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Playing It Straight

A guy deep dives into his family dynamics on a 2nd date. Through comedic flashbacks we learn of his unconventional upbringing with his two closeted lesbian mothers.

  • Charissa Sanjarernsuithikul
    Director
    LA Hustle
  • Joshua V. Gilbert
    Writer
    The Flash
  • Mark Hobson
    Producer
  • in association with Westy Productions
    Producer
  • Executive Producer Charissa Sanjarernsuithikul
    Producer
    LA Hustle
  • Jay Hayden
    Key Cast
    "Kevin"
    Station 19, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The Catch
  • Michelle Borth
    Key Cast
    "Savannah"
    Hawaii Five-0, The Forgotten, Tell Me You Love Me
  • Melissa Bickerton
    Key Cast
    "MAG"
    Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Arrested Development, Lost
  • Evin Grant
    Key Crew
    Director of Photography
  • Neil Rain Persad
    Key Crew
    Production Designer
  • Todd Gerlinger
    Key Crew
    Editor
  • Joe Berry
    Key Crew
    Composer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 39 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 1, 2017
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, RED Epic-W
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Cinequest Film & VR Festival
    San Jose, CA (Silicon Valley)
    United States
    February 28, 2018
    World Premiere
    Official Selection: Short Film Program 3 The Reality of Illusion
  • Cinequest Film & VR Festival
    San Jose, CA (Silicon Valley)
    United States
    March 1, 2018
    Official Selection: Short Film Program 3 The Reality of Illusion
  • Cinequest Film & VR Festival
    San Jose, CA (Silicon Valley)
    United States
    March 2, 2018
    Official Selection: Short Film Program 3 The Reality of Illusion
  • Cinequest Film & VR Festival
    San Jose, CA (Silicon Valley)
    United States
    March 4, 2018
    Official Selection: Short Film Program 3 The Reality of Illusion
Director Biography - Charissa Sanjarernsuithikul

A native Angeleno, Charissa Sanjarernsuithikul is a director whose roots in Hollywood began with her first job as a film projectionist. Her love of cinematic storytelling led her to USC film school where she discovered the magic of editing and developed skills that would lead to an 18 year career in TV post production. Working alongside powerhouse Showrunners such as Greg Berlanti, Kevin Williamson, Shonda Rhimes, Allan Heinberg and Aaron Sorkin, Charissa's editing credits include "The Following," "The Newsroom" and "Doom Patrol." Her love of photography (the ability to visually tell a story in a single frame) combined with her fluency of filmic language and craft of performance have given way to her inevitable true calling: directing.

In 2016, Charissa took a break from editing to shadow on the TV shows "Major Crimes" (WB/TNT), "Conviction" (ABC), "The Catch" (ABC) and "Time After Time" (ABC) to enrich her craft and learn firsthand from working directors. A year later, Charissa directed and executive produced her debut short film, "Playing It Straight," a lighthearted dramedy that was an Official Selection of the 2018 Cinequest Film & VR Festival in Silicon Valley. Charissa's 2nd short, "LA Hustle," was part of the Alliance Of Women Directors Shoot 'Em Up Female Filmmaker Series, where she was selected as a director to adapt a true story of a fellow AWD filmmaker. Her short films rendered her a finalist in the 2018-2020 Disney ABC Directing Program and a participant in the 2018 Sony Pictures Television Diverse Directors Program & 2019 Warner Bros Television Directors' Workshop. Charissa's episodic television directorial debut was the Season 2 Midseason Finale of "God Friended Me" for CBS. She is repped by Circle of Confusion.

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Director Statement

As a heterosexual female who wasn’t raised by lesbian mothers, one could ask whether a story like "Playing It Straight" is something I’d naturally gravitate to as the subject of my first film. In fact, I’d be the first to admit that in my search for the perfect project, a lighthearted comedy with themes of family and homosexuality wasn’t even on my radar. As a television editor turned director, my editing career had been firmly rooted in hour long dramas of nearly every other genre: horror, sci-fi, super heroes, capers, political dramas and westerns. A script like "Playing It Straight" was a clear departure.

And that’s what I absolutely loved about it! Josh’s script told a personal tale that delighted, entertained, challenged and simply swept me off my feet. It was this magical, quirky little thing that was dancing to the beat of its own drum. It didn’t follow conventional narrative structure with forced conflict and predictable outcomes. It was wickedly refreshing with such a light, effervescent tone and it was the perfect vehicle for me to flex my visual muscles and display savvy editing tricks with designed transitions. As a budding director, this short script checked off all the boxes of what I didn’t know I was looking for.

And even though I wasn’t raised by lesbian mothers, every human being knows what it feels like to want someone to live their truth, be comfortable in their own skin and to just be happy. This story, while unconventional, was UNIVERSAL and completely relatable. When I’d first read the script, I had no idea this was Josh’s actual life story but it became clear that the reason why this film works is because of its authenticity. Josh’s story resonated with each and every one of us and we’re all so excited to bring his story to life!