...until she faces the dark realties of her addiction.
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BABS
A film by Brette Taylor
THE STORY
BABS is a dark, twisted and surreal film that follows a woman in the throes of alcohol psychosis. Like a slow motion train wreck we watch Detective Becky Rawlings (Brette Taylor) plunge into a blurred abyss. Suspended from the force and spiraling within a web of denial, Detective Becky Rawlings attempts to make the unworkable work. Only when her alter ego, BABS, slams her head-on, does she start to accept the depths of her insanity.
THE FILMMAKERS
BRETTE TAYLOR (Writer/Director/Producer) an NYC native , is an award winning actor & filmmaker known for her work on both sides of the camera. She has worked alongside some heavy hitters in Hollywood; Pierce Brosnan, Julianne Moore, Lou Gossett Jr., Denis Leary, Patrick Swayze and many more. Also a photographer for many years, Brette takes pride in her edgy & visually stimulating works, which is why BABS was filmed the way it was. BABS is her passion project... her directorial film debut. She recently wrote a non-narrative short, THE FIGHTER, which she and her co-producer later used as spec spot for EVERLAST. Brette has been training in martial arts and boxing for over 25 years, so she wanted to highlight that skill in an avant-guard style film. Her current producing credits include: the feature films SOUL TO KEEP and the feature political drama, BORDER, that's slated to start filming in early 2025.
She's also a producer on the limited series, "CARGO", a 1970's crime drama paralleling the JFK Lufthansa heist. She's been eating & breathing the arts her entire life. Her parents are both in the industry...notably her Mom, Christine Parks, a seasoned actor & writer herself. Her father, a music producer and filmmaker who often worked with John Lennon on his albums and films. Brette is best known for her roles on the flipside of the camera, but has been giving BABS legs for years. "I mused on little chunks of dialogue. What was going through my head was intriguing. I needed to make this film! I was being haunted by its voice; I knew exactly what I wanted to do," she says. Next up, Brette is hoping to make BABS into a feature. Brette is the writer of many genres: notably her songwriting & screenwriting.
DARYL PITTMAN (Cinematographer/Producer) born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia Daryl studied physics at Old Dominion University where he received a Bachelor of Science. A cinematographer with over 17 years of production experience, he has photographed all of Zach Clark’s films (MODERN LOVE IS AUTOMATIC, VACATION!, WHITE REINDEER, LITTLE SISTER (SXSW 2016). Indiewire’s Press Play blog raved that his “moving, sensitive cinematography makes WHITE REINDEER so genuine you can almost taste it.” Daryl recently worked with Brette Taylor on the short film WINDOWS TO NOWHERE (ORLANDO FILM FESTIVAL.) He has shot music videos for bands including Exit Music, New Found Glory, H20, Wale, and more, which have been featured on MTV, MTV2, BET, and FUSE.
JACK ROBERTS (Producer/Co-Director) born in Jacksonville, Florida, raised in New Jersey, Jack earned a degree in HD television technology. Over Jack’s career he has produced and directed broadcast events and video projects for Netflix, Investors Bank, SAP, AT&T, Verizon, Bon Jovi, Joan Jett, Johnson & Johnson, GE, NFL, BMS, PC Mag, Abbott, Kraft, WWF, Weleda, SNY Network, Degree and many more. Jack is also an award-winning director for his short film WALLS starring Norman Reedus. Jack recently directed and produced Brette Taylor's short film, THE FIGHTER. Jack fell in love with BABS, and was on board from the beginning.
MORGAN NEVILLE (Editor) grew up in Cambridge Massachusetts, her father a pianist, writer for the Boston Herald and program notes director for the Boston Symphony under Arthur Fielder and her mother a carpenter and former English professor at University of California. Morgan has since had the opportunity to work with some exceptional Hollywood talents such as Martin Scorsese, Merchant Ivory and Woody Allen. She has over 24 years of film and post production experience with 5 editing credits and many other credits in production work; Music Composer Assistant, Post Production Supervisor, voice and narration recording editor
CHRISTINE PARKS (Co-Producer) born in Cincinnati, Ohio, began performing at the Cincinnati Playhouse while still in high school. Her most recent role was in HBO's I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE alongside Mark Ruffalo. Christine has done a wide variety of roles on LAW & ORDER, a recurring role on AS THE WORLD TURNS, played a soft-hearted social worker in Spike Lee's, MIRACLE’S BOYS and was featured in the award winning Indie film DAMAGED. Her favorite roles were the two she originated in Romulus Linney's plays, TRUE CRIMES & GINT, both premiering in NYC - then honored at Oslo, Norway's prestigious NATIONAL THEATRE. Chris along with her daughter, Brette, wrote a screenplay based on their true story.
She is very proud to have worked on BABS with Brette!
