Private Project

Rough Edges

An emotionally-withdrawn tech writer picks up a struggling artist for what he expects will be nothing more than a kinky one-night-stand. But when they find each other more engaging than they anticipated, the two lonely nonconformists begin to cautiously explore the possibilities of an unconventional relationship.

"Writer/director Charles Lyons elicits strong performances from actors Tim Huls and Phoebe Jones as a pair comfortable with physical intimacy but hesitant to reveal emotional vulnerability."
— SF Chronicle

  • Charles Lyons
    Director
  • Charles Lyons
    Writer
  • Charles Lyons
    Producer
  • Jaclyn Hebron
    Producer
  • Timothy Huls
    Key Cast
    "Robert"
    The Next Unicorn
  • Phoebe Jones
    Key Cast
    "Kate"
    Bleed American, The Black Earth
  • Joseph Patrick O'Malley
    Key Cast
    "Jeff"
    The Labyrinth
  • Jazmin Brehaut
    Key Cast
    "Suzanne"
    The Broken Rose, All Day and a Night
  • Sergio Alejandro
    Key Cast
    "Eduardo"
    Adaline, Fruitvale Station
  • Maya Butler
    Key Cast
    "Christine"
    NCIS: New Orleans, Pretty Broken
  • April Deutschle
    Key Cast
    "Nicole"
    The Tale of Allen Grey
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    2 hours 8 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 20, 2022
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Charles Lyons

Charles Lyons is a writer, director, producer, cinematographer, and editor who attended the USC film school and has made movies for Disney, Apple, Current TV, and many others. His work has been seen in theaters, at festivals, on TV, and at the US Patent Office. He has lived on three continents and currently resides in California with his dog Darwin.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Rough Edges is a fiercely independent film about the uncertainty of a new relationship seen through the lens of a subculture which is often overlooked and stigmatized. I wanted to show the process of two people getting to know each other and trying to figure out if they can trust each other and whether or not they’re really compatible, in a way that's natural and believable. I also wanted to portray alternative sexuality and non-traditional relationships from a sex-positive perspective that I haven’t really seen in mainstream movies or television. It was important to me that the story feel accessible and universal; I think seeing experiences outside of our own experience or comfort zone can give us insight into things in our own lives that we overlook or take for granted. My intent was to show a specific example of the challenges of finding meaningful connection which hopefully illuminates a larger shared human experience from a fresh, unfamiliar angle.

The script was workshopped at the Center for Sex and Culture with the support of Carol Queen and Jen Cross and it was shot for less than $250,000 under the SAG Ultra Low Budget agreement, with a crew of 7 people.