5 Questions with Kailee McGee

1) What have you been up to since we last spoke in May of last year?

A lot of writing and developing — laying groundwork for bigger projects to come.

2) What was the initial idea for this project, and how did it evolve from there?

A filmmaker friend asked me to make a short for a virtual “Film Salon” to be screened for a curated group of filmmakers and artists. I believe that art is deadlines, so I happily agreed— thrilled to have a reason to make a thing. My initial inspiration came from who I assumed would be the audience in this Salon — pretentious filmmaker bros. Putting on the pretentious filmmaker bro hat provided an intriguing and fruitful lens for me to approach making a piece during quarantine. For every project, I like to assess the resources at my disposal and let the strongest ones sing. This time around the strongest resource was Kate Adams. She is one of my favorite humans and actors — endlessly inspiring and more alive and present than anyone else I know. Imagining her as a snobbish actress consumed by self-tapes and Instagram posts during a pandemic and political revolution was a splendid bend to my reality.

3) What was the biggest challenge in making this piece? And the easiest part?!

The biggest challenge was making a short with a crew of two —  just me and my longtime creative partner and one of my best friends, Rich Costales. I am accustomed to making films with very little, but we haven’t made something this DIY for a longtime. Neither of us are cinematographers or sound mixers, and we didn’t have access to nice equipment. But, great creativity comes from limitations, and I find that exciting. The easiest part was working with Rich and Kate who made the creative process seamless, effortless, and fun.

4) What’s a film you’ve seen recently, new or old, that you really loved and why?

Beyond Therapy (1987) is a complete wow. A wonderful, strange Altman. I can’t believe I just watched it for the first time. Kate recommended it to me, and I love it so much. It’s bizarre, hilarious, and whimsical. It was critically panned, but it’s an absolute gem. 

5) What’s next for you?

Developing a self-portrait feature. Propagating house plants. Learning to marinate in my femininity. Incorporating David Lynch’s daily videos into my morning routine.

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kaileemcgee.com

IG and Twitter: @kittypawsxoxo