This film is my tribute to Curb Your Enthusiasm. At the time I wrote it back in 2012, I was watching a lot of television shows. I love Larry David and all his creativity. I wanted to do something similar. My goal was to double my last film which was 15 minutes. We hit 30 minutes run time. The idea was to create an episode that felt as it was in the middle of the season in the second season or so. I wanted people who watched it to feel the need to search for more of them. After the film premiered on Amazon Prime and at Festivals it did just that. I've heard that people wanted to see more and were waiting for the next episode.
After I finished my 15-minute short film, "Tomorrow Never Comes" I had my son and changed jobs twice so jumping into a new film had to wait. At my new job, there were two employees who shared the same passion I did for filmmaking. I thought a comedy would be great to get our feet wet in working together. I used my film connections in the Fort Lauderdale community to set up a day for auditions. Not a lot of people responded because I was very strict on who can attend. Actors could only audition who submitted a reel, which I don't think was asking too much. I needed to have a group audition because I needed the two main characters to have chemistry. I couldn't take a chance even though it was a free project. Unfortunately, I had only one actor show up to audition for Darwin and one actor audition for Milton. But they kind of knew each other and not only did they work great together they took my criticism very well. I knew these guys were going to be funny.
On the first day of production, I made the mistake of shooting three scenes in three different locations, but it worked out just a very long day. Going forward we did one scene per location per day. We filmed consecutively taking a short time off for the Christmas holiday then back at it. The crew varied from two to four on any given shoot. The majority was just Sucre (cinematographer) and I. I cut scenes together right after we would shoot them. On the second to the last day of filming, I showed the main actors the opening scene to see what they thought. I wanted to have the opening scene in one take, but because we were driving and riffing I chopped it up so it didn't drag. It was actually funnier. Needless to say, they loved it. I released the shot film to festivals on April 1, 2018. We made some "Official Selections" but to our surprise, we won five awards in the Guerilla MovieMaking Award Festival. Soon after that, I uploaded it to Amazon Prime to share with the world.
Two years later, I was approached by actor Lj Ugarte, Darwin, to do a sequel. But "Shut Up, You!" actually has a connection to an earlier comedy short film I did back in 2013, "Spencer Jones: The Cubicle Chronicles". Milton, the main character of "Shut Up, You!", is a writer and is working on a teleplay called, "Spencer Jones: The Cubicle Chronicles". So the last in the trilogy would focus on Darwin. Darwin would be seeking the attention of Milton whose too busy working on his series, "Spencer Jones: The Cubicle Chronicles". Darwin, the imaginary character, would go through the five stages of grief in order to come to the understanding that he's no longer needed in Milton's world. It's actually more of a dramatic comedy. The upcoming film would have a character arch of Darwin, Milton, and Spencer Jones. The film entitled, "Darwinism" is currently in pre-production. I'm looking forward to sharing this new project with you and closing the story on a good note.
Reviews
BlueCat Screenplay Script Analysis
This is a light-hearted comedy between two best friends (even though one is inside the mind of the other). This fact though, makes for an exciting story. What could come of such a duo? They argue, they celebrate together, and they clearly love each other very much. Milton’s goal to have his show made is a great goal for him. It advances the plot to its ultimate resolution. Even the side plot of Milton getting a date is interesting and funny.
Shut Up, You! is a brilliant and refreshingly original screenplay that masterfully blends sharp humor, introspective character development, and an unpredictable storyline. The story follows Milton Schlesinger, an underdog writer trying to break into the television industry, and his chaotic relationship with his imaginary friend, Darwin. The screenplay is packed with wit, heart, and moments of genuine emotion, making it an unforgettable ride for audiences.
The character of Milton is wonderfully complex, a perfect blend of vulnerability and ambition, and his struggles with self-doubt and insecurities are relatable and heartwarming. His interactions with Darwin, while humorous, also reveal the deeper, more poignant aspects of Milton’s psyche, offering a unique exploration of mental health and the creative process. Darwin is a standout character, both as a source of comedic relief and a symbol of Milton's internal conflict. Their dynamic is both hilarious and heart-rending, showcasing a friendship that goes beyond the conventional.
What sets Shut Up, You! apart from other comedies is its ability to seamlessly weave together the absurd with the real. The pitch meetings, awkward dates, and the relentless pursuit of success are all heightened by the oddball nature of Milton’s life and his constantly unpredictable interactions with Darwin. The humor is sharp but never mean-spirited, and the screenplay knows just when to turn down the comedy to give moments of introspection and emotional depth. This balance between laugh-out-loud moments and genuine, heartfelt storytelling creates a unique cinematic experience.
The screenplay’s pacing is spot on, with each scene driving the narrative forward while allowing the characters to evolve in meaningful ways. The subplots—Milton's troubled personal life, his paranoia about his ideas being stolen, and his journey to find confidence—are all woven into the main plot with subtlety and precision. The ending, which sees Milton finding unexpected success while still grappling with his internal struggles, leaves the audience with a sense of hope and understanding that success is as much about personal growth as it is about external achievement.
Shut Up, You! is a standout comedy that offers both laughs and insight, thanks to its sharp writing, strong character arcs, and unique blend of humor and heart. It’s a rare gem that succeeds in making the audience think while keeping them thoroughly entertained, and it’s a screenplay that deserves to be seen by a wide audience.
