Good to see you again, Chase. We met at the 2022 Offshore Art & Film Festival in Montauk, where I saw a short film you wrote and produced, Candied Lips. It was colorful, wholesome, and sweet. Where’d you come up with the idea?
Hi! Thanks for connecting and great to see you. I’m glad you liked it; I like stixpicks, too—it’s vibrance and positivity. I think the world needs more positivity and reminders of it.
Candied Lips began as an assignment for a playwriting class. I’ve always loved the candy shop where it takes place and so I decided to write a play about it. Each of the characters have a part of me—but really, any time I write, the characters contain parts of me.
Ah! So you have personal experience in Montauk and at that candy shop. Does that explain the phrase that’s emblazoned across the screen at the end of the movie: Montauk Forever?
Actually, I’m thinking of starting a production company, and I think Montauk Forever would be a good name for it. More on that to come. But the phrase we put on the screen was the editor’s idea: He thought we should give credit to the place that inspired us.
Good job, editor, and on the editing as well! So Chase, you acted in, wrote, and produced this one. What’s it like being a producer?
The producer makes sure that everything gets done, and I produced because I wanted to realize my vision. I brought together a crew of about 10 people—all fellow NYU collaborators (I go to school there)—including the director, editor, and set designer.
It was a lot of work. Shooting could only happen on one day, given everyone’s schedules. We shot from 5 a.m. until sunset. It was so rewarding to see that sunset at the end!
Montauk sunsets are so cool; I love the lighting. And the candy shop has a unique vibe to it as well; shout out to Jillian, the owner, who graciously let us use the place!
The colors, the setting, the vibe—all so cool, indeed. Sweet and nostalgic in a dreamy way. BTW, the inside of the candy shop is cool to begin with, and your character further transforms it in the movie. How much work went into all that? (It seemed like a lot.)
Good question. Because our equipment took up space, we had to move some of the candy outside. The Slushie machine had a loud background hum, so we actually had to wait for its dormant periods to shoot! The art director did a great job with the transformation, especially since we only have one day to construct and clean up everything.
Steve amongst vibrant reds and blues, in the candy shop in Candied Lips.
Stix liked! Can we expect anything else from you/the team?
You can! Was lucky enough to screen this at the 2022 Offshore Art & Film Festival in Montauk, which ended up being a really cool and supportive festival. I made a bunch of friends there.
Candied Lips will also be playing at the 2022 New York International Short Film Festival—at Cinema Village in Manhattan, which is wonderful because it’s the theatre near school and the place where I first attended a film festival while at school. (I have a few credits left before I complete school.)
I’m currently writing a full-length version of Candied Lips—exploring Steve and Strawberry, saying more about Montauk, capturing more colors and flavors of life. It’s just something that brings joy.
I’m working on other projects, too; gravitating towards rom-coms because of the happiness they bring.
Your calmness and happiness radiates, Chase, so I’m looking forward to your other projects. Perhaps a weird question to end on, but where did this demeanor come from?
I have always been a creative person; it’s been my strength. I picked up acting early and it become a passion. School then intensified all that. And I realized along the way that I never want to wait for someone else’s vision for me to work. So I stay positive and get to work. I’ve learned how important collaboration is, a willingness to work together on a unified vision. And proactive learning; you need to apply or critique what you learn, not just in-one-ear-out-the-other.
Also, I’ve just always enjoyed how movies have brought / can bring happiness to our lives. I watched the iCarly reboot recently and was impressed at how the writers transitioned the character from kid to adult while still retaining youthful energy. I think it’s really telling that as kids we are so happy and comfortable to act out and imagine things; in a way, I think all acting is goofy like that.
I’m also watching closely that trend of video games converting into movies. I would love to work on a project that leverages a happier video game. Excited about the Super Mario Brothers movie coming out!