Experiencing Interruptions?

Crazy These Days

Weird things keep happening while Elise is alone, so when her husband, Derek, returns unexpectedly from a business trip to surprise her, it has the opposite effect. In fact, it only raises more questions to her mounting suspicions. Frustrations spill into a huge fight over Derek’s impending move to NYC, and they teeter on the cusp of major damage to their relationship. With their strong desire and trust in each other, they manage to calm the waters and realize that no matter the city, their 'home' is with each other. They’ll figure it out. Of course, it doesn’t mean that Elise was imagining things.

  • Tara Karsian
    Director
    The Morning Show, Mayor of Kingstown, American Horror Story-1984, 9-1-1, Dead To Me
  • Virginia Reece
    Writer
  • Virginia Reece
    Producer
    My House, What Was Her Name
  • Julianne Dowler
    Producer
    My House, bnb, Pop
  • Erin Dellorso
    Producer
    My House, Be Still
  • Jeffrey Vincent Parise
    Key Cast
    "Derek"
    S.W.A.T., The Magicians, Supernatural
  • Virginia Reece
    Key Cast
    "Elise"
    Falling, Banging Lanie, 50 First Dates, Navy: NCIS
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Sci-Fi, Drama, Romance, thriller, horror
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 47 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 29, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    30,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Tara Karsian

As an actress, Tara has guest starred and/or recurred on over fifty television shows such as AppleTV’s The Morning Show (for which she was nominated for a 2022 SAG Award for Best Ensemble), Mayor of Kingstown, American Horror Story-1984, 9-1-1, Dead To Me, I’m Sorry, The Magicians, Shut Eye, Brooklyn Nine Nine, Review, Preacher, Shameless, among countless others.

Tara has produced multiple award nominated plays in Los Angeles such as the world premiere’s of The Cake by Bekah Brunstetter and Bed by Sheila Callaghan at the Echo Theater Company where she was formerly the Co-Associate Artistic Director. Tara co-wrote/produced and starred in the award-winning independent feature film, BFFs, which premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (and went on to play the worldwide film festival circuit for over two years) and can currently be seen on Amazon and various other platforms.

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Director Statement

CREATOR’S STATEMENT: from Virginia Reece

The story for CRAZY THESE DAYS popped into my head just before the pandemic hit. I remember fleshing out the details on January 1, 2020, before sitting down to write about a couple desperate to stay connected in a modern world. I am continually fascinated by love and relationships and in this specific instance, what keeps couples together when their lives are seemingly progressing in different directions. It’s a very real story and I hope to touch everyone who watches it — I want them to see versions of themselves in Elise and Derek and if they’re in any type of relationship, I want them to be moved to fight for it.

I feel like we don’t talk about these (quiet) low moments that take over relationships enough. Though probably easier to follow in a feature/series length production — they are awful and insidious and excruciating and full of doubt. But the promise of relief is real and always just around that damn corner; and the individuals and relationship are always stronger for the better when they make it through. Hagai Levi’s SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE is a beautiful example of a couple in turmoil taking time to communicate and find their balance. My challenge in choosing short film, was to explore and resolve this dilemma in under 12 minutes, and ours ends w a dose of ‘life getting in the way’. Elise and Derek consciously chose each other -- it’s the uncertainty of life that ultimately tears them apart. Love story. Or horror story?

And what is that silent horror? In some cases it’s cancer, or getting hit by car, gun violence (hello America), but no, in this instance it’s technology. We know it watches us, it listens to us, it follows us, we know it’s fallible, and yet… it blends into the background. We excuse this frightening, intrusive, and voyeuristic behavior because we can’t seem to live without its convenience. It messes with how we communicate with each other as a species. It causes anxiety. We have to consciously remind ourselves to put it second and practice human interaction. Crazy these days, right?

Finally, from my work as a producer, my greatest joy was knowing talented artists who could not only help me bring this story to life, but also elevate my vision. I’ve worked with each member of my core team on several film projects and our deep respect for each other’s artistry and work ethic is invaluable. My passion and drive in this business, is to create beautiful and honest stories, always conscious of the importance of inclusion and diversity. As the first film to be produced by my production company, Uihlein Carpenter, I could not be more proud of CRAZY THESE DAYS and the efforts of my entire team.