Morgan Elizabeth Cox

Today was the final day of films for the 2008 BendFilm Festival, which was a great success! My celebration started Wednesday evening, when I was invited to a dinner with my boss, and Executive Director of BendFilm, Sandy Henderson. For the next four days I met so many amazing and talented people; actors, directors, producers, film fanatics, the list just goes on and on. THE CIRCUIT had four screenings, three of which my friends and I were able to attend. Our audiences were good, and most important of all, they actually responded with laughter. In all the screenings. It is supposed to be a comedy. Comedy is supposed to make people laugh. It is supposed to be funny. Well, looks like it did the trick. The most exciting screening we were able to see, was last night at THE REGAL CINEMAS. It was a huge space, and the theater was more than half full…I actually heard a huge, commercial theater space filled with laughter. Not something I plan on forgetting. Some sponsors of the Festival and attendees came up to me and asked me “Do you get weird watching yourself in this movie? Does it make you shy?” I thought about being modest, thinking maybe I should just tell them it is difficult, but instead I told the truth “Actually, I am having a blast watching myself on the big screen.” For me, watching myself perform comedy is a different experience than watching myself perform dramatic work. I feel so strongly that a lot (if not majority) of comedy is about timing, beats, exercising certain ways of delivering a line. Breaking things down, and then using your own instinct within the breakdown. A formula of sorts. It makes it super fun to watch! Plus, I actually believe in my talent, so it is endlessly creative and fun to try and figure out how to make something work. Why, you ask? Because I know I can make it work.

There are so many wonderful things to say about the Festival. Filmmakers were thrilled to be seeing their work screened for audiences. They were taken care of and rewarded for all the passion and hard work they give to this career. I was endlessly inspired and overwhelmed with how excited and ready I am to move to Los Angeles. The time is here. It has been about seven months, and now I am down to seven days until I am in my packed car, driving South. I can’t wait. This Festival was the greatest send-off I could have asked for.

CONGRATULATIONS 2008 BENDFILM WINNERS AND SCREENERS!