You`re Not That Crazy

YOU’RE NOT THAT CRAZY
CAST AND CREW
DIRECTOR: Jason Sokoloff
WRITERS: Ryan E. Hoffman & Nick Ruggia
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Benjamin Bode
EDITOR: Steve W. Thompson
SOUND DESIGN: Josh Broome
ART DEPARTMENT: Pete Dutro
HAIR AND MAKEUP: Ashley Thomas
EDDIE: Ryan E. Hoffman
JAMES: Nick Ruggia
ANNIE: Linnea Sage
JESSICA: Kaelin Birkenhead
ORDERLY: Jonathan Wexler
GRIGGS: Eugene Michael Santiago
and
Greer Barnes as CHARLIE
Synopsis: A group of new patients in a psych ward pick apart each others' mental disorders, each claiming that the rest aren't really crazy through a series of twisted impersonations. Hilar-­
ity ensues when they refuse to accept the validity of their peers’ illnesses.
Writers’ Statement
We came up with the idea for this film the way we come up with most things,
hurling insults at each other while pitching comedy sketches. The opening
conversation in the film between James and Eddie is based on an actual
conversation between the “REAL” Nick and Ryan in which we debated the validity
of our respective psychological conditions, Bipolar Disorder and Depression. As we
both proceeded to ridicule each others symptoms, we observed that many people
suffering from mental disorders have a tendency to minimize any sickness that is not
their own. We found it funny that even the "mentally ill" can't resist establishing
hierarchies. Simply put, the film turns a serious conversation on the nature of mental
illness into a game of, “You’re not as crazy as me.” We found this idea worth
heightening, and thus the characters of Annie (the anorexic), Charlie (the alcoholic),
Jessica (attention deficit disorder), and Griggs (the schizophrenic) were born. We felt
that a brutally honest look at our perceptions of mental illness could be done in a
hilarious, yet insightful way.
The cast features a group of immensely talented up and coming young actors,
as well as the veteran stand-up comic and actor, Greer Barnes, who has performed in
two Comedy Central specials and was a cast member of the most popular sketch
show in the history of cable television, Chapelle’s Show. The director, Jason Sokoloff,
has helmed numerous film projects that have premiered at over seventy-five film
festivals including Montreal’s Just For Laughs. We are deeply humbled by the
enthusiasm and support we have received from performers of this caliber. We are
equally thrilled to have our World Premiere at the Friar’s Club, the Mecca of
roasting and one-downsmanship, which is only appropriate. We hope you enjoy the
film.
Ryan E. Hoffman & Nick Ruggia
Temple Horses
Director’s Statement
Whether it’s comedy or drama, I strongly believe that story is the
foundation of every project. I wanted to direct Temple Horses because I felt it
was a great comedic short that's speaks of human truths and personal character
studies in today’s society. As I worked to capture the great comedic performances
in You’re Not That Crazy, I was inspired by the trusting kinship of Ryan and
Nick. I believed in their comedy, and their writing shared a comedic voice and
visual storytelling that I inspire to create. Having the chance to work with great
comedic actors was also rewarding – we were able to improv within the script and
collaboratively discover the funny. I started my career as a stand-up comic. Now as
a filmmaker, I look for ways to bring original comedy to the screen. Temple
Horses is fresh and witty, and I'm excited to be a part of this project.
Jason Sokoloff
Temple Horses Highlights
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Formed by Ryan E. Hoffman and Nick Ruggia. January, 2011.
Over 50,000 total video views on various web mediums.
Featured on front page of popular websites CMDY, Look Laugh, CMDY
“The Game of Pro-Life” featured on FunnyorDie.com front page. April
2012
Filmed pilot, “Watch This Drunk” July 2012
Added Post-Production team. December 2012
Marched with Rosario Dawson against Keystone Pipeline 2013
Reviewed by Huffington Post Comedy for “Around the Horn: Gun
Control,” February, 2013
Accepted into Friar’s Club Comedy Film Festival. March 2013
BIOS
Ryan E. Hoffman (Writer, Producer, Eddie) is a New York City native
writer, actor, and filmmaker. He has appeared on HBO, NBC, ESPN, and in various
independent films as a recurring guest star and
character actor, as well as a recurring guest on
“Countdown with Keith Olbermann.” His first film,
Venice Love Story, was a lauded selection at LA
Comedy Shorts and was distributed in Urban
Outfitters around the country as part of their Potty
Mouth Film Festival in a Box. Ryan is a graduate of
NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Nick Ruggia (Writer, Producer, James) is a
comedian, filmmaker, actor and improviser based in
Hoboken, New Jersey. He started doing standup at 18, the
same year he began studying journalism at The University of
Maryland. After graduation, Nick interned at The Onion and
enrolled in classes at The Upright Citizens’ Brigade Theater
and began shooting short films and sketches with many of
New York’s up-and-coming comedians. He has appeared on
TruTV, Bravo, The Food Network, The Bio Channel,
WebTV’s Shovio network and radio stations across the
country. He has also written satire for Canada’s The Smew
and contributed jokes to MTV2's Hip-Hop Squares.
