FOREVER’S GONNA START TONIGHT Directed By Michelle Lawler

Indie Express: Tell us about your film?

Michelle: My Film is a documentary about Vicki Marlane. The  Oldest  still performing transgender drag performer.

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

M: I used to go to Aunt Charlie’s Lounge where Vicki performs and was blow away by her performance. I found myself really curious about her life and history.

IE: How did you assemble your production team?

M: I basically asked a team of people I had been working with to help me out. I didn’t have any funding , just an idea and a very ambitious shooting schedule.

IE: How did you find your cast? 

M: The cast was all the people at Aunt Charlie’s that Vicki works with.  A cast of Wonderful people I might add.

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

M: We are still editing. The piece playing at Frameline is a preview. We have a rough cut of the film and it has taken about two years to get to this point. With help from the Frameline Completion fund I was able to get most of the editing for the rough cut done in three months.

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

M: It really just kind of unfolded before the camera. I had an idea of what I wanted the film to look like. But it all hinged on what Vicki gave us in the film. She has so many amazing stories and I just tried to tell her story as truly as possible.

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

M: Not knowing what was going to happen. We did not shoot with any kind of script so I had no idea how it was all going to go down in the club. I planned out where I wanted to be when, but basically we were running around trying to get as much footage as possible.

IE: Any particular moments from filming that stand out for you?

M: When the other performers in the club started to get comfortable with us being there and everything started to come naturally it was really exciting. There were so many great moments because Aunt Charlie’s is such a fun place to be.

IE: Tell us about the film’s festival experience so far?

M: Well, my film hasn’t played yet but its so exciting that Frameline is playing a preview of it !

IE: What are you most looking forward to at the festival?

M: Seeing my film play at the Castro, its really a dream come true !

IE: What films or filmmakers inspire you?

M: I love Todd Haynes , I think he has such an incredible talent for telling great stories.

IE: What made you decide to become a filmmaker?

M: I was always interested in photography and just love cinematography. I don’t think I ever really decided to become a filmmaker it just happened.

IE: What is next for you? 

M: Finishing my film.

IE: What is next for the film?

M: Screening at different festivals,

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

M: Well, I talked about making this movie for 5 years before it happened and one day my girlfriend said to me, “why don’t you stop talking about it and just do it”?  That is the advice I would give.

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

M: Why is your film important?

IE: What is the Answer to that question?

M: It is important because in the LGBTQ it is imperative that we ask questions about those who came before us. Large populations of elderly LGBTQ people have been estranged from their families and don’t have generations of children to tell their stories to. If we as the younger generation don’t preserve these stories part of out history will be lost forever.