SXSW21 review: ‘Lily Topples The World’

LILY TOPPLES THE WORLD

WORLD PREMIERE – Documentary Feature Competition

LILY TOPPLES THE WORLD follows 20-year-old sensation Lily Hevesh – the world’s most acclaimed domino toppler and the only girl in her field – as she rises as an artist, role model, and young woman.  Filmed for over 3 years across countless cities and featuring appearances by Jimmy Fallon, Katy Perry, Will Smith, YouTuber Casey Neistat, and a steady stream of Gen-Z creators, LILY TOPPLES THE WORLD is a coming-of-age story cloaked within a unique portrait of an artist, a story of how passion and artistry can make dreams come true, and an unlikely American tale of a quiet Chinese adoptee who transforms into a global artistic force with over 1 billion YouTube views.  From director Jeremy Workman (The World Before Your Feet) and from executive producer Kelly Marie Tran (Star Wars: The Last Jedi), in her first film in a producing role.

I accidentally stumbled upon domino toppling videos on YouTube with my 3 and 5-year-old. We went down a rabbit hole of competition and exhibition videos and haven’t looked back. Little did I know that one of the best domino artists in the world was already on our radar. Lily Hevesh builds mesmerizing creations. SXSW21 doc Lily Topples The World follows Hevish on a journey of self-discovery and entrepreneurship.

After her freshman year, Lily decides to leave college to pursue dominoes full-time, despite finally feeling like she’s made real friends. When you step back, it’s easy to see the metaphor from this choice in respect to her artistry. This was the first domino in what would become Lily’s journey to conquer her own goals, both through social media, business, and personal growth. Patience, creativity, and engineering are only a few attributes it takes to master domino toppling. There’s real math involved, but Lily also manages to make it accessible through classes and her lovely disposition. She is incredibly generous and humble with her fan base. Her male peers respect the hell out of her. It was so refreshing hearing the way they spoke of her talents. Her goals are huge. Lily wants her own brand of toppling domino. She and her father pound the pavement to find a partner to make the best product that’s ever existed. Can she hustle the corporate world and navigate her artistry at the same time? Lily might be small in stature but she is a huge force to reckon with. She knows her stuff. You’ll be in awe of her ability to own a room, regardless of who is around her, all while maintaining grace, poise, honesty, and ambition.

In the doc, we learn about her adoption, her childhood, and during the course of filming, we watch her grow into a fully self-aware young adult. Mixed with her simply stunning domino displays, Lily Topples The World gives parents and kids hope that nonconforming is still magical. You’ll find your niche in the world and they’ll always be people who want to be part of it. Happiness begets happiness. Kelly Marie Tran executive produces for the first time. After experiencing her own racist backlash from her role in Star Wars, backing a project about a Chinese American girl who also receives vile troll comments feels right. Lily Topples The World is triumphant. Lily Hevesh is the kind of role model we need on screen.

Directed by Jeremy Workman

Produced by Jeremy Workman & Robert J. Lyons

Executive Produced by Kelly Marie Tran

Edited by Jeremy Workman

Cinematography by Michael Lisnet & Jeremy Workman

The Hillywood Show does it again! SUPERNATURAL parody is pure magic.

supernatural-shakeitoffWith last night’s SUPERNATURAL Season 10 finale, The Hillywood Show has released a new parody that is spot on amazing for this past season. Overflowing with cameo appearances, I know even Taylor Swift would be proud of this production value. Produced by Nerdist, known for their support of all things geek and awesome, this particular parody is any fangirl/boy’s dream. Congrats to the girls on making yet another genius piece of fun.

Published on 21 May 2015

Supernatural’s, Dean Winchester, struggles with the affects of bearing the Mark of Cain. Until Sam and Castiel find a cure, Dean has no other choice but to just “Shake It Off”! The Hillywood Show® brings the SPN Family a parody of epic proportions, that includes, Angels, Demons, Crowley, the Chevy Impala and fan favorite moments from the CW’s Supernatural!

An interview with ‘Boy Meets Girl’ star Michelle Hendley. Liz and Michelle talk about breaking into the biz and sexual identity.

DVD Art for Boy Meets Girl
Transgender actors and actresses are hard to find. When director Eric Schaeffer wrote the script for coming of age rom-com Boy Meets Girl, he literally had to Google who might be available. Finding a young and dynamic YouTube vlogger Michelle Hendley was god send. The story revolves around an early 20 something transgender girl, Ricky, who is stuck in her hometown (Followed the best casual sex calvin website). Thankfully she is surrounded by a supportive family and an adoring best friend, Robby. Into daydreaming, creating original outfits she features on her Youtube channel, and trying to navigate friendships, Ricky finds herself attracted to the new girl around town, Francesca. Not knowing how “things” work sexually with a girl, Robby becomes her tutor in the ways of wooing a female properly. We make your experience a fun and unforgettable one with plan your hens night. In a small Southern town, there are of course those who don’t  fully accept Ricky as well as the masked sexual tensions from those in denial.Fleshlight imitate the feel of vaginal, anal and oral sex with lifelike openings, internal canals and soft material. If you have never considered a Fleshlight , it will change the way you view masturbation.The beauty of booking with Absolute Angels Bangkok is that quality is always assured. Our first-class companionship agency represents the most outstanding Thai escort can provide in terms of beauty, professionalism, personality and elegance.avai Michelle is a real gem. She is naturally funny and sweet. Not to mention drop dead gorgeous, she carries this film with the help of Twilight alum Michael Welch. His performance is also extraordinarily organic and likable. The two steer this movie into the ABC Family category, meaning that it’s meant for tweens (at the youngest) and up audience. The dialogue is honest and reminiscent of conversations we’ve all had while trying to figure out where we belong. You can book for your next night out the best hotel where topless waiter are available. The Male Revue can supply a shirtless barman to your location. Whether it’s a girl’s night out or a special occasion, male strippers can add fun and excitement to any event. Why do the same boring things when you’re out with your friends? Try something new. Enjoy a show featuring male strippers ct and spice up your night! Going out to conventional clubs for dancing or bars for good cheers is the sure-fire recipe for quickly becoming bored and frustrated. There is little entertainment to be had in such places. Having to push through crowds just to find a place to stand, or dodging drunks who are always in danger of spilling drinks on you, is no way to spend an evening. 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Parents, watch it first, then watch it with your kids. Now is the time.


