We did it! Last weekend I enjoyed good times and great company at the Rhode Island International Film Festival, where DENNY BARRACUDA — the short film based on my play of the same name — screened for the first time. Here I am with director Shannon Goldman (center) and producer Dean Haspiel, whose art is featured in the movie:
The best thing about getting into a film festival? LAURELS!
After those shenanigans, I noticed signs for the PEZ Visitor Center by the highway, and I knew I wouldn’t feel complete until I stepped inside. (I picked up the E.T. 40th anniversary PEZ gift set, which is a real bargain at $5.99.)
And hey, my travels are only beginning: In October I’ll be a special guest at Baltimore Comic-Con. I gotta finish a new mini-comic before I share a table with with Dean, Jeffrey Burandt and Sean Von Gorman.
And hey, while I’m at it, here’s a photo of Jordan, a rad person (and longtime Pop Candy reader) who came to the closing of our comics-themed show at 440 Gallery. Thanks to Jordan and everyone else who showed up during the monthlong exhibition!
A few recs: My friend Natasha turned me on to my80stv.com, a site that plays hours and hours of '80s music videos, TV shows, commercials, etc. — and hey, there are also sites for the '60s, '70s, '90s and 2000s. Keep it on in the background while you wash your delicates or draw silly pictures.
And 3 more things:
THE LAST MOVIE STARS (HBO) - Ethan Hawke directed this beautiful docuseries about the lives and work of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Made during the pandemic, it features interview transcripts read by George Clooney (as Paul), Laura Linney (as Joanne), Sam Rockwell, Vincent D’Onofrio, Karen Allen, Billy Crudup, Maya Hawke and loads more. Watch it and you’ll come away with thick tearstains and a long list of movies you wanna see.
Horsegirl - My friend Will took me to see this rock band outta Chicago because he knew I’d love ‘em … and whoa, was he right. As if I weren’t smitten enough during the set, they played Guided by Voices’ “As We Go Up, We Go Down” for the encore, and I lost my marbles all over the beer-soaked floor.
Podcast recs - There are tons of interviews worth hearing right now, especially Ethan Hawke on TALK EASY (which is maybe the best Ethan Hawke interview I’ve ever read/heard), Natasha Lyonne on Rob Lowe’s LITERALLY, Jeff Tweedy on THE BEST SHOW, Aubrey Plaza on CONAN, Tatiana Maslany on COMEDY BANG BANG, Kate McKinnon on GOOD ONE and Patton Oswalt on WTF.
That’s all for now, but feel free to holler anytime at whitmath@gmail.com. Read my diary comix on Patreon. Watch a short film I wrote and directed, CONTINUITY ERRORS. I’m going on a short writing retreat for the next week, so here’s hoping I return inspired and recharged.
with love, sloth and envy,
whit