University of Arizona media arts senior Kathleen Harris wants to be a career cinematographer, and she's taken the first step by writing and directing the short romantic comedy "Better Days."
The film, her debut, will screen at the Fox Tucson Theatre on May 16 as part of the "I Dream in Widescreen" program with other UA senior thesis films.
The 23-year-old Salpointe Catholic High School grad spent the past two summers in Hollywood working as a production assistant, casting director and associate producer on independent films.
Harris shot "Better Days," in small bursts over three months last year. It tells the story of a man with a broken guitar who strives to make some quick cash. He meets a woman who just might be his salvation.
Harris checked in with a phone interview last week:
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How long have you been interested in filmmaking?
"Basically since I started school. I went in as a media arts major and never switched. I knew what I wanted to do for five years."
Tell me about your film.
"It's a romantic comedy that when it started out was supposed to be slapstick, but it morphed into romantic comedy. It's a lighthearted story."
What are your post-graduation plans?
"I plan to move out to L.A., but I really want to travel. That will probably happen in December. I'll make travel documentaries either about Australia or Southeast Asia. Hopefully I'll work on a feature film that I'm waiting to hear back on. It's a big-budget feature with known actors.
"I don't know how much I can say about it. Hopefully I'll be working on the set, whether as a production assistant or the camera department. I have a close friend on the production staff who will pretty much get me as high up as you probably can be when you're just starting out."
What was your film's budget?
"It was $500. I didn't do much fundraising. At the same time, it was worth it. I have a scholarship, and the money that would be used for going to school I put away for that sort of thing. It was all outside locations, Downtown and on Fourth Avenue. I had to get permits and such, but I didn't really have to pay for those. I needed a broken guitar, and the Chicago Music Store hooked me up with a guitar that was already kind of broken."
What do you plan on doing with the film after it screens?
"I'd like to hit the film festival circuit once I can kind of nail (the film) down, make it a little cleaner."
Are you nervous or excited about leaving Tucson?
"I am so excited to leave. The reason I stayed here was because I got a full-ride (scholarship). I don't regret anything about it. I had some great friends and the film department was great, but I'm very ready to get my feet wet."
If you're involved in filmmaking and would like to be featured in a Q&A, write to pvillarreal@azstarnet.com.
I Dream in Widescreen
• What: Screenings of films made by University of Arizona graduating seniors.
• When: 7:30 p.m. May 16.
• Where: Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St.
• Admission: Free.
