Still from Two Weeks From Monday

I knew I would eventually end up behind the camera, but I thought that would be after a few more years as an actress and film school or something to that effect. But I started thinking about it one day -- "Why not experiment now? Why wait for the money? I’m competent, right?" I mentioned it to a few friends and they didn’t say much, but I don’t think they thought I was serious.  Time passed and my company, Cacao Films, came to be. I questioned my sanity every step of the way. “What the hell am I doing? Can I write something that makes sense? Will it make sense at the end? I mean - come on, I didn’t take a training course in this…” It’s been that way for the last three years. I reckon it will be that way for the months to come. Who knows?

It was one thing being in front of the camera. I only got a few bad looks from a few actresses. As a writer, producer, director, and now editor, the reception has been mixed so far. I’ve gotten respect and support from industry professionals along with a few lies and insults from others (nothing worth talking about, but it’s been noted). It all comes down to respect.

                 
                                                                         Carissa Weir

The experience so far has been priceless. I wouldn’t change a thing. Some one once said making a film is like fighting a war with many battles. I agree. It’s a war I’d fight over and over again. Going on no sleep for many nights, or sleeping for only two hours before having to wake up to get the boys to school, then being able to sleep for 12 hours the next night. That’s the best sleep ever and the feeling of productivity is irreplaceable.

 Two Weeks from Monday is a short subject film about a young woman who has a choice to make between what she wants in life and what is expected of her. It begins as the main character, Simone, a twenty-something woman gets ready for a routine day at work. Her day is thrown off as she is reminded of an approaching deadline. She manages to get through the day only to face the very thing she was avoiding.

Ironically, the lead character in my first film reflects my life and the challenge I faced dealing with fear.  It was something I was battling with and as I soon realized that close friends and colleagues had with the same issue, I decided to document it using the impact my brother had on me. You see, he had Muscular Dystrophy, but he was able to live with the life he had. He found value in each day and with each breath, but there I was -- afraid. Afraid of what society might think about me finding value in my life. He made me aware and I just wanted to share it with the world.

I had the pleasure of living in three countries by the age of ten. Jamaica was the foundation -- work ethics, island life, jerk chicken, curried goat, jelly coconut, grape nut ice cream, bathing in the river, and walking along the seaside. That sea breeze; salty and soothing.  London was different, cold and grey in the middle of August. Fish and chips, salt and vinegar chips, candy for half pence, little girls wearing neckties as part of their uniforms, and snow -- white snow, icy snow, and dirty muddy snow. Then there was Oakland, California.

            What can I say? Oakland is a beautiful place to live and make movies in. The geographical, architectural, and cultural diversity is amazing. This place is a gem, from the taco trucks on International to the gourmet stops of the many different neighborhoods, each with its own vibe. The hustle and bustle of Chinatown and the quiet tree lined streets of a Piedmont neighborhood, all this within a ten to fifteen minute drive. Then there is the beauty of the old brick warehouses, the Victorians, the port, the water, the hills, the homes, I could go on and on. Fog City has its mavericks. I hope to bring Oakland’s beauty to the screen in a way it hasn’t been done before.

Carissa Weir is presently holding private screenings only. If you'd like to learn more about Two Weeks from Monday, visit the website of Cacao films.