“Big George” explores Resilience and the Struggles of Show Business

In a world grappling with the challenges brought on by the pandemic, a heartfelt story emerged with “Big George,” a film that dives into the struggles faced by working actors during trying times. The movie follows the journey of a middle-aged actor named Hank, portrayed by Jake Hart, who finds himself at a crossroads when his pandemic weight gain jeopardizes his gig as a George Clooney impersonator.

Directed, written, and produced by Jamie Effros, “Big George” explores the often-overlooked middle ground of show business, where artists grapple with the constant tug-of-war between their passions and the realities of everyday life. Effros, who organized a successful happy hour for actors in October 2022, drew inspiration from the profound impact of fostering a sense of community in the entertainment industry.

“The pandemic hit working actors hard” said Effros. “Aside from the hardships of work stoppages, the whole ecosystem of auditions changed, especially for those of us who did commercial and voiceover work to support ourselves. With all of those auditions happening from home, the whole social element of the business disappeared. We lost our coworkers, confidants, and potential collaborators. We lost the day-to-day human element of what we do, and it was crushing. So in October of 2022, I put together a happy hour for actors, casting directors, agents, and other folks in the business in NYC so we could all re-connect. It was a wild success and has continued monthly ever since. And as proof-positive of the importance of that community, the idea for Big George came directly out of that first gathering.”

The film centers around the character Hank as he tries to justify his relentless pursuit of his dream to his nine-year-old daughter, Evie, played by Beatrix Hart. This unique father-daughter dynamic adds a genuine and heartwarming layer to the storyline.

For Effros, the highlight of the production was the opportunity to collaborate with exceptionally talented friends and build new connections in the process. Working closely with friends like Jake Hart and his daughter Beatrix, as well as seasoned collaborator Brady Kirchberg and Director of Photography Gabe Harden, Effros found joy in the seamless working relationships that developed on set.

“I wrote the film for my friend Jake Hart and his daughter, Beatrix- and being able to engage and play within that real father-daughter dynamic was wonderful. It was the second time I’ve worked with my friend and producer, Brady Kirchberg, whom I’ve known since high school, and we really codified a seamless working relationship on this set. And it was my first time working with Director of Photography, Gabe Harden, just a brilliant, kind, and 100% present collaborator. The crew gelled so well and so quickly, we all instantly jumped into another project together.”

However, no film production is without its challenges, and “Big George” faced a particularly intense moment on the final day of shooting. Racing against time and battling a nosy neighbor’s interference, the crew encountered unexpected obstacles. Beatrix Hart, caught up in the chaos, suffered an injury during the shoot, briefly halting production. 

“As we were trying to negotiate, nine-year-old Beatrix, spooked by the cops, slammed her hand in the door of the picture-car and a tiny pandemonium ensued. Thankfully nothing was broken but she was hurt pretty bad, and I thought our day was over. But she rallied, got back in there thirty minutes later and we got the last few shots of the scene.”

Reflecting on the experience, Jamie Effros suggests that thicker mittens for Beatrix might have been a wise choice in hindsight. 

When asked about advice for those aspiring to enter the production space, Effros emphasizes the importance of creating, learning from failures, and understanding the collaborative nature of filmmaking. He particularly highlights the significance of investing in sound quality, acknowledging that our eyes may forgive, but our ears do not.

For those interested in the team’s future projects, Jamie Effros invites everyone to follow @ThePhotographerFilm on Instagram for updates on their next venture, a psychological thriller set in the 90s in the woods of coastal Maine.

“Big George” takes the main stage during the Utah International Film Festival February 12-17, audiences can check out the film’s screening at Maven Cinemas in American Fork, UT.