CHRIS HAJIAN (Score) born and raised in Queens, New York, Chris’ formal training started at New York’s “Famed” High School of the Performing Arts, and continued at the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied classical composition. Chris’s film composition roots began during the indie film movement of the 90’s. Most notably, he composed the score to TEN BENNY starring Adrian Brody, selected for the 1996 Sundance Film Festival. He then composed the score for the compelling black and white drama MR. VINCENT that premiered at Sundance the following year. Other feature films of note include YONKER'S JOE, THE TAKE , CITY OF LIES, and THE INFILTRATOR.
RICH ECKHARDT (Musician) is one of the most sought after guitarists in Nashville. His ability to cover multiple styles has put him on stage with singers ranging from Steven Tyler of Aerosmith to Shania Twain. Rich has been playing lead guitar for Country Superstar Toby Keith since 1998. In 1989, Rich made his move to Nashville, where his first performance was on the world famous Grand Ole Opry. Soon after he was asked to join country music hit maker Eddy Raven on tour. From there Rich began a steady run of touring and recording with artists including John Berry, Becky Hobbs, Rodney Atkins, Steve Azar, Blake Shelton, Charlie Daniels, Willie Nelson, Sammy Hagar, Merle Haggard, Steve Cropper, Glen Campbell, Joe Perry, Delbert McClinton and Jerry Lee Lewis.
THE CREW
Writer/Creator BRETTE TAYLOR
Director BRETTE TAYLOR
Co-Director JACK ROBERTS
Director of Photography DARYL PITTMAN
Producers BRETTE TAYLOR/JACK ROBERTS/DARYL PITTMAN/SHERI SUSSMAN
Executive Producers BRETTE TAYLOR/MARC HOCKL
Production Manager ALAN FORBES
Production Coordinator JOSH KELLINGHAUS
Location Manager ALAN FORBES
Editor MORGAN NEVILLE
Composer CHRIS HAJIAN
Music RICH ECKHARDT/JON GORDON /EDDIE MARIN
Co-Producer CHRISTINE PARKS
Casting SIG DE MIGUEL/STEPHEN VINCENT
Costume Designer ROBIN FIELDS
Make-up ANNE TAYLOR
Hair Stylist MADION RUSSELL/MARIA REYES
Police Security JOHN NEWSOM
1st AC KEVIN MARSHALL
Gaffer MIKE DICKMAN
Key Grip JEFF FISHER
Sound Mixer/Boom KERRY STEPHENS
Swing GE JAKE KNUEVEN
Covid Compliance Officer KYLE HESS
Catering Mt. ADAMS BAR & GRILL/DUNLAP INN/FUNKIES
Production Assistants:
REBA GILBERT
ABBY SPEARS
ADRI FRANCE
ANDREA RINCK
KATELYN ARAGON
GARRETT COLLIER
JACOB KENNEDY
ZAYNE ISOM
STARRING
BRETTE TAYLOR Detective Becky Rawlings/Babs
ROBERT BOGUE Lietenant "Samms" Messing
STUART RUDIN Homeless Veteran
JOHN NEWSOM Barfly
WILLIAM PALMER Rookie Officer
ADAM HICKS Patrol Officer 1
MARC HOCKL Patrol Officer 2
VINCE HOBBART SMITH Cabbie
DENNIS LANGEN Bartender
TOM O'BRIEN Bar Patron 1
REBA GILBERT Bar Patron 2
AARON PULLINS Pedestrian
SPECIAL THANKS
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, Connie Smith-Monahan, Christine Parks, Joe Moglia, Andrew Friedman, Michael Borrelli, Denis O’Leary, Tommy Lohmann, Vincent Angell, Peter Deming, Rob Greenlea, Grainger Hines, Leonard Buschel, Craig Mattson, Glo & Adair Roberts, David Reid, Tamara Hansen, Jesse Roland, Clarissa Jacobson, Michael Viola, Cinda Krueger, Billy McVey, Michael Brody, David Craig Ellis, Barry Peek, Lori Jaroslow, Risa Jaroslow, Jack Kenny, David DeBesse, William Brooks, Will Meehan, Lorraine Lein, Lisa Smith, Richard Kennedy, James Phillip Gates, Ted Chalmers, Lynn Doran, Margaret Muldoon, Halstan Williams, Ruth Watkins, Tim Parks, David Parks, James Furino, Ben Gougeon, Eddie Fee, Greg Brossia, Kate Greer, Tara Bruno, Paul Vincent, Getchie Argetsinger, Paul Vincent, Yvonne Russell, John Occhiogrosso, Joni Hoop, Sally Davidson Orwell, Colin Key, Michael Salvatore, Jane Lence, Christine Cetrangelo, Mike Trapani, Gabriella Gil
THE CAST
BRETTE TAYLOR (Detective Becky Rawlings/Babs) born in Cincinnati, raised in NYC. Brette's niche and passion lay in portraying strong women yet she has as much heart as she has toughness and grit. She was given the nickname "Chick Nolte" while playing the unrelenting FBI agent Karen Maguire in A&E's THE BEAST. "Creating characters like these is what I crave", Brette says." Her most recent roles include the feisty hooker in SOUL TO KEEP, the mentally tormented Elise in WINDOWS TO NOWHERE (ORLANDO FILM FESTIVAL), Blair Berkhead in PRODIGAL SON, the recurring ball-busting, Pam York on ABC’s NASHVILLE, Lt. Elizabeth Grant in the remake of 1983’s #WARGAMES, a southern, badass, Gang Leader in RED DEAD REDEMPTION II and the ill-fated Martha Wayne in GOTHAM, where she recurs in flashbacks. She is still remembered for her role as "Crazy" Debbie on RESCUE ME. Brette splits her time between NYC & LA.
