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News
At long last, 50 Words is live on YouTube and Vimeo as of August 21st, 2019. Please watch and share! (And seriously, if you know anyone at Hallmark Channel, please pass this along.)
Short Films Matter gave it a 5-star review: Mark Palmer directed a musical-themed romantic comedy, written and brought to life by the talented Kathryn Parks, is a delightful and heart-warming cinematic experience. Read the 50 Words review here.
We’re so excited to announce that 50 WORDS has been making the rounds at a number of film festivals across the country! We recently were awarded BEST FLORIDA FILM at the Bonita Springs International Film Festival and nominated for BEST FLORIDA SHORT by the Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival. What’s more, the Sunshine City Film Festival in St. Pete awarded filmmaker Kathryn Parks with a Ladies in Film and Entertainment Award!
Thank you to everyone who has supported our little romantic comedy and check out our Facebook page for more details on screenings and festivals!
About
50 Words is a short film from producer, writer, and actor, Kathryn Parks, and directed by Mark Palmer. Discover more information on the romantic comedy below including specifications, synopsis, the film’s story, cast, crew, and press highlights.
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Contact Kathryn Parks | KathrynAnneParks@Gmail.com
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Review
Short Films Matter – 5 STARS
An endearing romantic comedy about heartbreak, self-discovery and courtship.
Mark Palmer directed a musical-themed romantic comedy, written and brought to life by the talented Kathryn Parks, is a delightful and heart-warming cinematic experience. Parks shines as Lilly Green, a relatable protagonist navigating the challenging world of post-heartbreak dating. The film’s narrative skillfully captures the essence of Lilly’s journey, transforming her desperation into a humorous and endearing quest for love.
What sets this short film apart is its exceptional production quality. Palmer’s attention to detail is evident in every frame, from the meticulously crafted cinematography to the seamless sound design and post-production work. The film’s musical elements enhance its charm, adding a layer of depth to Lilly’s emotional rollercoaster.
The ensemble cast delivers stellar performances, breathing life into their characters and creating a vibrant on-screen chemistry. Parks, in particular, carries the film with her compelling portrayal of Lilly, capturing both her vulnerability and determination with finesse.
Palmer’s direction ensures a perfect balance of comedy, romance, and touching moments, making the film thoroughly entertaining. The story’s message, that love can often be found where we least expect it, resonates beautifully, leaving audiences with a warm and fuzzy feeling. This charming tale is not just a visual treat but also a testament to the power of love and self-discovery, making it a must-watch for fans of romantic comedies.
Specifications
Directed by Mark Palmer
Written by Kathryn Parks
Produced by Kathryn Parks
Co-Produced by Jamie Lee Butrum
Starring Kathryn Parks, Charles Logan, Craig Weiskerger
Running time 28:56
Aspect ratio 1.90:1, 2K DCI
Shooting format Digital- Sony F5
Sound AAC 48khz stereo LR
Logline
A newly-single actress searching for Mr. Right rewrites her bio in the theater program as a personal ad and suddenly finds herself swamped with admirers.
Synopsis
After catching her boyfriend and co-star cheating on her, theatrical leading lady Lilly Green writes her 50-word actor bio in the program as a personal ad, seeking her perfect match from the audience each night. Once her literary stunt goes viral, she’s faced with many new admirers, including the one she’s secretly been pining for. But as the flowers, chocolates, and coffee dates begin to mount, she learns that sometimes the road to love begins with taking one good, long look in the mirror.
Film’s Story
Sitting in the movie theater watching shorts in her home town got Kathryn Parks’ creative juices flowing. Writer, producer, and star of 50 Words, Kathryn was born to performing parents and grew up in the Sarasota, Florida theater scene. A small city filled with an array of culture and talented amateur and professional artists, she felt that if given the opportunity, they could compete on a much larger stage. So, she wrote her first screenplay, a short romantic comedy inspired by her musical upbringing, her theatrical experiences as a leading lady, the artistic community and the local dating scene (or lack thereof). She crafted a story where the lead actress of a show writes her bio in the program as a personal ad, seeking her perfect match from the audience each night.
