles and hurdles all along the way. But that’s just the nature of movie making. You have to anticipate problems and be ready to solve them if you are to survive in this business.

IE: (If not a premiere)Tell us about the films festival experience so far?

A: CineVegas will be the film festival premiere of “Growing Up Vegas”.

What are you most looking forward to at the festival?

A: While at CineVegas, I first and foremost hope people will enjoy my film. What filmmaker doesn’t want the audience to enjoy their film? But I also pray that “Growing Up Vegas” will help open a few doors for me, and kick-off what I hope will be the beginning of a long and glorious, kick-ass career.

IE: What films or filmmakers inspire you?

A: I always hate questions like these, because as an artist you take inspiration from so many things and so many different people. You could ask me what my ten favorite movies are today and I guarantee they would change tomorrow. There are lots of films and filmmakers I find inspiring, but if I had to narrow it down to a handful of filmmakers it would be: The Coen Brothers, Tim Burton, Hayao Miyazaki and Steven Spielberg. I love movies that involve quirky characters operating in not-quite-so realistic or surreal worlds.  I’m also really turned on by sci-fi and fantasy movies and movies where a lot of stuff blows up. J And I’m a sucker for animation.

IE: What made you decide to become a filmmaker?

A: I’ve always been interested in the arts. I’m a very creative person. When I was a toddler, as soon as I was able to hold onto a crayon, I would scribble on the walls. Then later, I discovered paper and began drawing, painting, and writing. I won my first art contest in kindergarten, then another in 5th grade with more to follow after. I’ve been creating all my life. It’s the only thing I really know how to do.

In high school, I got interested in theater. I went to see one of the theater performances and thought, “I could do that.” It looked like fun and something I would enjoy. I was attracted to all of the aspects of theater: acting, writing scripts, designing and building the costumes and sets. It was a very active, hands-on craft. From theater, the natural progression was to film. I took a few film classes in college and was sold.

In college I did three majors: art, theater, and film. Ultimately, I settled on film as my chosen career path. Film combined all my interests: my love of the visual arts, with my desire to tell stories. It was an active and ever-changing medium. It was like theater on speed. This isn’t to say that film was the end all and be all. My primary interest wasn’t so much film itself, but telling stories. I want to tell stories, and in this modern era, television, film and the internet are the most prominent and effective delivery devices for storytelling.

 IE: What is next for you? 

A: Right now, I’m currently working on several script ideas, and rewriting two scripts that are already completed. I’m on the hunt for an agent (hint, hint).  I’ll continue submitting Growing Up Vegas to various festivals in the hopes of gaining more exposure, and I will shortly start submitting my scripts into contests, as well. I’m also trying to get a feature off the ground with a few friends. In the meantime, in order to pay the bills I’m freelancing, doing various jobs in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, often traveling back and forth between the two cities.

IE: What is next for the film?

A: I’ll continue submitting Growing Up Vegas to various festivals in the hopes of gaining more exposure and getting the film out to as many people as possible. Eventually I’d like to see it distributed in some fashion, or maybe aired on TV. That would be awesome.

IE: If asked to give one piece of advice to a new filmmaker making their first short film… What would it be?

A: Go for it! Just do it! Follow your dreams. Make the film that you want to and leave no regrets. I know it’s hard sometimes, and it seems almost impossible when you have no money and all you’ve got is an idea and a digital camera, but keep at it. Keep practicing your craft. Hard work pays off! I truly believe this.

IE: What question would you like to be asked about your film? 

A: Is that really you playing the role of the “Red Showgirl”?

IE: What is the Answer?

A: Yes! Don’t I clean up nice?!