Chris Frederick Takes On "Heads & Tails"

Chris Frederick as Rob

We've all played Heads & Tails as kids. Sometimes even as adults as we need help making a decision or choosing who gets first choice.  It's seen as fair to both sides.  One person tosses the coin, the other shouts "heads" or "tails" while it's in the air.

Generally, the head and tails sides represent opposites. The expression 'can't make head nor tail of it' expresses this counterpoint. All of this represents the fact that decision making in its simplest form is difficult.  Life issues aren't as easily decided.

Artist, photographer, actor, filmmaker Chris Frederick takes an honest and unique approach to any new project.  I've long been a fan of his work knowing that when he produces something it speaks from his heart with a new perspective.

His first film, "Heads & Tails" takes on gender issues in a humorous yet complex light.  The characters are complicated and human.  Their issues and experiences are very real.  He took some time out from production to answer a few questions about his exciting new project.

Characters of "Heads & Tails": JJ & CandyWhat is "Heads & Tails" about?

"Heads & Tails" is a humorous relationship drama about the complexities of bisexuality. The story, set in New York, follows seven intertwined characters with very different attitudes on sex and love as they struggle with intimacy, honesty and vulnerability. The story centers on the two bisexual characters, Rob and Sloane, and the results of their very different approaches to sexuality.

Where did you get the inspiration for the script for "Heads and Tails"?

The inspiration for the script came from a conversation in a bar I had with the director, Traven Rice, and a group of our friends. So many in the group had experience with both sexes, it made me wonder why more of that isn't depicted in film and television. I thought about it for a long time and recalled an incident right after college when my girlfriend broke up with me because she was jealous of my friendship with another guy. He and I never hooked up, but she couldn't believe that. It drove a wedge between us. I thought it could be fun to fictionalize that experience and really heighten the drama by turning my friend in the above scenario into a former lover for the script. Traven loved the idea and we plotted out a loose web of intertwined relationships that may be affected by this triangle. From there we invited actors that we both new to help us improvise some scenes to help flesh out the story. She and I selected what we liked best, completed the character arcs, tightened the themes and completed the script. We were so thrilled with all the work the actors did with helping develop the story we kept all of them for the film itself.

Characters of "Heads & Tails": Jim and KellyWhat were some of the challenges you found making your first film? The most enjoyable part?

Challenges! Whew, there were too many to list them all, but in the end I've enjoyed learning so much from all the foibles and drama along the way. One of the biggest things I learned about film making is that there is no such thing as too much planning. When you are trying to coordinate a fair sized group of people, equipment, food, locations, costumes and props it is impossible to trouble shoot everything that could go wrong. Even with adequate support, you need to roll with the punches. Unfortunately, since this was our first film and the budget was practically non-existent, the entire crew had way too many responsibilities. For example, on set I was acting, producing, the entire art department, crew coordinator, occasional assistant-director, and responsible for arranging food. I could not have done it without the amazing assistance of friends on set (working for free) who took care of most of the details. The most enjoyable part was feeling surrounded by incredible support from everyone involved. Traven & I worked everyone to death and everyone just kept giving of their time and talents.

Being an artist who has worked in many mediums, how do you find they influence your acting and film work?

Hmmm... working in many mediums is how I think. It's hard to describe. Painting is my meditation, drawing is my exercise, writing my therapy, acting my emotional release, building is what grounds me and designing is what appeals to my sense of beauty. Making a film in the way "Heads & Tails" was made allows me to fuse all of these aspects together. Every creative endeavor I take on is a way for me to delve further into a topic in hopes of learning and sharing that knowledge.

Kelly and Sloane get closeDo you have a favorite character?

My favorite character in "Heads & Tails" is definitely Sloane. She is incredibly witty and brave, yet so vulnerable that her tough as nails exterior is really just a shell hiding her fear of intimacy. Despite seeming very surface at times, I think Sloane actually has the most depth. I love all the characters, though. It's hard not to having written them with the aim of giving them as much humanity as possible. They are all so tragically flawed, no matter who they choose to sleep with.

To learn more about "Heads & Tails," watch the trailer and get involved go to the Say Something Productions website.