interview by Roy Chalkevski
Chelsea Murphy - director of Yucca Fest
No stranger to being in front of the camera, the director of the world’s first vaporwave movie Yucca Fest was admittedly green to working a production behind the scenes. The first time director took on the job as a favor to first time producer Brady Trainor. Chelsea was already working on the film as a casting director with Brady when the film’s original director and personal friend to both, Walt Roseboro III, passed away.
“We didn’t know what to do at that point.” Trainor said. After more than a week of confusion and processing things started to sort themselves out. “When I started to think back at it, Chelsea had absolutely nailed all the characters during her reads with the talent. She understood the direction Walt and I were going for.” Ultimately the film was made and dedicated to Walt’s memory.
The award winning film made quite the splash at the Vegas Movie Awards, winning an award of merit for best indie feature. And it’s soundtrack is now available for pre-orders via Bandcamp. I sat down with Chelsea Murphy to get her take on Yucca Fest.
Cast and crew set up for scene 31.
Your career is more actress/casting director facing. How did you end up in the director’s chair?
Walt Roseboro III was the original director of the film but tragically he passed away shortly before we were about to start production. We thought about scrapping the film internally, but in the end chose to complete it in dedication to Walt. We decided the mantle should be taken by someone he knew and I was honored to be asked.
Pete, Summer, Zach, and Kevin (Jey Reynolds, Monroe Cline, Nicholas Harsin, and Dale Van Slyke) look over their heist plans.
You cast this film pretty much entirely by yourself. How do you even start that process on such a low budget shoot?
Luckily there are a lot of great resources out there that you can use without breaking the bank. We cast our first round by self tapes and then brought the second round in for in-person auditions, followed by chemistry reads. Actors love to come in the room and play/exercise their imagination so it was more important for me to choose the right sides that show off what we need for the role than being extra with the budget.
The world’s first vaporwave feature film — Yucca Fest — coming soon
What did you do to accomplish adding elements of a musical genre (vaporwave) into indie cinema?
I consumed a lot of vaporware content, mostly music videos and art. I really love the colors and nostalgia of it.
And then Brady setting the film in Joshua Tree sort of adds a kind of nostalgia to it as well — and the setting is a huge part of the movie too. That can be a really spiritual place. Was that your experience, or was it more just work work work?
Joshua Tree is very peaceful and beautiful. I’d love to go back sometime when I’m not working to really appreciate the full extent of it. Looking back being in such a lovely area probably did help with some of the natural stresses that come with movie making.
Joshua trees against an artificial night sky.
Some days were easier than others on the shoot for sure—and there were a few days that didn’t really go a planned at all. How much of what we see on screen was planned out, and what was spur of the moment?
Due to scheduling conflicts, we ended up losing a location, but luckily the last minute replacement location ended up being my favorite one and adding a great pop of color that we hadn't planned.
A desert sunset at Yucca Fest.
If there’s one thing, some aspect or scene, that you think you absolutely nailed, what was it?
I think overall the chemistry between the core cast was something we really nailed. We worked a lot in rehearsal to have real connection between them and they developed genuine friendships which transferred well on screen.
Jesse (Zachary Zarvos) argues with Sammy G (Michael Gambino) over the price.
Yeah the entire main cast was great. Can you tell us about how Zachary Zarvos was cast? It was a fairly last minute decision, wasn’t it?
Yes! actually our original “Jesse” ended up no showing on the first day of filming. I knew Zarvos from classes at Playhouse West and I knew he had the talent to really bring Jesse to life in the way we needed but what I didn’t know was if he was going to be able to drop whatever he was doing and B line to the desert. To my relief he did. He really came through—I mean we had someone read the script in a voice recording so he could listen to in and try to memorize his lines on the drive up and then memorizing other scenes in-between takes. I’m impressed and very thankful for him.
Yucca Fest director Chelsea Murphy (right) prepares for her cameo in the movie as “Riley”.
What do you think are the most important things to keep in mind while making an indie low budget/high concept movie?
Community and teamwork. Remembering we’re all on the same side and working together to bring something to life. A lot of times this means people taking on multiple roles. There were times I was a stand in and times I was even an extra. I think almost everyone in the crew took on multiple roles which was a key component to it all coming together.
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It’s all part of the plan as four friends in southern California (Monroe Cline, Jey Reynolds, Nicholas Harsin, and Dale Van Slyke) decide to rob a music festival. The only problem; someone else has their eye on the money.
The film stars Monroe Cline, Jey Reynolds, Nicholas Harsin, Dale Van Slyke, Zachary Zarvos, Enrique Oseguera, and Cazimir Milostan.
YUCCA FEST is directed by Chelsea Murphy and written by Sunshine Green. The film is produced by Brady Trainor, Walt Roseboro III, and Jey Reynolds. Michael Huffington serves as the executive producer. The film is produced by meddle media.