Tennessee Martin – Hangry

By starrymag | September 11, 2018

By: Dana Jacoviello

 

 

Q) What was the inspiration behind you wanting to do your own short film Hangry, compared to what you do now behind the scenes working on film and TV? 

 

A) I wanted to create something of my own, with my own voice. I wrote the script before my step father passed away but was too afraid to make the film for fear of retaliation. When he passed away before we resolved our tumultuous relationship, I decided to make Hangry as a way to reclaim my power – to prove to myself that he no longer holds any power over me.

 

Q) What is the meaning behind the name Hangry? 

 

A) “Hangry” is a cross between when you’re hungry to the point of being angry over it. The lead character Rae is both physically hungry, but she’s also hungry for justice to a point where her anger takes over…

 

 

Q) You have a Kickstarter launching September 18th to raise money. What will the campaign entail such as trailers or perks and how long will it run? 

 

A) We have an array of perks, but one of the big ones is the chance to enjoy a home cooked southern breakfast with me in Los Angeles (travel not included). Natanya Ross (Robyn Russo from “The Secret World of Alex Mack”) has also offered to donate a few things from their show in support.

 

Q) Are there any teases you can divulge on who will be involved with the film? 

 

A) We’re not at the point of sharing cast yet, but Bola Ogun is a phenomenal director and I have complete faith in her ability to cast incredible talent to carry this movie.

Our entire above the line crew is female, which will be a pretty cool experience.

 

Q) How did you get involved with Bola Ogun to direct? 

 

A) I met Bola at a mutual friend’s birthday party and we decided to meet for coffee at a later date. It’s normal to network A LOT in LA. But when Bola and I met up at Bolt coffee shop in Hollywood, I knew that she was different and someone I wanted to work with. We talked about our aspirations and how difficult this career is. By the end of our talk we were holding hands and laugh-crying at the back of the coffee shop. In that moment, I realized that we were going to be more than colleagues, but also great friends.

 

 

Q) How did the creation of Hangry begin as far as getting it off the ground after you wrote the script?

 

 

A) Bola read it…I probably wouldn’t have had the courage to push forward with this project if Bola hadn’t told me that she was interested in directing the project. We talked about it for over a year and then finally one day she asked me, “You ready to make this movie or not?”

 

And that was it. She started making phone calls and locked in our crew. I cleaned up the script. Next thing I knew we were in the back of an old ranch house in East Compton filming the Kickstarter video that launches on Sept. 18th.

 

 

Q) Being that you are openly part of the LGBTQ community, will there be any LGBTQ representation in the film or do you plan on playing a role in it? 

 

A) I definitely won’t be in it. Acting has never really been a part of my journey in this industry. My hope for the future of filmmaking is that we can have queer characters whose stories don’t focus solely on their sexuality or identity. So, while this story isn’t a coming out story or a story about the struggle of being queer — there is a very subtle aspect of Hangry that will give my queer audience what I believe they want which is visibility.

 

 

Q) What message do you hope to spread with this film? 

 

A) A lot of us experience trauma in our youth that we never resolve or reclaim. We can take our power back from our abusers and bullies. That’s what Hangry is for me.

 

 

Q) What are your plans once it is done filming? Can we expect to see this in film festivals or will it be available to the public for purchase or on a social media platform? 

 

A) We are definitely taking it the festival route. We have a few on our list that we’d love to make it into including Telluride. But if I could show Hangry at the Citizen Jane Film Festival in Columbia, Missouri that would be an item to check off my bucket list. I used to volunteer at that festival during undergrad and have always wanted to be on the artists side of things. It’s a great festival with great people.

 

Q) We all know that Hollywood can use more female filmmakers, do you plan to continue maybe making a shift in that direction in the future? 

 

A) I have the incredible opportunity right now to work for an A-list director, and am trying to be a sponge that soaks up all of the knowledge I can in the world of directing. I hope to direct eventually, but wanted to put Hangry into more capable hands. It’s my passion project. I wanted it to be great, and with Bola at the helm I trust that it will be.