Experiencing Interruptions?

Buttress

“Buttress” follows the story of “Sam” [Nancy Payne], a young woman navigating the burdensome, unpredictable time after losing her grandmother.

  • Emily Barber
    Director
  • Nancy Payne
    Writer
  • Tayler Gilchrist
    Producer
  • Nancy Payne
    Key Cast
    "Sam"
  • Tom Simmermaker
    Key Cast
    "Allen"
  • Liz Payne
    Key Cast
    "Maggie"
  • Jazmine Robinson
    Key Cast
    "Neighbor"
  • Gene Payne
    Key Cast
    "Stunt Driver"
  • Chad Gilchrist
    Director of Photography
  • David Wall
    Editor
  • Jonny Mendez
    Composer
  • Makaela Johnston
    Production Designer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Drama
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 18 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 1, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Emily Barber

Hailing from Chicago, LA-based Director Emily Barber graduated with a degree in Cinematography and worked on several films and commercials until her transition to the role of Director. A professionally trained actor herself, Emily loves working with talent. Her favorite things to direct are stories that feature female leads and highlight women’s stories. Currently, she works as a commercial Director in LA.

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Director Statement

For me, comedy is often defined as “laughing to keep from crying”. Life is so hard and we’re all looking for that little reprieve from the nonsense we live in every day. And for me, this film
is just that.

These are the types of films I’m most passionate about, that I’m desperate to make. Laughter is an amazing way to unite us and remind us that at the heart of it: we’re all the same. We
want the same things in life; to feel safe and give our families happy and healthy lives. And we experience the same emotions of despair, love, anger, frustration, and loss. Finding a way
to laugh through this chaos makes us vulnerable and lowers our defenses, finding solace in each other and acknowledging each other’s struggles for existence.

I also think the thread of “helper" is one I’ve known all too well in life. Growing up in religious institutions you often heard the word “servant” being tossed around as a descriptor for one
who follows the rules and is deserving of love. You often find this term weaponized against women specifically to keep us quiet and to keep us docile. The world makes you believe this is
behavior worth rewarding and any need for oneself is selfish and cruel. Yet the very idea of being a “helper” means someone else’s will is being put first.

As I grew older, I learned that my life was just as important as anyone else’s and that I too was deserving of space, compassion, and care. I want to see this for all women in my life and for it to be ok for us to take a break from others needs to prioritize ourselves.