Chit-Chat: "The Diner's Club"

Narmar Hanna was the writer and star, and she chatted with us alongside actor Jared Ward.

"It was really fun. It was also funny how the idea came to be. I was hungover in an airport and missed my original flight, do to entertain myself I started to write. No, it never happened to me, but I thought it would be funny of it did. The whole thing was fun and we got accepted to another festival so we are really excited!"

Awesome job, Narmar!

One on One: Ingrid Clay [Somebody, Jingle all the Way, Withering Azalea, Karma's a Bitch]

We got a moment to chat with Ingrid Clay, who seems to be one of the queens of this year's festival! Here's what she had to say.

"I had a great experience this year. I love acting and I like writing too. Honestly, producing isn't my favorite thing, but at this stage of the game we have no choice but to do it all. I have loved learning all aspects of filming, because if you know everybody's job, it can only help you in the future. I think directing helps build you as an actor, too. The more you do with these projects the more comfortable you get, the better you will do on a set. If you can't do films with your friends, then why are you doing them at all?"

Thanks, Miss Ingrid! Check out Ingrid's films all weekend long!

Photo: PW founder Robert Carnegie and Ingrid Clay

One on One: Alice Walker [Causality, Valley of Death]

We caught up with Alice Walker, star of "Causality" and "Valley of Death." here's what she had to say!

"The effort of making a film with a small budget and small timeline serendipitously only added more to the films than if we had more adequate support. I really enjoyed working with both directors and learned a lot, and hope to work with them both again."

Cheers to Alice! "Causality" plays Sunday at 10:30am and "Valley of Death" is Saturday at 9am.

One on One: Virginia Crawford [PHW High, In June]

We caught up with actress/director/writer Virginia Crawford before she hit the red carpet to ask her about her overall experience with the films she has in this year's festival.

"I had a ton of great learning experiences with the films I worked on this year. "In June" I wrote, directed, and cast and was there for every moment from the beginning, so it was very much my own from day one. With "PHW" I had a week of pre-production, and the writers and producers hired me after they had a concept in mind. I had to find my reason for doing it, and my voice in it even though it was written by other people. Victoria Park, my DP and close friend, was instrumental on this. She and I have a different relationship than most directors and DPs, I think-- and that means the world to me."

Thanks for sharing with us, Ginny! "PHW High" plays in the Saturday 3:30pm slot and "In June" plays in the Sunday 1pm slot.

Photo: Virginia Crawford and Victoria Park

One on One: Sean Crampton [Ratchet]

Sean Crampton took a moment to share his experience writing, directing, and starring in the short film "Ratchet." As a member of the sketch comedy group Gibbon's Tail, the heavy tone of this short was a bit of a different turn for Crampton. We asked him what inspired the script.

"I was listening to the song 'Monster' by Kanye West, and I wanted to write something that went along with that song. I actually have written a lot of dramatic stuff, too, but people see me more as comedic because of Gibbon's-- but really I think I'm more 50/50. And I like exploring both sides of myself, especially because I think y look is more suited for drama. It's all fun."

Thanks to Sean for stopping by! "Ratchet" is playing in the 9am time slot on Saturday.

Photo: Devin Crittenden and Sean Crampton of "Ratchet"

Festival Kick Off!

Though tonight's red carpet gala and screening of James Franco's film"Sal" is sold out, it's not too late to get tickets for the rest of the weekend!

http://playhousewest.net/2012-pwff-tickets/

Please feel free to leave comments and thoughts on the blog throughout the weekend. We can't wait to see you there!

Tomorrow!

We're so excited that the big night is almost here! Be sure to check back with us for live updates from the red carpet, as well as the film screenings all weekend long. If you haven't gotten your weekend pass yet, what are you waiting for??