five friends, ten phases
a short film
Are you playing to play or playing to win?
Five women’s attempt to share brunch over their favorite card game quickly devolves to reveal the personal battles they are individually fighting to find joy and peace in their lives.
Creative team
Liesl Eppes - Writer, Director and Producer
Meredith Kidd - Playing Michelle; Producer
Ali Sylvester - Playing Debbie
Alexandra Perry - Playing Annie
Jillian Bonner - Playing Amy
Lily Stanton - Playing Cynthia
Ian Brennan - Cinematographer
Alysa Helvig - Post-Production Sound
Special thanks to Lauren Goldberger and Jack Ressel
director’s note
The idea for “Five Friends, Ten Phases” was born (like some many things were) out of Covid.
During lockdown, I spent hours playing the game Phase Ten with my siblings. As the days wore on I noticed a pattern—that each person’s approach to the game mirrored their approach to life. Suddenly, the idea to merge the metaphorical plot styles of the plays I read in theatre history class with the format of mockumentary had me by a choke hold.
This approach to the story paid off completely upon receiving my brother’s review: “It’s like Samuel Beckett meets Parks and Rec”.
(This will perhaps always be the greatest compliment I have ever received).
This film would not exist without the trust of my cast and crew, their commitment to bringing this film to life and the support of our community as we turned this spark into a reality.
It is my hope that this film brings you joy, makes you smile, and ultimately serves as a reminder that the best moments in life are—more often than not—the ones you spend playing with your friends.
Much love and thank you for playing,
- Liesl Eppes 💙
Writer, Director
