Unrequited
20 minute short written and directed by
Judy Garland Piersol

Here I am, the wheeler, dealer, suburban real estate agent, frustrated maritally, sexually, every "ly," I wouldn't be above using my non-real estate talents to make a sale. And this guy wouldn't be beyond outright lying to encourage me to do so. He's not looking for a house, just feigning it.

So starts "Unrequited," a "La Ronde" for the Northern Californian mindset. This was a student project by Judy, then enrolled at the San Francisco Academy of Art College. She certainly put her all into this, with as much crew and equipment as she could muster. And the shoot took several days to complete.
Crew check out set up of this shot: Here, I get yet another call from that creepy man who says he wants to look at yet another house, but all I really want to do is watch my gardener hose the lawn (directly behind me played by Adam Morrison). Well, maybe not just watch. Here's the "La Ronde" aspect of it: the creep is the gardener's father. The gardener is in love with his parent's maid, and her little daughter has a crush on her teacher who happens to be the creep. Ergo, unrequited. Nobody gets any kind of romantic fulfillment. Well, actually, the gardener does get the maid. And I suppose they live happily ever after. They are the innocents. The teacher-creep also gives up his wayward ways and no longer has to feign being a good husband. A second chance at a good life. Mine is the truly tragic aspect of the story. So sad, so sad.

Have I no shame?
Director Judy Piersol in background
with white t-shirt.

I quickly change out of my low cut sweater into a low cut coat dress to meet the potential buyer. By the way, this was my first cleavage role. I'm really quite proud.

Then I get into my car and go to town, bidding a fond farewell to my sweaty, shiny gardener. I consider driving in a movie a stunt.
My client finally admits to me over martinis that he's really a school teacher who couldn't possibly afford a Victorian in San Francisco, being only slighter cheaper than the Trianon in Versailles. He only wanted to pursue me for fun and frolic in his free time between teaching school and being a "good husband" and father. Another first for me (in film) -- I throw my drink in his face and walk out. I insisted we do a few takes of this shot just so I'd get it right. I really had a great time on this shoot. So many firsts. But my poor character is extremely upset: no sale, no gardener, and a husband with whom she is in a perpetual sarcastic argument. So, she just goes home and dances, drinks and tries to forget her miserable existence. That's my character's husband in the white shirt.

Here's Judy Garland Piersol, yes, named after Judy herself. During shooting, Judy tried to keep secret her disability, a nervous disorder that eventually caused her to be wheelchair bound. Recently, Judy decided to "come out" with her medical problems. She combined this announcement with her filmmaking aspirations, and shot "Indie," a truly biographical film in which a woman with a debilitating disease seeks help in making her feature film before she is no longer physically able to. Please click "Indie," on the resume page.

Judy, may there be a cure, may you make many more films, may you always be happy and fulfilled. And thanks so much for two opportunities to work with you. I look forward to the next.

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