It has long been said to write about what you know, and that’s exactly what author turned writer/director KELLY OXFORD has done with PINK SKIES AHEAD. But not only has she written a well-crafted, entertaining, and important screenplay, she makes her feature film directorial debut with PINK SKIES AHEAD.
Adapting PINK SKIES AHEAD from one of her own essays, “No Real Danger” from her second book, “When You Find Out the World Is Against You”, Kelly uses her struggle with anxiety disorder, undiagnosed until 19 years of age, and brings this story to life on the big screen, capturing the vibe, energy, and excitement of the 1990’s while capping it off with heartfelt and poignant emotion, thanks to first-rate production values and perfect casting and performances.
I spoke with KELLY OXFORD in this exclusive conversation along with two of the film’s stars – LEWIS PULLMAN, as the sweater-vested “normal guy” from Kelly’s past, and JESSICA BARDEN who delivers an award-worthy dynamic and emotional performance as Winona who is modeled after Kelly herself. Barden is hypnotic and unstoppable.
TAKE A LISTEN as we delve into developing the script, adapting an essay into a screenplay, visually capturing the emotions and anxiety of anxiety disorder and panic attacks, the importance of the production design, costuming, cinematography, and music, not only for the film as a whole, but for Lewis and Jessica in embodying their characters, and more.
PINK SKIES ahead stars Jessica Barden, Mary J. Blige, Devon Bostick, Marcia Gay Harden, Michael McKean, Lewis Pullman, Evan Ross Cameron, Odeya Rush, Rosa Salazar, and Henry Winkler.
A film that showcases mental health issues in a nuanced and authentic way, PINK SKIES AHEAD is part of MTV’s newly-launched Mental Health is Health initiative, Mental Health Is Health.
by debbie elias, exclusive interview May 2, 2021
