Storytime:

Stacy as a Big Time Movie Agent .

Hello again, friends, and thank you so much for your support during this lovely journal! I’m still working out the nuts and bolts of this space, but hopefully, I’ll have more fun things to share soon.

Now, let’s get on with the show—it’s Storytime!

Over the past five years, I’ve had two short films making the rounds on the festival circuit.

The first, The Bra Mitzvah, screened at 17 festivals. Our journey began with an online screening in May 2020, and our final stop was our first in-person screening at NewFilmmakers Los Angeles, where some of our incredible cast and crew joined us!

Scene from The Bra Mitzvah

FYI - If you haven’t seen it yet, you can check it out here.

The next film is called Her Curve, was written by my friend, JD Glass and is based on the graphic novel by her wife, Kris Dresen. We were honored to screen at several festivals, including our hometown LGBTQ+ festival, Outfest. Having a film in Outfest was a full-circle moment for me—this was the very first festival I volunteered at back in 2001!. our two leads, Tina D’Elia (who also produced the film) and Dalila Ali Rajah, along with my co-director/cinematographer/producer/editor/ all around badass) Jaclyn Chessen and I would be at the screening.

But then, life threw me a curveball.

Remember in my last post when I shared that I had discovered another tumor in my bladder just days before my birthday? Well, my doctor called to schedule my surgery.

DOCTOR:
Hi Ms Calvert. we have July 21 open. Let’s schedule you for that day.

STACY:
That sounds great,

I opened my calendar app to add the surgery, but then I hesitated.

STACY:
Um, I’m actually unavailable that day. Do you have any openings earlier that week or after the 21st?

Oh no. How was I supposed to tell my doctor that I couldn’t have this important surgery because it clashed with my film screening? I suddenly felt so L.A., like some big-time agent negotiating a movie deal.

STACY:
I’m actually not available that date. Is there any way to schedule it after that week? Or before?

DOCTOR:
Well, we have the 14th open.

That was the first full day of the festival. Nooooo.

STACY:
Um… anything earlier than that? Or after the 21st?

DOCTOR:
No, I’m afraid not.

STACY (sounding defeated):
Okay, let’s do it on the 14th.

I was bummed to miss the first weekend of the festival, but I knew the surgery had to be done. So, on the 13th, I went with my bestie and my wife to Outfest’s opening night. We took a few photos, air-hugged a bunch of friends, and had a fantastic time. The next morning, I was back in my no-slip hospital socks and sporting my signature Spaceballs hair for yet another surgery.

Because, you know, balance.