Filming “Flick” was the beginning to the end of a project that has been brewing for twenty years in two generations of creative minds.
The concept itself was first spoken of in 1988, between Roy Fisher, Kelix Williams and G Thomas Fergerson. All three artists spanning time and distance with their own life and projects, Flick was often thought of, but never brought to the page or screen.
Lauren Hickman, just a youth when she met her artistic mentor Roy Fisher, was first introduced to “Flick” and the lighter at age seventeen. She was still in high school, and in love with the idea of a lighter being the mode of transport through a story. She began writing under artistic supervision of Roy Fisher.
While consumed with college, life and travel, Lauren set out to complete the screenplay. Over the span of six years she played with characters, settings and storylines. What had originally set out to be a twenty minute art film turned into a transformative and healing experience for both the characters, the writer, and all those involved with the project.
Because she always thought that making a film was too big a project to undertake, she set herself to living her life and going with the flow-trusting that if it were meant to be, it would be.
And it was.
In May of 2008, unknowingly, she was serving beverages to her mentor’s companions from so long ago-G. Thomas and Kelix, in Des Moines, Iowa. Lauren had set herself to making the project. She believed in herself and the heart behind the art form. She's decided that if that meant moving to New York-leaving her hometown and chasing her dream-she’d do it.
She
found out she didn’t have to.
Flick was here, and it was right in front of her.
Shortly after that meeting with G Thomas and Kelix, the story transformed from a twenty six page script, exploding before her eyes. What had been scribbled on napkins and in journal sketches was growing....
That same month, Nicole Schafer re-entered Lauren’s life in a way that was more than chance, but intuitive fate. After their sliding knowledge of each other as teenagers, both had matured to a point of confidence in their lives and their modes of career. Lauren, a writer, and Nicole, an actress committed to the creation of the film. And "someday" became "today." The two set to work, re working characters, fine tuning the story and planning the production.
Lauren’s
long time friend, Grant Monohon, had moved to New York shortly
after he and Lauren graduated high school. Having been supportive through Lauren’s entire
experience with the story’s growth, he agreed to assist in the
character studies of the script and to return to Des Moines for the
shoot. He accepted the film's lead role.
The time had come. Flick was created.
"FLiCK": an average cigarette lighter bears a unique ability to illuminate the thoughts and history of the character who holds it. One night of reunions and chance encounters will forever change all involved.
Why a lighter?
And a single spark can start a fire that warms, comforts, or destroys.....
What can you learn about a person in a single exchange, a night, or a moment? What secrets will be brought to light? What 'facts' will turn to fiction?