Stick Bug - Out now
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Stick Bug - Out now *
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Stick Bug
writer, actor, producer
Stick Bug is about a moment in time between longtime friends and tumultuous flames Rose and Alex, who meet each other for a camping trip in the woods. Overnight the pair navigates their undeniable chemistry while struggling to break their patterns of avoiding their relationship and running from themselves. This film explores the bittersweet experience of being moments away from togetherness, every second teetering on the edge of what could be, if only the right words were said.
Stick Bug is directed by Wylie Anderson (director of How To Cry On Command and Thanks for Having Me) and stars Nico Carney, a Brooklyn-based comedian who recently made his late night debut on Late Night With Seth Meyers. (2024 Comic You Should And Will Know by Vulture, Future Of Funny: 15 Comedians Ready To Break Out In 2025 by Deadline).
FESTIVALS:
London Women Film Festival (Best Short Film Award)
Hudson Valley Film Festival
Imagine This Women’s Film Festival
Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival (Nominated for Best Short & Best Cinematography)
Queens World Film Festival (Nominated for Best LGBTQ+ Film)
Cannes Indie Shorts Awards
Hollywood ShortsFest
UpTilt Film Festival
New York Indie Shorts Awards
NYC Independent Film Festival
Big Apple Film Festival
NewFilmmakers NY
Venezia Shorts Virtual Festival
Semifinalist Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival
FEATURED ON:
Film Shortage (Selection Premiere) & Retrospective Of Jupiter
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CAST:
Talia Frank-Stempel
Nico Carney
TEAM:
Writer & Executive Producer: Talia Frank-Stempel
Director: Wylie Anderson
Producer: Maddy Pomilla
Director of Photography: Seana Rogovin
Editor: Lily Judge
Assistant Director: Sydney Barbera
Associate Producers: Lindsay Bergman, Emma Suits & Sabrina Alvarez
On-Set Producers: Deb Tam & Mariana Urrego
Steadicam Operator / A Camera Operator: Sawyer Oubre
1st AC: Sammy Levine
Super 8mm Camera Operator: Courtney Denk
Gaffer: Isaac Berner
Key Grip: Felipe Oliveira
Production Sound: Scott Fish
Script Supervisor: Gabriella Ribeiro
Production Designer: Kaitlyn O'Bryon
Production Coordinator: Meghan Dresdner
PA: Carli Nelson
Colorist: Josh Bohoskey
Sound Mixer & Designer: Scott Fish & Lorenzo Rossi
Composers: Annie Collette & Nick Arcari
Title Art: Tala Schlossberg
Poster: Chloe Kerwin
Trailer: Joe Zapulla
Vestal Virgins
(writer, director)
A new play that I am currently developing! In December it has its first public staged reading through Quick And Dirty Theatre in Red Hook, starring Madeline Egan Addis, Annie Martino, Annika Cowles, and Cat Yamashita. I am continuing to develop the piece and plan to have a fully staged production once completed.
If you are interested in learning more, obtaining a writing sample, or viewing footage please contact me!
Phoenix
(writer, director)
I began developing Phoenix at the Eugene O’Neill Theater in the spring of 2018 and in the spring of 2019 I directed its premiere performance at Emerson College.
Phoenix is the story of a woman trapped inside of a box and placed as a piece of art in a gallery. Through a series of visitors, flashbacks, take-out food, dancing and dresses the audience experiences life from Ash’s world of 6 walls and 8 corners.
If you are interested in learning more, obtaining a writing sample, or viewing footage please contact me.
Check out the Productions Pictures below!
“The rehearsal process of Phoenix was one of immense collaboration and exploration. Talia gave each actor full rein to develop their characters in a way that they saw fulfilling and authentic. We as actors were encouraged to play and yell and explode, and no matter what, we were held and uplifted in the space. It was the most safe and freeing rehearsal process I have ever experienced and it reignited my love of acting”
— Julianna Egidio, Actor
“Because of my experience playing Ash, I now feel like I can do anything. Thank you for everything you gave to us with this.”
—Chloe Kerwin, Actor
Talia is a dream collaborator to work with - always prepared, always game, always positive, and steps up when you need it the most. Her playful nature in the room is unmatched and her drive to understand the text makes every new play better. Equal parts talented actor, mover, director and writer - Talia is the best.
— SMJ, Playwright