She then partnered with friend, colleague, and director Mark Palmer. Mark’s video production company is known for high quality corporate videos and commercials but he was ready to take on a more original, creative project. Kathryn also realized she needed an artistic jill-of-all-trades who knew the scene and how to get things done, so she brought on producer Jamie Lee Butrum and the three of them got to work.
Faced with full-time jobs, actual paying clients, rehearsal schedules, zero funding, toddlers, teenagers, and a pregnancy, Kathryn, Mark and Jamie starting pulling together the cast and crew – many of whom had no experience in front of or behind the camera. 13 shoot days, 35 actors, 20 crew members, 65 extras, a crowd funding campaign, countless kind gestures, and 18 months later, the team accomplished what they’d set out to do.
The resulting film shines the spotlight on the Florida cultural scene while proving that you don’t need a full purse or Hollywood credits to “put on a show” silver screen-style.
Director’s Statement
“50 Words” is a story of self-discovery and one’s own sometimes oblivious journey through life’s clues of love.
I read the script and knew I wanted to tell this story. Filming would add that layer that cannot be written in words. So much of relationships deal with how our body language is interpreted. Sometimes subtle clues go unnoticed by people in love. Then sometimes, people searching for love can overlook the smallest clue from a person who might genuinely care for them. I wanted this whole other story that is woven through the pages to be seen visually. As we watch the characters, we see when they are childish, awkward, and even reprehensible. As we follow the heroine’s sometimes oblivious journey to find love, 50 Words ironically becomes all about the unspoken.
Key Cast & Crew Bios
Kathryn Parks | Writer, Producer, Lead Actor
Kathryn was born to performing parents and graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts from University of Miami. On Florida stages, she’s performed professionally in shows, concerts, and cabarets. On camera, she’s appeared in The Glades and Killroy Was Here, a new short from Kevin Smith. Kathryn has produced hundreds of videos for a real estate brokerage but 50 Words is her first screenplay and short film. kathrynparks.com
Mark Palmer | Director, Director of Photography
Mark is an award-winning photographer, cinematographer, director and producer who has been working behind the camera for more than fourteen years. With his own production company based in Sarasota, Florida, MarsVision Productions, credits include various regional corporate projects as well as grand prize winner in Viral Film Project, “Best Story Award” for Devotion in 48-Hour Guerrilla Film Challenge and award-winning PBS documentary series, Diamonds Along the Highway. marsvisionproductions.com
Jamie Lee Butrum | Co-Producer, Production Designer
Jamie holds an AA in Theatre Arts and a BA in English. She has worked on and off stage in the Sarasota theatre scene for 20 years. A true Jill-of-all-trades, she is experienced with all the technical elements of theatre as well as having a diverse background in acting and cabaret performance. 50 Words has been a unique and gratifying first experience in filmmaking.
Joey Durango | Editor
Joey is a director, cinematographer, editor, and independent filmmaker. His portfolio ranges from short films to music videos and has worked with the bands Boyce Avenue, Markari, Dyne Side, and Speech Patterns.
Bobby Brader | Composer
LA-based musician Bobby Brader has been an Orchestrator on big films such as “Trolls” and “The LEGO Ninjago Movie.” Music Preparation credits include Tim Burton’s “Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children” and the original “American Idol” TV show. Bobby has composed music for many short films and two feature-length films, “Dead List” and “Wild Boar,” which will be released in early 2018. He’d like to dedicate the score for “50 Words” to his many friends and supporters in the Sarasota theatre community. Learn more: bobbybrader.com
Charles Logan | Lead Actor
Charles Logan has spent most of his life on stage; from local theaters to Radio City and Lincoln Center, and everything in between. He has also been seen on the small screen in a few commercials as well as on The Rachel Ray Show and Comedy Central’s Night of Too Many Stars. Now he is so very grateful to Kathryn and Mark and the entire 50 words team for his first time playing the big screen.
Craig Weiskerger | Lead Actor
Craig Weiskerger, a Sarasota resident, is a connoisseur of both visual and performing arts. He is a graduate of Ringling College of Art & Design, where he earned a BFA in illustration. In addition to his work as an illustrator, he is an actor and singer who has performed on many professional and community stages throughout the state of Florida.
Press Links
Most Recent Press Appearances:
Short Films Matter : An endearing romantic comedy about heartbreak, self-discovery and courtship.
