Greetings! Today I’m psyched to share a link to THE TIP, a short film I co-wrote and co-directed with Dean Haspiel:
I was excited to work with Madeleine Morrell again on this project — she also stars in my short film CONTINUITY ERRORS and the upcoming DENNY BARRACUDA, a film based on my play of the same name. In THE TIP she’s joined by her brother, actor Max Morrell (who plays her brother in the film), and 17-year-old talent Zachary Deakyne.
Dean and I have written several things together, but this is the first script we co-directed. We were also honored to write for and work with a neurodiverse actor, and we’re so grateful to the Manhattan Film Institute and the amazing crew. Shooting the film was a blast, although it may be the first and last time I try to make a movie on the beach in the summertime!
What I’ve been doing when I’m not yelling “action”:
1 - I gotta recommend THE OFFER (Paramount+), the delightful drama series about the making of The Godfather. Matthew Goode is mesmerizing as Robert Evans.
2 - I just started watching THE BEAR (FX/Hulu), which packs a whole lotta action into a 30-minute show about a Chicago restaurant.
3 - Tim Heidecker’s new record, HIGH SCHOOL, is laid-back nostalgia for folks who grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Kurt Vile joins him on “Sirens of Titan,” a track that references Claudia Schiffer and CNN’s Peter Arnett.
4 - Have I recommended Harvey Fierstein’s memoir? Get it! Smart. Gossipy. Hilarious. Heartfelt.
5 - I have zero negative things to say about TOP GUN: MAVERICK and MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON, which lured me to the theater.
6 - Congrats to comedian Howard Kremer for freeing himself from the firewall so now anyone can listen to his fantastic podcast, WHO CHARTED?. Get extras and support the show by becoming a member.
7 - Here are two huge roundups of graphic novels for adults and kids that are coming out this summer. I’m particularly psyched for books from Jordan Crane, Nick Drnaso and Andi Watson.
8 - Meryl Streep loves her glasses, and the NYT highlights this with some suave multimedia.
9 - My friend Bob Krasner was featured on NY1 for his abstract photographs of New York. He also took these jumping photos of myself and friend/artist Marlene Weisman.
10 - I’m catching up on episodes of the SOUND OPINIONS podcast. There are some great ones, like a roundup of the best albums of the year so far, interviews with Lenny Kaye and John Doe and a tribute to EXILE ON MAIN STREET.
11 - And finally, thanks to everyone who came to the opening of SEQUENTIAL SYNERGY, the comics-themed exhibition I juried with Dean Haspiel. If you’re in Brooklyn this month, please stop by. It runs through July 29.
That’s all! Reach out at whitmath@gmail.com, and have a splendid weekend.
Jugs of hugs,
Murray Slaughter