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CARYN WEST has been a working actress
since 1978. She received a B.A. in Film/Drama from Stanford University and a M.F.A. from
Temple University. Acting credits include the Broadway shows CRIMES OF THE HEART (&
national tour), DANCING AT LUGHNASA (and tour), and THE NERD; leads in two independent
features, numerous guest spots on episodic series (PICKET FENCES being her all-time
favorite), several MOW’s, principal work on 5 soaps, many commercials. In L.A., now
her primary residence, she regularly teaches at Stella Adler’s and privately, and
whenever she’s in NYC at the School for Film and Television. Favorite many leading
roles in major regional theatres include Josie in MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN, May in FOOL
FOR LOVE, Elsa in ROAD TO MECCA, Olga in THREE SISTERS, Lydie Breeze in GARDENIA. She is a
member of the Classical Theatre Lab/LA, and recently directed and acted in Brian
Friel’s FAITH HEALER in their Spring Workshop run. She is extremely proud to have
been an invited guest of the prestigious Directing Workshop for Women at the American Film
Institute in 1996 where her short was developed. About Here dies another Day.
HERE DIES ANOTHER DAY, is a noir thriller set in the early 50’s about how
unexpected violence and emotions disrupt the somber life of a young English professor
taking care of an elderly, senile parent. The backdrop of McCarthyism and the Cold War
highlight the themes of real and imagined enemies, fear and paranoia, heat and chilliness,
simplistic thinking and complex un resolvable problems.
Blacklisted veteran actor John Randolph (PRIZZI’S HONOR, SECONDS, Tony
Award-BROADWAY BOUND) has delivered a very special performance at 82. Judith Hoag
(ARMEGGEDON, TV’s NOTHING SACRED) played the female lead. James Patrick Clarke (Pat
Ryan for years on RYAN’S HOPE) was our third principal. The costume designer is the
Oscar nominee (12 MONKEYS) Julie Weiss.
In our very first film festival in early August, we won a second prize at the Palm
Springs International Short Film Festival (and we are eligible and applying for Academy
Award consideration). Nov. 1, it showed at the San Luis Obispo Film Festival, Nov. 6 at
the New Frontiers Film Festival in Ottawa, Nov.8 and at Worldfest/Charleston (top award
for best short adaptation) and traveled to Berlin, Prague and Krakow with the
EuroUnderground tour. On Nov. 13-15,1997 it screened on a short bill at the Music Hall
Cinema in Beverly Hills. In May it will screen at the Ohio Indie Festival. It is now part
of a travelling Cinewomen screening series.
This film was developed in the extremely competitive Directing Workshop for Women at
the American Film Institute (only 12 women were invited out of 250 industry applicants).
Past participants who have gone on to direct bigger feature projects: Lee Grant, Randa
Haines, Lesli Linka Glatter, Joanne Woodward, Maya Angelou, Karen Arthur and many others.
Comments on indie film making
Autonomy and creative control in indie land is wonderful, but lack of funds and the
endless hustle is very daunting at times. Indie’s best aspect is creating a world
where all kinds of storytelling are possible not the conventional, formulaic and
demographically controlled- to - maximize profits mentality of most studio films. But one
would love some of those big budget numbers and post production facilities that studio
films have at their disposal.
Open question talk about anything
Director post partum, when will it end?. After a year of single
minded and very single-handed completion and promotion of my short, it is hard to refuel
to shoot again. i wonder how many indie directors are i fact one time wonders as the task
is so awesome. ( I hope to return soon when I fall in love with a new story)
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