MMSW Poster

My Mom Smokes Weed
Poster art by Yen Tan.

The Weekend of 420: Probably Not the Best Time to Film in a Head Shop

It was Friday, April 18th around eleven o'clock in the morning. The morning and evening before, I'd called a local head shop smoke shop, Pipe Dream, only to get the runaround. At 11:00 AM, this Friday morning, I was determined to get a location set up for the final scheduled shot--the first shot of the actual film--for My Mom Smokes Weed. I called the Gas Pipe and immediately I was interrogated: was I part of a news crew? After briefly explaining that I was merely part of an independent film production, the manager assured me he'd get an answer from corporate, by the end of the day. The end of the day came and went, and still no answer. Clay physically went to an independent shop in Deep Ellum, The Deep End, and got permission to shoot there. The morning of our shoot, I also secured the Gas Pipe as a back up. Thanks go out to both of these fine establishments.

Here are some stills:

Clay Liford films nervous Nate Rubin as he passes the head shop. Barak Epstein on sound and me wrangling! Thanks Yen Tan for the photo.

Deep Ellum's own, The Deep End, ended up being a better location; and we got to support a dying neighborhood that frantically needs our help.

Clay and Barak filming Nate walking up to The Deep End.

Scary, tattooed man, James M. Johnston scares little-pansy-boy Nate in this clever piece of foreshadowing.
Finally, a brief photo study of Yen Tan:




See additional photos on MySpace and/or Facebook.

Also, Check out writer/director, Clay Liford's MMSW blog post!

My Mom Smokes Weed

As the title suggests, Clay Liford's semi-autobiographical short, My Mom Smokes Weed, is a film about a son and his relationship with his pot-smoking mother. Chip, a straight-laced squirt who really needs to shave, pays a much needed visit to see his septuagenarian mother, and, upon arrival, is met with a barrage of smoke, his high mother a flurry of awkwardness. Although uncomfortable Chip completely disapproves of his loopy mother's illegal dabblings, he somehow finds himself on a wild quest with her to score some Marijuana. But submissive Chip will soon find that uncomfortable situations are the least of his problems.

Chip’s septuagenarian MOM sits on the edge of her bed,
fastening a smoldering bud to a roach clip.

Cinematographer Jason Croft and key grip/gaffer Chris Simpson strap down an HVX to the hood of producer Yen Tan's car.

The HVX strapped down to the hood of Yen's car with sound guy, Barak Epstein, and camera dude, David Lowery, inside.
Unfortunately, the production saw it's own bit of misadventure when said car backed into Jason's vehicle! Fortunately, however, the incident was minor and no one--nor any camera--was hurt.


Enthusiastic Nate Rubin (and sleeping Barak) before he smashed up Yen's car. Sorry Nate! Keep smilin'!

Fans of Yen Tan will recognize this similarly blocked shot from Ciao. Mother, Sylvia Luedtke, and son, Nate Rubin, tepidly approach the ill-fated drug dealer's apartment!

The looming drug dealer towers over mother and son. Nervous Nate appropriately reacts.

Sandwiched between his mother and really creepy gang banger, Chris Gardner, Chip finds himself in yet another uncomfortable position. To make matters worse, his mother overtly flirts with Rastafarian, James McKinley, and passes glances back-and-forth with strong man, John Phelan.

A gleeful mom passes a joint to her new Rastafarian friend, as drug dealer (and Starbucks barrista) Scott Logan looks upon .

John continuously lifted weights throughout the course of this entire shot!

James and Sylvia share a moment while Chris is passed out.

Sylvia hits the TIMENATRIX bong!

Meek Nate finds himself in a threatening position with Scott on the balcony, as Tanner faithfully watches over.

Jason also finds himself in a threatening position shooting the balcony!
Check out a short video of Chris teaching Sylvia how to properly hit a bong!



As I've said before... Also, thanks much to Ellen Weaver for procuring the fantastic "water pipe" and herbal smoke-stuff (yes, it was fake. I swear!). Thanks to Chipotle for donating burritos for the cast and crew one out of the two days. And thanks to Jerry for allowing us to rampage through his apartment!

See additional photos on MySpace and/or Facebook.