Mo McRae Directs Rainy Days by Competition Winner James Gutierrez
Updated: Nov 29, 2022
High-End Production Included Top Gun: Maverick Camera, Rain Set, KITS Youth Extras
In May 2021, Kids In The Spotlight (KITS) announced the winner of the second annual KITS National Short Screenplay Competition: Rainy Days by James Gutierrez, to be produced in 2022.
Rainy Days, the first KITS film to feature a rain set, was directed by Mo McRae and produced by Lex Scott Davis and Matt Cassaro earlier this month.
The film tells the story of Percy’Q, who is abandoned as a baby and traverses through life attempting to overcome the traumas of his past.
Gutierrez’s script was awarded following a free 5-week Virtual Screenwriting Course open to transitional age youth nationally. Media buzz for Gutierrez’s project includes this interview with the International Screenwriters’ Association.
Gutierrez said, "I want to tell stories that have that same timeless, classic feel to it where people still resonate with it years onward - like Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas."
KITS industry partner Panavision made a generous contribution to the film through camera equipment—including a camera that was used to film the 2022 box office smash hit Top Gun: Maverick. MBS Equipment Company also gave in-kind support in contributing a key grip/lighting package. Special thanks to new partners, Make-up Designory (MUD), for providing make-up artists on set both days.
Teaching Artist Jaszmin Kuhner, who trains KITS youth in editing, was cast in a small acting role in the film. Ty Hale, who plays 14-year-old Percy’Q, comes with work in Beyonce's groundbreaking music film Lemonade.
Script-to-Screen participants from our current Legacy Arts Connection cohort visited the set and participated as extras in the production.
Prepare to witness stunning cinematography by John Rosario when Rainy Days premieres at the KITS Film Awards on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at Regal LA Live. Save the date!