BECOMING KELLY
Synopsis
After a bad break-up, a vanilla young woman spirals into a Machine Gun Kelly obsession, leading her on the path to a life-changing rap career.
Credits
Valery Lessard – Writer, Director, & Producer
Lisa Baron – Writer, Director, & Producer
Bryan Fitzgerald – Director Producer
Sow the Seeds Productions – Producer
Valery Lessard – “Kelly”
Lisa Baron – “Lyla”
Malin Barr – “Grace”
Mimo Magri – “Savannah”
Anthony Hull – “Noah”
Becky Boggs – “Brigitte”
Zack Gafin – “Devin”
Bryan Fitzgerald – “Dream Rapper / Boss”
Director Statement
From creator, Valery Lessard:
This project comes from years of being put in “boxes.”
The girl I grew up as.
The girl I was in high school.
The girl I became in my 20s.
We get lost in there.
There’s many boxes. And we all have them. Whether we choose to fit into them or not, that’s our own decision. But I felt like no matter what I was doing; I was shoved back inside. “Do this, be that; Don’t be that, don’t do this.” My creativity was stifled. I always felt judged. And I accepted that as my reality until I had enough.
Then one day, Machine Gun Kelly appeared. Like light shining through a crack in the box.
MGK was the very archetype of what I needed in my life. His influence, energy, tattoos, and “I don’t give a f*ck” attitude. He’s the opposite of who I am but still resonates 100% with me. Everyone has their own idea of him, and still, he constantly breaks free from what people think he is.
He created the “Lace-up” movement of hope. He calls his fans the EST Family, which stands for ‘Everyone Stands Together.’
“Becoming Kelly” is very much in line with my own personal experience of breaking out the box and finding out who I am. The concept is a metaphor for my own journey.
My message for the audience is to be the person you want to be. Do not wait for anyone to permit you. To be the person you wish you had as a role model when you were younger.
Hopefully, Kelly/Montrelle can be a source of inspiration for people, young and old, to be unapologetically proud of who they are.
Director Biography
“Becoming Kelly” was a co-directorial collaboration.
Valery Lessard is a director, writer, actress, and creator of “Becoming Kelly.” She has appeared in numerous independent U.S. and Canadian films and television shows, including LET’S NOT PANIC (short film, Tribeca ’15, USA), THE BLACKLIST (NBC), and PUSH (feature film, USA). She was born in Montreal, Québec, and lives in New York City. www.valerylessard.com
Lisa Baron is a writer, director, actress, and owner of Baroness Films, a production company based in Central New York. Her first short film, “Hedda Needs Help,” was licensed to DirecTV’s ShortsTV in 2018. Lisa is currently in post-production for three short films that she co-wrote (Donut Chase, It’s Elizabeth, Nicest Guy in Hell) and editor on a feature-length media project with Christopher Carter Sanderson of the former, NYC Guerrilla Rep Theatre.
Bryan Fitzgerald is a producer, director, writer, actor, and founder of Sow the Seeds Productions. www.bryanpmfitzgerald.com
