Take 5 with "Spanola Pepper Sauce Company"

As we gear up for the Oxford Film Festival 2011 to be held at the Malco Studio Theater on Feb. 10-13, 2011, we thought we might introduce you to some of the people behind the movies we can't wait to show you.

Meet Take 5 filmmaker, Graham Gordy, star and writer of "Spanola Pepper Sauce Company," which is a narrative short that will open the festival on Thursday, Feb. 10. 
For the full schedule and description of the films, visit www.oxfordfilmfest.com.

Q. 1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.

A: Tookie Spanola (aka "Uncle Tookie") describes some of the changes that have taken place at his Spanola Pepper Sauce during his tenure. People should see it because some of those changes might surprise them.
Q. 2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?

A: This was a thoroughly rewarding experience. It began as a silly monologue done in the car while driving through north Louisiana and Mississippi and became realized through the unwavering passion of our director, Ray McKinnon. Our strange, distorted vision for the piece was utterly fulfilled in my mind.
Q. 3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background?

A: Raised in Arkansas, I started out as a playwright. Got my MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU. Moved into screenwriting midway through my degree. Worked as a writer for Mike Myers for five years. In the meantime, had a small, independent film produced called "War Eagle, Arkansas." I've written professionally since then, doing rewrites and pitching scripts. I recently sold a TV pilot to AMC called "The Wreck" and have a script called "The Slow Rise of Wesley Sinker" that's supposed to go into production in late 2011.
Q. 4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?

A: I'm not sure a dream distribution plan for a short, but as much as exposure for this thing as we can get would be nice. We're proud of it.
Q. 5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?

A: The hope is to continue to write professionally and not let the industry make me so jaded that I give up. Little projects like "Spanola Pepper Sauce Company" keep me sane while trying to peddle my wares on the west coast. Thank God for these little indulgences.