ROBERT BOGUE (Lt. "Samms" Messings) born in Minden, Nebraska, the youngest of three sons. Grew up in Hays, Kansas and Richmond, Kentucky. Graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Colorado College in International Political Economics. He started his professional career in the theater in New York City. An original founding member of The New Group Theater Company. He splits his time between New York City and rural Pennsylvania. Bogue is no stranger to the screen. He has recurred on the sets of OZ, CHICAGO FIRE, WALLFLOWERS, NASCAR: RISE OF AMERICAN SPEED, GRAND THEFT AUTO V and over 350 episodes as A.C Mallet on GUIDING LIGHT. He co-wrote and starred in the indie film BACKSEAT, which received the audience award at the Austin Film Festival and was released in theaters. Bogue recently won Best Leading Actor at The Pure Magic International Film Festival for his role in the dramatic short film EN SUITE.
STUART RUDIN (Homeless Vet) born in Vancouver, Washington. He is an actor, known for THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (Miggs), THE PROFESSIONAL (Leon's Taxi Driver), STAKE LAND (Pops The Barber) and most recenlty "Yano Topos" in the Tv mini series CRASH THE SYSTEM. Stuart has been a prominent figure in the theater for years; MEASURE FOR MEASURE (The Public Theater), AMADEUS (National Tour), A FEW GOOD MEN, WEST SIDE STORY (J.W. Lynch Theater) and more. Stuart is also a founding member & co-director of Tribeca Labs, and an active member of The Actors Studio for many years.
THE VISUAL STYLE
As someone who has a weighty interest in visuals, the tone and feel of BABS is vastly important in emphasizing the vision I have for this film. In order to develop a strong style for this film, I've taken some inspiration from Phil Joanou, Derek Cianfrance and David Lynch of course. Lowly saturated and cloudy days were desirable in this film. I chose Cincinnati as I'm a native and I knew of some great run down streets, alleys, blue collar bars, etc. We chose many handheld shots, as I wanted the BABS character to appear wavy & slightly shaky. Not to mention we wouldn't have to mess around with track and complicated set-ups. We were on a 4 day shooting schedule and this short moves quite a bit throughout its 8 locations.
The visuals are strong to keep one guessing. I wanted the film to look the way these characters felt, so we went for Rembrandt-esque lighting to accentuate the lacerated soul of Detective Becky Rawlings.
The score needed to be barely audible until we get to the bar scene where we hear music piping through the jukebox. Due to the gritty & more visual story-telling, I wanted the energy of the main characters to be more of the score, not the music.
THE TRAILER
TRAILER LENGTH: 0:47
FILM LENGTH: 12:00
FORMAT: RED
ENGLISH
USA 2021
"Brette! I watched it 3 times. Powerful! Just heartbreaking.
Beautifully acted, directed and shot. Really haunting. Score is great! It pulls you in hard. Of course you want more but that’s the idea. Congratulations!"
TITUS WELLIVER - ACTOR/PRODUCER
"BOSCH" "SONS OF ANARCHY"
"YOU GUYS DID A GREAT JOB! AND I KNOW YOU DID IT QUICKLY ON A BUDGET. NICELY DONE!"
PETER DEMING – CINEMATOGRAPHER
“GOOD LORD BIRD" ”TWIN PEAKS” “LOST HIGHWAY”
“Oooooh!!!! Brette!!! This is so COOL!!!!!! I’m so excited for you Honey!!! Thanks for sharing it with me!!! XO”
Kathryn Erbe - Actress
“Law&Order - Criminal Intent”
"Brette! It’s looks amazing. There are so many breathtaking shots. You’re always compelling to watch, which really holds the viewer’s attention. Congrats, getting stuff made is hard — I know how much work you put into this and it shows. Keep creating... "
Vincent Angell - Writer/Producer
“The Rookie, “The Firm” "The Beast"
"Brette - You're aces in this! Early Melissa Leo!
I'll repeat that and even put it in bold-face: EARLY MELISSA LEO. You're the McGuffin."
KURT BROKAW - SENIOR FILM CRITIC
"THE INDEPENDENT"
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