50 Words’ features cute concept, exceptional acting and satisfying character arc
Spotlight on ’50 Words’ actor, screenwriter and producer Kathryn Parks
Spotlight on ’50 Words’ director Mark Palmer
WSLR Radio Interview: Kathryn interviewed with the Coffee and Donuts show
Sarasota Underground: Go between the scenes with the stars of Sarasota’s very own 50 Words
WSRQ Radio: Jamie and Kathryn appeared on The Mezz on WSRQ Radio with Brian Hersh on 106.9 FM
Sarasota Observer: Zooming in on local filmmakers at the 2018 Sarasota Film Festival
Sarasota Herald Tribune: Behind-the-scenes: Homegrown Short 50 Words Gets a Film Festival Debut
Suncoast View: Writer, Actress & Producer Kathryn Parks Talks Making “50 Words”
At the Movies with Gus Mollasis: The Best of Kathryn Parks
Radio Interview: The Lynne Show with Kathryn Parks
Community Grind with the Clever Cup
Late Nite Orlando Talk Show: Why Not Tonight
Sarasota Magazine: Behind the Scenes of 50 Words, a New All-Local Short Film
Sarasota Herald Tribune: Behind the Scenes: Film debut reveals some lessons
Behind-the-Scenes
Cast & Crew
Crew
Directed by Mark Palmer
Produced by Kathryn Parks
Associate Produced by Jamie Lee Butrum
Written by Kathryn Parks
Director of Photography: Mark Palmer
Editors: Joey Durango, Mark Palmer, Kathryn Parks
Production Designers: Jamie Lee Butrum & Kathryn Parks
Sound Designer: Mark Palmer
Casting Director: Kathryn Parks
Assistant Director: Danae DeShazer
Composer: Bobby Brader
Choreographer: Vanessa Russo
Additional Music by: Sharon Ohrenstein, David Ohrenstein, Lynne Bernfield
Make up: Jessica Manzano
Additional Crew
Patty Abate, Bill Sallaz, Tom Hurxthal, Ryan Rivkin, Eduardo Correa, Rory Smith, Parker Lawhorne, John Rusnak, Nick Sampey, Sharon Ohrenstein, Jared Walker, Leyla Wilson
Cast
Kathryn Parks, Charles Logan, Craig Weiskerger, Shelley Whiteside, Alyssa Goudy, Michael Rischer, Dylan Jones, Eve Marie Caballero, Kirsten Sponseller, Jaszy McAllister, Jay Handelman, Samantha Centerbar, Matthew Ryder, Jeffery Kin, Kelly Leissler, Nik Warren, Lauren Ward, Geena Ravella, Dan Higgs, Barbara Williams-Bostic, Daniel Ohrenstein, Elicia Sacco, Tom Aposporos, Ryan K. Fitts, Brian Craft, AJ Cali, Phillip Morehouse
Extras
Elliott Raines, Isabella Biasutto, Lauren Wood, Danae Deshazer, Jonathan Parks, Amanda Heisey, Rumen Minev, Tamara Solum, Mike Solum, Barbara Wolf, Chris Wolf, Maverick Wolf, Patrick Sholtis, Gina Marie, Jason Demerin, Phillip Croome, Casey Hyde, CariAnn Newby, Joseph Visaggi, Parker John Lawhorne, Lynne Doyle, Brizaida Ribalta, Joshua Seavey, Steve Dickman, Sharon Dickman, Gwen McCaw, Mike Whitehurst, Charlotte Crowley, Lucinda Schlotterback, Blythe Desiree Snyder, Kayli Brown, Kamryn Brown, Rise Wells, Grace Vitale, Susan Jones Mannino, Rik Robertson, Allyson Robertson, Leyla Wilson, Anna Maria Larson, David Larson, Nicolas Pinzon, Theresa Russo, Vanessa Russo, Barbara Gagush, Lynne Bernfield, Venise Duchesne, Jonah Duchesne-Shaw, Emarie Marcan, Petr Marcan, Denise Whitney
Learn more and watch Kathryn’s other films:
Feature Documentary
The Fabulous Ohs: The Marriage and the Music
Best Florida Film Award-Winning Short
HER PLACE