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Shorts 3: Bittersweets – Cracked: The Last Egg-stravaganza
August 31, 2024 @ 6:51 pm – 7:07 pm EDT
Claire, Todd, and Moira recount very different versions of their hometown 1994 Easter Egg-Stravaganza fundraising competition—which also happened to be the last.
Director: Valerie Jones Rash, Rory Smith
Writer: Valerie Jones Rash
Producer: Valerie Jones Rash, Rory Smith, Melanie Smith
Starring: Valerie Jones Rash | Benjamin Buchannan | Brianna Borello | Rory Smith | Naomi Hallford | Melissa Smith
2024 | 16 mins | US | Color | 🍊🦩🏆 🎬 | Comedy, Mockumentary
The filmmakers are expected to be present at this screening for a post-film discussion.
Screening in Theater #2:
Other films in this program include:
About the Filmmaker
Valerie Jones Rash is a 7th generation North Florida native and actress of 16 years. CRACKED is the first project she has written and directed. Her 9-minute version for the Orlando Independent Filmmakers’ competition premiered on March 16, 2024, and she is proud to present the full 15-minute version to audiences for the first time.
Director’s Statement
I chose to direct this film because it presents how even the most light-hearted best intentions can be transformed by disparate personalities. The film explores the dynamics of adults who participated in a peanut butter Easter egg fundraiser competition from their youth but hold true for every area of life: from family to politics to religion. Everyone knows, or is, a Todd, Claire or Moira (or an amalgamation of thereof).
This storyline was inspired by my observation of Girl Scout cookie sales in the spring. Who determined their sales territories? Is there contention amongst the members? Do they all seize the opportunity for growth and fellowship or is it eclipsed by an underlying youthful fierceness? These amusing musings were applied to (non-competitive and truly good-hearted) church peanut butter Easter egg sales that were a staple of my childhood in the Panhandle of Florida.
The mockumentary style of storytelling presents a light-hearted topic where the characters reveal what they choose to present (as well as what they try to hide). There are always multiple versions of one reality. It’s the viewers’ discretion that determines the tones, takeaways and interpretations of each personality presented.
My co-director, Rory Smith encouraged me to write this script for the Orlando Independent Filmmakers’ 2024 SPARK Competition which requires films to be limited to a 9-minute format. He gave me the much-needed advice to finish my story regardless of my perceived “perfection.” Without his encouragement and support, this film would never have been written, much less completed.