I didn't recognize the sultry brunette crossing the street. Maybe it was because my face was buried in my notebook as I was preparing for an interview with a new filmmaker and his two lead actresses.

As she walked by I immediately realized it was Kipleigh Brown, the heroine gumshoe from director James Kerwin's Yesterday Was a Lie.  The golden locks her character sported were gone; replaced by a more subdued shade of dark auburn. Her appearance more Broadway actress than Hollywood starlet, she seemed genuinely surprised as I greeted her and informed her I would be her interviewer.

As if on cue, Mr. Kerwin's vehicle pulled up and actress/producer Chase Masterson exited alongside him. James looked as I would have imagined given the scope of his film. His thin rimmed glasses gave him the look of an astrophysicist, college professor, and director all rolled into one.

The overall feel of Yesterday is a film noir, but the scope is so much more than that. James informed me that the noir format symbolized people's inability to let go of the past. Other symbolic plot devices abound, as the viewer is taken from smoky jazz bars to the heroine's apartment (complete with a Mac desktop.)

The film delves into such complicated subject matter as quantum mechanics, physical transcendence, time travel, art history, and human emotion. All of this is intertwined as a story that slowly reveals itself as Hoyle (Kipleigh's detective) investigates a missing notebook and seeks the important information contained within. As she continues the investigation she is often left with more questions than answers. A sultry lounge singer (played perfectly by Chase Masterson) serves as her informant, but ultimately always remains aloof.

 Chase Masterson in Yesterday was a Lie

The onscreen chemistry between the two is immediately evident. Kipleigh credits the great rapport between the characters to months of rehearsals that James held before principal photography.

Yesterday began as Kerwin's brainchild, but he credits near perfect timing and casting for the eventual creation of the film. As can be expected in a visually captivating film, post-production posed a great challenge technically and financially. Kerwin used Apple's FinalCut Pro to edit the film, but also credits Comen VFX, Panavision, AJA Video Systems, Keep Me Posted (Fotokem), and Juniper Post for helping him create his vision.

The film even has cameos from radio announcer Robert Siegel and Star Wars' Peter Mayhew. Chase credits her ability to sign these two talents to "brazen confidence" and new producer's naivety.

The principal photography took just 26 days with 50 locations! James fondly recalled on the last day of shooting a gentleman parked his vehicle directly in the shot and walked away. In turn, all of the men on set literally picked up the vehicle and moved it!

Despite Kerwin's joking description of the shooting as "hellacious" and "terrible," the film's reception has been great. James acknowledges that people either love or hate the film, as is the case anytime you make a film with an experimental format or message. The critics are much easier on the film than the director, as it has won five awards at only 10 festivals (including the Gold Medal at the Park City Festival). Yesterday Was a Lie is a great example of DIY filmmaking. Director James Kerwin had a vision for a film, and did not let anything stand in his way. Hopefully we will see Yesterday in theatres soon!

Click here to visit Yesterday was a Lie at the From Here to Awesome festival.

James Kerwin - Is currently focusing on promoting Yesterday Was a Lie, but he is also working on two screenplays. He is also a theater director known for his work with Shakespeare.

Chase Masterson - This talented actress/producer is known for many roles including a series regular on Star Trek: DS9. She is currently the host on a new show called Ask, and is working on acquiring the rights to produce a film version of The Camel Book Mobile. She has several other TV projects in the works.

Kipleigh Brown - Is also a very talented comedienne and can be seen at Io (former Improv Olympics) on Hollywood Blvd. Sunday nights at 10 in the show "Big News."

Share It!