Jason Sokoloff (Director) is an award-winning filmmaker
with an MFA in Film from NYU. Prior to filmmaking Jason
was a street artist, later becoming a successful art director and
seasoned veteran of NYC's infamously tough stand-up comedy
circuit. He received a BFA in Design and had a successful
career as an Art Director in advertising and marketing. For
over seven years, Jason's work focused on graphic design,
photography, and art direction for the largest media companies
in the country. His work was shown in countless magazines,
websites, and outdoor media. Jason was also the Producer and
Co-Director for the NY Indie comedy feature "Love Magical"
(2011-2012) starring Justin Foran, Sophia Urista, Keith Sweat,
Craig Mums Grant, Flaco Navaja, John Solo, D.C. Benny, Laine Rettmer, and Ilana
Becker. As a strong proponent of independent filmmaking and comedy, Jason is
constantly working on ways to create new films. Whether it's comedy or drama, Jason
works to produce films that are entertaining, thought provoking, exciting, and
memorable.
Greer Barnes (Charlie) was born in the Bronx, New
York City. Raised by his mother and Jewish stepfather,
Greer received his Bar Mitzvah at age thirteen. Athletics
led Greer to baseball, in which he excelled. Having been
scouted by the San Francisco Giants, he seemed to be on
his way until he suffered a career-ending injury at age 18.
Following his second dream of stand-up comedy, Greer was
quickly noticed and began headlining at clubs and colleges
across the country. Greer has done commercial work for
both the NBA and the NFL. His television credits include
"In Living Color," "Last Call with Carson Daly," Comedy
Central's "Premium Blend," "The Late Show with David
Letterman" and "Chappelle's Show." Greer was able to
combine his love for baseball and acting when he appeared with Kevin Costner in the
film "For the Love of the Game." His first "Comedy Central Presents" half-hour
special premiered in 2009.
Steve W. Thompson (Editor) currently works in
television post-production at Channel 13 WNET (PBS)
as an editor. While studying film and media at Hunter
College, under documentary filmmaker and mentor
Tami Gold, he fully realized his passion for telling a
story through a visual medium. He has edited long
format, news, and promotional content for both air and
web. In his free time, he edits a variety of short films
and plays in an independent rock band; Earth Science.
He’s a self proclaimed cinephile; and an avid cat lover.
Benjamin Bode (DP) is a DP, a screenwriter, a VFX
artist, and a director. Although he has a great passion for
these things, one could make a strong argument that he
does this work because he has no other skills. In another
reality he would be the Michael Jordan of professional
ultimate frisbee. In both that fake reality and this reality
girls are unimpressed by him. He is in pre-production on
his first feature film called The Crystal.
Additional Cast Bios
Linnea Sage (Annie) has been working with Nick and Ryan for years and is so
proud of their recent achievements and inevitable future success! She works in New
York as an actor and professional voiceover artist. She is extremely passionate about
comedy and hopes to eventually remake all of her favorite sitcoms and play every
character in them. Visit LinneaSage.com for her resume, reel, and voiceover demos!
Jonathan Reed Wexler (Orderly) was born upside down in New York City.
From a very young age his honesty was met with disbelief. So he would occasionally
tell lies he knew no one would believe as an inside joke with himself. Then he
became an actor whose job is to tell lies with the semblance of truth and now the joke
is on him.
Eugene Michael Santiago (Griggs) is a New York based actor, theater artist,
and poet. As a theater artist some of the people he has worked with include Urban
Bushwomen, Rosemary Quinn, Jan Cohen-Cruz, and Papo Colo. He has made
theater outside of the US in Ecuador, and Ghana.
Kaelin Don't-Use-My-Middle-Name Birkenhead (Jessica) can strongly
relate to 4 out of 5 Billy Joel songs. A hipster before it came back in style as quickly
as it went back out, she is a vegan who given the opportunity to ride a manatee would
say, "The hell with it!"