WI/IL Short Slot 2

Tickets go on sale on Friday, February 19th

 

Don’t miss the moderated Q&A session with filmmakers from:

 

Thu Feb 27, 2020 – 7:30 pm | Hendricks Arts Center
Sat Feb 29, 2020 – 12:00 pm | La Casa Grande

You Can Go Now

Directed by Marisa Merkl
Narrative Short
USA | 14 min | 2019

An abrupt personal tragedy uproots Tanda from her day and she rushes to face the inevitable. Her new, jolted world feels peculiar—a strange experience that is impossible for any of us to put into words.

You Can Go Now - Poster

Everything you do in the film industry leads to your next project… all roads lead to future collaborations… or so they say. “Rent Do” is exactly that and more. I met writer/producer/actor Jonathan Dubsky on my feature film “The Scarehouse”. He had a small part in that film but we became friends and loved discussing cinema. Jonathan switched from acting to crew on a music video that I directed that starred Sarah Booth (also in The Scarehouse). I’ve heard Jonathan’s ideas for shorts and television shows over the years and liked what he was creating. It was great to see Jonathan spend more time turning from actor to actor/creator (along with Daniel), which I believe is crucial; for actors to put themselves and their abilities out into the world. I was thrilled to be asked to direct “Rent Do”. I don’t get to do a lot in the comedy world, I’m known as the “horror” or the “heartbreak” guy. BUT I love comedy and what better way to flex those creative muscles than with a short! They also asked Sarah to star alongside the two of them. A match made in heaven – a casting trifecta I knew would be fantastic. Then we were able to round out the cast with Montreal’s best and brightest film and tv characters actors – a real treat.
There is a lot I could say about the production of the film but I feel like these are things everyone has to say about the creation of their baby. I think I’d rather spend the remainder of this note speaking to the heart of collaboration and working amongst friends. Talented folks in all departments from my frequent cinematographer, Karl Janisse to my one and only composer Adrian Ellis joined us for “Rent Do”. I strive to create projects with people who carry no ego, want to do the work and always go the extra mile. I want to create projects where, budget be damned, it is going to happen and it is an all hands on deck collaboration. “Rent Do” is just that – the film will speak for itself with your programmers, however, the experience of making it was a fantastic one. Jonathan and Daniel will be credited writers and producers you see in theaters and on television in the near future, this project is only the beginning. My direction is just one small part of the team and world they created for me to play with. We look forward to seeing how “Rent Do” plays for the audience it was made for.

Sincerely,

Gavin Booth

You Can Go Now - Marisa MerklMarisa Merkl
Director

The film beast captured me in 2017 and I do not plan to be rescued.
Hailing from Milwaukee, WI, I’m currently in pre-production with my third written feature, the first to be produced. It tells the story of an unlikely collision of relationships, foster care, childhood PTSD and a willingness to get real. In addition, a previous feature script is in a rewrite stage—a story inspired by the country’s first cattle ranch to convert to a farmed animal sanctuary, and a town who changes their outlook because of it.

Film Information

Director: Marisa Merkl
Country: USA
Year: 2019
Language: English
Runtime: 14 min.
Rated: PG

Credits

Writers: Marisa Merkl
Producers: Maria Petrella, Marisa Merkl

Connect With This Film

Principal Cast

BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
BIFF | Beloit International Film Festival