Big George
Big George (2024 Winner: Waco Indie Best Performance in a Short) When a middle-aged actor gains too much pandemic weight to pull off his survival gig as a George Clooney impersonator, he struggles to justify to his nine-year-old daughter—and to himself—why he’s still chasing his dream.
Director/Writer/Producer Jamie Effros accepts the Best Performance Award on behalf of Jake Hart at the 2024 Waco Indie Film Fest.
Big George is celebrating some big news, and we’re happy to chat with the film’s director/writer/producer, Jamie Effros. Jamie, congrats on the online premiere! This feels like such a personal story, tell us what inspired you to make your film?
JE: I'd wanted to make something with my friend Jake Hart and his daughter, Beatrix (you might recognize her from the Cotton Candy Girl meme) for years, and Jake happens to bear a striking resemblance to a certain someone...
Beatrix is SUPER excited!
Twins, right?!?
We had no idea about Beatrix’s meme superstardom. That’s amazing. And Jake does have an uncanny resemblance to Clooney! The Harts seem like special people. What was it like working with them? Any difficult choices in making the film?
JE: Honestly, what to cut out! Jake and Beatrix have so many fantastic moments, and it was heartbreaking to let go of any of them.
Who else would you like to collaborate with in the future?
JE: So many people, but Ruben Östlund and Joachim Trier are two guys I'd just like to be on set with to WATCH them work. I think they are phenomenal directors. But if I could pluck an actor out of history, I'd want to work with Robin Williams.
Robin Williams was a tremendous talent that left us too soon. Are there other filmmakers that have inspired you?
JE: There are too many- I could get fabulously nerdy on Kubrick, but I'm gonna pick Mike Mills, just because I've been thinking about him recently, and I don't think he gets enough credit for his work. There is so much deep feeling and humanity in it. I think C'mon, C'mon was a terribly overlooked film in 2021.
Filmmaking can be so difficult, how do you stay motivated?
JE: Making things with my hands: gardens, ceramics, dinner. (But truly, OTHER projects)
What do you remember most about Waco Indie?
JE: The warmth of the staff, the camaraderie of the filmmaker community, and some damn good food!
Thank you! Now, how do we keep up with you and any future films?
JE: INSTA: @nonetrickpony and @Biggeorgefilm, and please like and comment on the film!
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