Private Project

jk

An office argument gets settled on the baseball field.

  • Howie Kremer
    Director
  • Howie Kremer
    Writer
  • Howie Kremer
    Producer
  • Tracy Meyer
    Key Cast
    "Mona"
    Hello Ladies, Community
  • Tim Jo
    Key Cast
    "Derrick"
    This Is Us, Pitch, Neighbors,
  • Rebekka Johnson
    Key Cast
    "Sheila"
    Glow, Babysitters Club
  • Ali Liebegott
    Key Cast
    "Dottie"
    Transparent, Little America
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 19 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 28, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Howie Kremer

Growing up in St. Louis, I wanted to be like the Cardinals shortstop Ozzie Smith. After many failed backflips, I decided to become an astronaut instead. After hours of procrastination watching “A League of Their Own,” “Planes, Trains & Automobiles,” and “Ghostbusters” on repeat, I realized maybe I had a different calling. Flash forward twenty years later, and I’m in Los Angeles, trying to make the “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” of our generation. In-between my own projects and writing on TV shows, I’ve went back to pretending I was Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, Ozzie Smith, and joined an adult baseball league. This is where the idea for my short film to take place on a baseball field came from, as well as, many of my other writing ideas which have helped me become a finalist for the FOX WRITERS LAB and be selected to the 2019 YOUNG AND HUNGRY LIST.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I directed this film, jk, after an experience dealing with a bully who was so arrogant and immature, it drove me mad. This person would use negative joking as a way to assert dominance and he would always get away with it by saying he was kidding. I came to realize that if I got mad at him, it was exactly what he wanted - he would use my anger or righteousness to try and make me look dumb. In addition to this experience, when I first met my wife she worked at an office where she was routinely sexually harassed. And the men doing it would get away with it by saying they were just joking. The main character in the film, MONA, has a similar experience and confronts her co-worker, DERRICK, after his non-stop bragging and making fun of people under the guise of “just kidding” to answer away his misogyny. Mona challenges him to a baseball game (even though she doesn’t play, or have a team) and through spirited competition ends up hurting Derrick the same way he hurt her, and everyone else. She becomes the thing she detested in the first place. In my personal experience with trying to confront people who try and put you down, I’ve found that mirroring their personalities is not the answer. Being honest and upfront with your feelings is the only way you can solve these issues. Empathy is key to breaking down our differences. Everyone has issues they’re dealing with and the sooner we understand that, the sooner we can connect. Mona’s anger turns to empathy. She attempts to reconcile with Derrick with a friendly gesture, instead of more anger, by offering him an orange slice after the game - small, but meaningful. I found the lead actors, Tracy and Tim, through previous shorts I’ve made with them. They’re supremely talented, and at the table read brought the script to a whole new level and experience for me. Creating this film helped me deal with the pain I dealt with my bully and hopefully will show others a path to a more harmonious life.