The Waiting List: a foul-mouthed, sex-obsessed, back-stabbing comedy about preschool enrollment.

http://filmsnobbery.com/2009/09/24/the-waiting-list/

I like any review that has this in the opening paragraph: “I literally cannot think of a bad thing to say about it.”  Read the whole review here (and he does find one thing “bad” to say…)

The Waiting List has been selected to the 2009 Ellensburg Film Festival (in Washington).  

We are in good company, judging by the list of narrative features playing this year. 

Looking forward to the roadtrip up to Ellensburg.  See you soon, Washingtonians!

Here’s the review from Bret Van Horn (or read the review on his site by clicking this link):

I’m not entirely sure how long it took me to accept the facts that I’m now a parent and that my life has significantly changed in many ways as a result. But when it did sink in, it hit me hard. I realized that much of my freedom was not, in fact, going to return any time soon. I also realized that my days of hanging out in smoky rock clubs, going deaf to the soundtrack of indie rock bands turned up to eleven and drinking with my friends had been replaced by arranged dinners and play dates with parents of kids that my kids liked. And my evenings, once spent staying up late writing, goofing off, making music—all gone in favor of the elusive and rarely consistent sleep.

The Waiting List, a completely indie film produced in Portland, OR, is the Catcher in the Ryefor Generation X parents. Written by director/producer, Mike Vogel while he was a stay-at-home dad, the film takes the perspective of parenting that many parents would never express out loud. The idea that it’s okay to love our kids and do things for them we wouldn’t even do for ourselves, but also okay to feel or express regret over our losses of freedom is a sentiment that is not often communicated in modern media. Using humor that ranges from raunchy to subtle, the film is a witty and sometimes edgy take on parenting in the 21st century.

The film itself  takes place in a fictitious preschool where parents are required to spend the night at the school to maintain their childrens’ spot on the waiting list. When this particular group of parents is united, we discover that they all have regrets, issues, anxieties and complaints about being parents, which ends up being the common bond that joins them all together. I’ve seen this film compared to The Breakfast Club—and rightfully so—because it locks a group of varied personalities into a room together and forces them to communicate, commiserate and to understand one another. I can totally see that comparison. But it also has elements of a great Woody Allen film or even a Kevin Smith film, with pointed monologues and witty, complex dialog, respectively.

However, more than just a bunch of comparisons, this film is the launching pad for Mike Vogel, who demonstrates that he is a filmmaker with his own unique voice and style. Woven throughout the humor, one can also find some sincere sentiments, betrayal, emotional conflict and young parents making amends with what their lives have become.

The cast is great, with impressive performances by Audrey Walker as the reluctant mother,Jayme S Hall as the comedic stay-at-home dad, Bryce Flint-Somerville as Ben the workaholic troubled husband, Amada Englund as the scheming Kathryn and Teresa Decheras the potentially pregnant teen, Ella. Mercedes Rose also puts in a great performance as the modern day schoolmarm who debriefs the parents on their upcoming night’s mission. Never overstated or melodramatic, the acting is incredibly well-done for an indie film. Each member of the cast is great in his or her own way, putting out natural performances that are convincing and never forced.

The cinematography and editing, for a low budget film, were also well done. There were some genuinely beautiful shots of Portland and some excellent stylized transitions to cut between scenes. I’d also be remiss to leave out the soundtrack, which had a unique and fitting style to it. This film is clearly a labor of love, with no details left to spare.

Is The Waiting List right for you? In short, any parent who’s been forced to sit through Dora the Explorer, watch endless princess movies, strike up awkward conversations at play dates or just generally wonder why they do the things they do for their kids will be able to relate to this film. On an entirely different level, the film has also reminded me that as parents, we can (and need to) carve out time to do things for ourselves or we can’t be good parents. We need to get out with our friends once in awhile, work on our hobbies, do the things that make us ourselves or we become someone we’re not familiar with, someone we may not want raising our children.

If you’re a parent, or hell, if you simply love indie films, keep an eye on the film’s web site for upcoming showings. Next one up is at the Eugene Film Festival and Mike Vogel says he’s trying to get a Portland screening going soon. Did I mention it won for best local feature film at the Washougal International Film Festival this year? Yep. Do check this out if you get the opportunity. And if you don’t, make it happen some other way.

“The Waiting List” is an odd piece that seems to divide an audience – men enjoyed the sarcasm and witty humor while some women may have laughed but were left unfulfilled. A group of parents attempt to get their kids into the most prestigious pre-school in the area. They have to spend the night in order to get on the school’s precious “waiting list.” I hate to keep making past movie references, but this cries out like Breakfast Club meets Clerks with parental angst. Now that may sound like a possible bummer, but it’s not largely due to the amiable cast and some very clever dialogue.

The standout amongst the parents is Chris played by Jayme S. Hall who also is the comic relief, a stay-at-home dad with no filter accompanying his thoughts regarding sex, kids, pregnant women, Dora the Explorer. This character is written with such glee and Hall gives a very funny, flippant performance that also touches the heart. I would say that his is the primary reason to see the film, but it’s not. There are genuine moments between Teresa Decher as Ella and Audrey Walker as Audrey. Ella is a teen who may or may not be pregnant and struggling with the notion of it while questioning Audrey who could be giving birth that week. It’s a casual and fun dynamic that does not hit us over the head with moral issues. Instead, it allows us to play with the complexities in our heads.

Then there is Ben (Bryce Flint-Somerville), the uptight, blackberry cursed, henpecked/work worn father who just needs a break. Unfortunately, he meets up with an old flame played with evil deliciousness by Amanda Englund. She is the all-consuming bitch that plays hall monitor and snake, attempting everything she can to claw her way to a higher spot on the list so her son can be guaranteed a seat in the precious school. Ben is a great foil and one cannot help cheer for him at every turn. We feel his pain and laugh at it at the same time.

The film does wander off at times in its rhythm, but just before it loses you Hall breaks in with another funny bit that reels us back in. Budget constraint aside, “The Waiting List” is worthwhile with a cast that is worth the wait.

Looking forward to the roadtrip down to Eugene in October!  More details to come…

This is known as the Princess Scene from The Waiting List.  Chris, a stay-at-home dad waiting in line to get his kid into pre-school, talks about his daughter’s obsession with Disney Princesses. And how he developed a princess obsession of his own…

Jayme S. Hall plays Chris.

So watch the clip and let us know…. who are your your Top 3 Princesses?

(Also on YouTube, if that’s how you roll.)

Check out our set on Flickr.

Friday

April 3rd 2009, 2:30PM – World Premiere!  Be part of history (or at least part of our movie’s history).  Q&A with writer/director Mike Vogel and actors Audrey Walker and Amanda Englund after.  Be there!

Saturday

April 4th 2009, 11:30AM - Script to Screen: Screenwriting for Independent Film

Writer/Director Mike Vogel will be on the panel. 

April 4th 2009, 4:00PM – Behind the Scenes with Festival Filmmakers

Writer/director Mike Vogel will be on the panel. 

Sunday

April 5th 2009, 11:30AM – Actor’s Roundtable: Life as an Indie Actor

Actors Audrey Walker and Amanda Englund are on the panel. 

If you don’t know what flair is, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bXHPqj3NcI