Her Place film

HER PLACE is a short film from producers Kathryn Parks and Elise Rodriguez, directed by Kathryn Parks with assistant direction from Elise Rodriguez and director of photography, Mark Palmer.

Press contact: kathrynanneparks@gmail.com

Logline

A 1950s housewife awakens to a future far removed from mid-century nostalgia. 

Specifications

Directed by Kathryn Parks
Assistant Directed by Elise Rodriguez
Written by Kathryn Parks
Produced by Kathryn Parks and Elise Rodriguez
Starring Kathryn Parks, Elise Rodriguez, and Casey Murphy
Running time 5:12
Aspect ratio 1.90:1, 4K
Shooting format Digital- Sony F5
Sound AAC 48khz stereo LR

We are so excited HER PLACE has been the official selection of festivals across the nation: 

Sarasota Film Festival – WORLD PREMIERE
Fort Myers Beach International Film Festival, (Award winner)
Sunscreen Film Festival (Nomination)
Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs International LGBTQ Film Festival
Orlando International Film Festival
New York Movie Awards (Award winner)
Legacy, The Film Club Toronto
Sanford Independent Film Festival
Saints and Sinners Film Festival, Orlando, FL
Foreman Empire Productions Film Festival (Award-winner)
Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival (Nomination)
Sanford Independent Film Festival
Dunedin International Film Festival

Spoilers ahead: “Her Place” touches on many important issues while leaving ideas to be sorted out by the viewer. I wanted to address how far women have come since the 1950s when there were a great deal of expectations to be the perfect wife/woman/mother. While we have progressed in many ways, it’s also easy to look back at that time with nostalgia as we question other definitions of progress within society as a whole. School shootings have become all too commonplace. I wanted to pivot the conversation (which is typically presented from the male’s point of view within the media) to the female perspective. I also felt it necessary to draw attention to the experience of first responders in our modern-day world. Rarely is the trauma to first-responders even mentioned in gun control debates as a reason to push legislation. Ultimately, “Her Place” brings a female voice into the discussion and aims to redefine traditional roles in society and in the home.

Best Local Film, Fort Myers Beach International Film Festival (2020)
Best Florida Film nomination out of 75 submissions to the Sunsceen Film Festival (2020)
Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival, Nominated for Best Florida Film

We were so honored to be awarded with a series of recognitions in April 2020 from the Foreman Empire Productions Film Festival: 
Best of Festival, Best Short Picture, Best Drama Picture, Best LGBTQ Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role (Kathryn Parks), Best 1st-time Director (Kathryn Parks), Best 1st-time Producer (Elise Rodriguez), Best Cinematography (Mark Palmer), Best Editing (Kathryn Parks), Best Production Design, Best Hair and Makeup, Best Costume Design, Best Original Score, Best Original Short Screenplay, Best Motion Picture Photography, Best Poster

Festival Feedback

“This film deftly weaves humor and a twist to a serious topic to make an impression to surprise and make the viewer think”.
Sunscreen Film Festival Programming Team

“Your film shows the kind of thinking women still have to overcome in this country to advance in the workplace as writers, directors, cops and to be able to marry who they love. Your juxtaposition of this kind of thinking with a couple’s daily reality is brilliant. I’m so excited we’ll get to showcase it!”
Rodney Piatt, Sarasota Film Festival Programming Assistant

“One of the best short films in years! A perfect 10/10”
Shreco Bakari, Foreman Empire Productions International Film Festival

‘Her Place’ cleverly subverts expectations as Kathryn Parks navigates the role of a 1950s housewife, reminiscent of ‘The Stepford Wives’, delivering a performance that blends humor and darkness. Parks, who also wrote and directed the film, adeptly leads the narrative, exploring the challenges of a subservient lifestyle while skillfully incorporating a twist that challenges societal norms from the past to the present. The film masterfully uses the context of a 1950s setting to provide a satirical commentary on the expectations placed on women during that era.

The addition of Elise Rodriguez adds depth to the storyline, with her role contributing to the unexpected plot twist that subverts the traditional narrative associated with 1950s housewives. The film’s strength lies in its ability to seamlessly blend comedy and drama, using “The Stepford Wives” trope to explore contemporary issues surrounding gender roles and societal expectations.

The cinematography by Mark Palmer is visually captivating, capturing the essence of the era with well-framed shots that enhance the immersive experience. The production and costume design further contribute to the authentic portrayal of a bygone era, creating a setting that complements the film’s satirical undertones.

‘Her Place’ successfully combines elements of satire, social commentary, and humor, making it an enjoyable and thought-provoking short film. The unexpected narrative twist adds an extra layer of intrigue, keeping the audience guessing until the very end.

Click on image to watch Kathryn’s interview on the Suncoast View.

‘Her Place’ garners awards and praise as ‘one of best short films in years’

One of the inspirations behind HER PLACE was The Umbrella House in Sarasota, Florida, an iconic work of the Sarasota School of Architecture designed by architect Paul Rudolph and built in 1953. Architectural Digest has described the Umbrella House as “One of the five most remarkable houses of the mid-twentieth century”. The film also showcases a rendering of the Umbrella House by Sarasota’s own renowned illustrator John Pirman.

Kathryn Parks | Director, Writer, Producer, Lead Actor, Editor
Kathryn Parks is an award-winning filmmaker who has been honored with the Ladies in Film and Entertainment award by the Sunshine City Film Festival – honoring the top women in the film and entertainment industry in the Tampa Bay area. Her two short films, 50 WORDS and HER PLACE, have both received the honor of BEST FLORIDA FILM. Kathryn was born to performing parents and graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts from University of Miami. A stage actress as well, she’s performed professionally in shows, concerts, musical improv and cabarets. kathrynparks.com

Elise Rodriguez | Assistant Director, Producer, Actor
Elise Rodriguez is a Cuban-American performer, teaching artist, and creative professional. After transitioning out of a legal career, she decided to pursue the creative arts full-time and never looked back. Elise is currently on the Mainstage & touring improv casts at Florida Studio Theatre where she hosts, performs, coaches, and teaches improv. She also performs with Treble in Paradise, FST’s musical improv cast; and in Monolise: a friend-ly monoscene with Elise. Elise is fluent in Spanish and has performed and taught improv internationally for latinx performers and audiences.

Mark Palmer | 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

Casey Murphy | Actor
Casey moved from New York City to Sarasota three years ago.  As an actor, he has worked on stage both regionally and in New York. Select theatres at which he has appeared include: Urbanite Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, Theatre Odyssey, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Bigfork Summer Playhouse, Cohoes Music Hall, and Michigan Shakespeare Festival. Casey is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan. 

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”.  Learn more: bobbybrader.com

CAST
Kathryn Parks
Elise Rodriguez
Casey Murphy
Savanah Z. Montes

CREW and CREATIVE TEAM
Directed by Kathryn Parks 
Produced by Kathryn Parks and Elise Rodriguez
Assistant Director: Elise Rodriguez
Written/adapted by Kathryn Parks
Director of Photography: Mark Palmer
Editor: Kathryn Parks
Music Composer: Bobby Brader
Colorist: Wheat
Hair/Makeup: Jessica Manzano
Opening artwork by John Pirman

Production Assistants
Eric Tate, Caleb Duplain, KC Jones
Connie Cuadrado

SPECIAL THANKS
Bob and Anne Essner, Maria Llovio, Becky Canesse, Alexdrena Green, Jimmy, Canned Ham Vintage, Jonathan Parks, John Rusnak, Sharon Ohrenstein, Mars Vision Productions, Stevie Montes, Players Centre for Performing Arts, Georgina Willmott