Thank You a Lot is a 2014 American drama film directed by Matt Muir. Set in Austin, Texas, the film stars Blake DeLong as a struggling music manager who is forced to sign his estranged father, country music singer James Hand (played by the eponymous country musician).
| Thank You a Lot | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Matt Muir |
| Written by | Matt Muir |
| Produced by | Chris Ohlson |
| Starring | Blake DeLong, James Hand, Robyn Rikoon |
| Cinematography | Harrison Witt |
| Edited by | Nevie Owens |
| Music by | Hundred Visions, James Hand, Adam Blau |
Production companies | Clearing a Comma, LLC |
| Distributed by | Gravitas Ventures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 85 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The film premiered at the 2014 South by Southwest Film Festival as part of the Narrative Spotlight Section.[1]
Plot
editJack Hand (Blake DeLong) is a hustling music manager of a hip-hop artist and an indie rock band. Jack’s estranged musician father, James Hand, is a respected but reclusive songwriter living and working in Austin. Jack is pressured by his management company to sign his musician father to a deal or lose his job there.
Cast
edit- Blake DeLong as Jack Hand
- James Hand as James Hand
- Robyn Rikoon as Allison
- Sonny Carl Davis as Frank
- Jeffrey Da'Shade Johnson as Desmond D
- Kaci Beeler as Sissy
- Indigo Rael as Steph
Background and production
editMuir began writing the script for actor and long-time friend Blake DeLong.[2] After seeing James Hand perform in Austin, Muir said he decided to base a character on him:
I walked into a usual haunt on a Tuesday night and saw the most incredible live show of my life. There was a guy who looked like Hank Williams and sang like Lefty Frizzell, but was just… different. He finished his set, said “Thank you a lot,” and walked out. Then he was on NPR. Terri Gross asked him why he finally made a record at age 53. He said: “Ma’am, some people pray for rain… and some people dig a well.” I knew then, that James Hand had to be in my film.[3]
With the script completed, Muir reached out to Hand, who agreed to play the fictionalized version of himself.[4]
Principal photography took place over eighteen days in August, 2012, after a successful Kickstarter campaign.[5] Most of the film was shot in and around Austin, Texas, and features appearances by various locals, including David Wingo, Andy Langer, Sam Wainwright Douglas, and Zell Miller III.[6] All musical performances were captured live.[7]
Release and reception
editThe film has screened at South by Southwest Film Festival, Dallas International Film Festival and others, receiving mostly positive reviews. Austin Film Society-published site, Slackerwood, praised writer/director Muir and noted that DeLong and Hand had a chemistry that was "hilariously realistic".[8] D Magazine and other outlets commended Hand on his performance despite a lack of acting experience.[9][10] Truth On Cinema praised first-time director Muir and the "immersive on screen experience" he delivered.[11]
For his work on this and other films, producer Chris Ohlson received the Independent Spirit Piaget Producers Award.[12][13]
References
edit- ^ "SXSW Schedule: Thank You A Lot". SXSW. 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ Lakich, Ryan (7 March 2014). "Thank You A Lot makes a star out of an unlikely Austin music legend". CultureMap Austin. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ "Project of the Day: A Music Agent Signs His Father in Thank You A Lot". IndieWire. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ Freeman, Doug (7 March 2014). "Shadow On The Ground". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ Muir, Matt; Ohlson, Chris; DeLong, Blake. "Thank You A Lot: a movie starring James Hand". Kickstarter. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ Leifeste, Link (7 March 2014). "Thank You A Lot | SXSW Review". Smells Like Screen Spirit. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ Rice, Laura (14 March 2014). "Spotlight: A Father, A Son and A Lot of Live Music in Thank You A Lot". NPR.
- ^ Cerda, Debbie (25 March 2014). "SXSW 2014: Connecting With Local and Indie Music Through Film". Austin Film Society.
- ^ Jorgenson, Todd (3 April 2014). "Your Guide to the 2014 Dallas International Film Festival". Front Row. D Magazine. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ Dennis, Billy (23 April 2014). "There's Plenty To Appreciate in Thank You a Lot". Eastfield News. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ Jones, Steven (11 April 2014). "DIFF 2014: 'Thank You A Lot' Has A Lot to Offer". Truth On Cinema. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ "30th Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominations announced". Film Independent. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ Donnelly, Matt (10 January 2015). "Film Independent Spirit Awards Gives Out $75k in Filmmaker Grants". The Wrap. TheWrap. Retrieved 11 September 2018.