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Meet the Filmmaker: William Elder E.F., “Behind the Smile Episode 2”

Behind the Smile Episode 2www.laughyoubastards.com

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
WE: I don’t why I “became” a filmmaker. I think it’s more of a compulsion than anything else, really. A sickness if you will.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
WE: You are going to see the Second episode of the web series Behind the Smile that I co-directed and edited for the Black Actors Guild. I don’t believe it has been screened in its entirety at any live event, but it’s been online for two years.

Q: What else are you working on?
WE: I have been hosting and co-producing Open Screen Night since 2014 and am currently helping with an anarchist comedy variety puppet show called No Gods No Masters and a comedy-ish local politics show called Dat-Mocracy Tho! with some very talented performers and personalities. I also make my own shorts when I find the time and inspiration.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
WE: I’m not sure what’s weird about my movies themselves; I’ll need you to tell me. Though the production of this particular series from which this episode is taken, was cursed with, and book-ended by, real life tragedy. I thought that was peculiar.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
WE: The website to my old sketch comedy series “Laugh, You Bastards!” (www.laughyoubastards.com) has a biography about me, I think. I don’t think it’s a real biography, but it’s fun to pretend. The whole series is up there, too. That show is how I learned how to make movies, so that’s a good start.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
WE: I like the name of this event. I like that now I have the title of “Emergent Filmmaker.” I will start adding “E.F.” to the end of my name.

Behind the Smile Episode 2 will screen at The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, March 15th at The Bug Theatre.