What is Wry Potato?
Wry Potato is the production company I've created to produce a short (yet to be titled) documentary about a trip some friends of mine are taking from Chicago to Atlantic City.
In a rented RV.
For 48 hours (not to mention the 14 hour trek...each way.)
To compete in the National Trivia Association's Quizzo Finals.
This whole scenario - meeting up to play Quizzo, what lead to the trip, the trip itself - is all based on a friendly lark of sorts. In a way, it's rather incomprehensible that this trip is even happening.
Which is the reason that convinced me this needed to be documented.
And why not document the documentary in a space that keeps me quasi-accountable?
Why the hell am I wasting my precious life reading this and/or care?
Well, I suppose you either:
1) Know me personally
2) Know someone who I've sweetly cajoled into helping me with this project
3) Know someone who knows me and followed their link/reference.
4) Have an odd fixation on potatoes and/or the word "wry"
5) Are a curious and/or lucky sort and stumbled upon this blog.
Do you have any experience making documentaries/films?
Yes and no. I went to film school (like 20 years ago) and then dropped out about 6 months shy of my degree. I haven't seriously picked up a camera since that time. In the past 20 years, I have become a luddite in the digital age. Which increased my distance.
The two people I am most creatively inspired by are Errol Morris and Studs Terkel. Mainly because they have spent lifetimes giving voices to everyday folk - be they a scientist or a street sweeper. I believe there is power in a person's story. There is the power for people to connect, to learn, to illuminate. The more I know about your story, the more I can relate to you and vice-versa. And the truth is, everyone has a story. Some are humorous and others heartbreaking, but it's the craft of telling it that draws folks in.
If you asked me what I personally think would solve many the problems in the world - war, poverty, hate, homelessness. I really do think it lies in honestly listening to people. If you connect to someone on a personal basis, they are no longer a number or a statistic. When you know their voice, their cadence, their humor, their anger, their disappointments and challenges, you really can connect and the opportunity arises to make a change.
Although, this project isn't that grandiose. This is more a challenge to myself to pick a camera back up and be creative. I just want to make a fun little movie about whatever it is that is making this trip tick in my brain. Ultimately, my goal is to submit it to a few film festivals. My partner in crime, Geo, is already talking about what our next project should be...but the first goal is to get this shot, cut, in the can and out into the ether.
Wish us luck.
