Layaway

"Layaway" all began with my obsession over the rising costs of being human. On both literal and emotional levels.

Admittedly, growing up I was cocooned. That’s what parents often strive to do, particularly in times of stress. Although my family struggled with money and financial instability was an unfortunate norm at times, I was only half aware; most of the time left blissfully lost in the whims of childhood and the comfortable picture that my parents painted. But, when I did become aware, it colored my world, my actions, my inner life. A seed was planted deep within, money equals stress.

That was the late 90’s. Twenty plus years later, the landscape has shifted and the gap in the economy has widened further. The National Low Income Housing Coalition released a report that examined the increasing gap between wages and rent. With rental costs rising faster than wages, on average, a worker earning the federal minimum wage would have to work 103 hours a week to afford just a one-bedroom apartment. When we couple low-wages with skyrocketing rent hikes and a shortage of affordable housing – the expense and sacrifice of surviving in America begins to grossly reveal itself. This is a driving element of what I want to explore within my work. I want to illuminate the people caught in this harsh reality, particularly the kids.

"Layaway" is set amongst the backdrop of a family faced with this dilemma. It is not simply a story about houseless teens, but how that manifests and feels; how circumstance impacts the actions we take and the thoughts that guide us. The film strives to delicately explore the complexity of family dynamics and roles with the increased responsibility that we place upon others and ourselves. It brings to light the universal feelings of yearning for what we don't have and learning to live with and embrace what we do have. Many of the thoughts that were tumbling through my mind in the 90’s, but now matured and actualized.

I’m continually inspired and influenced by the work of Andrea Arnold: her rawness, the authentic feel of her films, the texture and atmosphere. I also worked to harness my background in documentary filmmaking approaches and ideas. Setting up loose guideposts to keep the action of the film alive while letting the actors play and explore the written script without the feeling of restriction. Embracing the natural imperfections. That’s my goal with all filmmaking, that it never feels stifling, but freeing and real. I believe we succeeded with "Layaway" in capturing that sense of freedom and play, all cushioned within circumstances that feel quite the opposite. That paradox of being human is what I hope the audience takes with them from watching this film.