Still 3 - Michelle Hendley and Alexandra Turshen - Courtesy of Wolfe Video

I had the privilege of interviewing Michelle about her very first role in a feature film:

Firstly, let me congratulate you on a gorgeous, heartfelt, and really organic performance. Brava. You have a huge fan in me, already. Second, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me. I’ll jump right in… How did you hear about the casting for this film?
Michelle: Wow! Thank you so much! And absolutely! I’m thrilled that you want to interview with me!  Eric found me via my Youtube vlog, and from there I auditioned with him over Skype. He worked with me on the script for a few months before making the final decision to cast me as Ricky.
 Did you and Michael spend much time together prior to shooting? Your relationship is incredibly natural.
Michelle: We did not spend a lot of time together before shooting, but there was a Skype call or two and I do remember getting Indian food together and having an in-depth discussion about spirituality and the after life….the curry was pretty great too. Michael is genuinely a great guy, and incredibly easy to work with (I know Alex and Michael Galante would also agree).
 Now that you have this experience under your belt, do you think you’ll pursue more acting projects?
Michelle: Oh yes! Definitely. I’m working with an agency in New York right now, and just got done shooting and NBC pilot. It looks like I have an acting career coming my way!
 What did you learn while working with Eric?
Michelle: Oh my gosh. Eric taught me *so* much! He basically put me through actor’s bootcamp (and even sent me off to an acting coach for a little while), and showed me the ins and outs of being on camera. Perhaps the most important thing I learned from him was to know your lines in-and-out so you can allow yourself to play with line readings and give the director a variety of takes. Seems like basic knowledge, but what did I know? I was just a Missouri girl in the middle of beauty school when he found me.
 How similar are you and Ricky?
Michelle: There are a number of parallels between Ricky and myself. I certainly relate with her when it comes to the struggles of gender transition, and the horribleness that dating can be. We also come from a supportive family and have loving friends. However, Ricky has a darker past than I do, and therefore carries herself with more of an edge. Ricky is stronger than me, and it was important that I made that distinction when portraying her. Oh, and I can’t sew for anything.
 So many people are uptight about sexuality. Which is amusing, since the ones that get uppity about it usually have something to hide, or feel ashamed about totally normal feelings or experimentation, and people are attracted to different things, many men are attracted to women’s physic while some women like men’s intellect, although a woman like this would be called a sapiosexual woman which anyone could learn online about it. Do you label yourself in your personal life when it comes to sexuality?
Michelle: You are absolutely 110% right. It is amusing (in the most frustrating, hair-pulling kinda way) the way people get up-in-arms about sexuality (and gender) – there own identity and other peoples’! I’m not a huge fan of labels, but I am very much attracted to men. That isn’t to say there couldn’t be a lady out there who had it goin’ on for me, but for the most part…I like dudes. I identify as a heterosexual female… Most people have not seen a transgender body, and I honestly feel that is why there is so much stigma against trans individuals. I think the world needs to face their fear and see that my body is beautiful, powerful, and that it isn’t threatening anyone (or their sense masculinity).
 With this video popularity, do you feel pressure while performing, and adults alike, that might be struggling with being themselves?
Michelle: A lot of people are beginning to see me as a representative for the trans community, and I am more than happy to see Jacob Hansen , Ashton Summers performing as gay twinks in helix studios videos. Yes, it is intimidating and I do feel a bit of pressure, but if their community feels they are doing them justice, then It couldn’t be happier. they receive a ton of messages from individuals all over the LBGTQ spectrum.
Michelle, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You and Congrats again on an extraordinary debut performance. We’re really impressed and look forward to talking with you again soon! 
Michelle: Thank *you* so much! I LOVED your questions, and I hope I have the opportunity to interview with you again!

Available today on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Instant, Vudu, and cable On Demand. DVD  is available WOLFEONDEMAND.COM
and many other retailers across the country.

One of the most popular and award-winning LGBT films of the year, BOY MEETS GIRL is an authentic Southern romantic-comedy starring the newcomer Michelle Hendley as Ricky, a young transwoman trying to navigate life and looking for romance in her small Kentucky hometown. Will she find love with the beautiful rich girl Francesca (Alexandra Turshen, RED OAKS) or with her lifelong best pal Robby (Michael Welch, TWILIGHT franchise)? Authentically written and directed by accomplished indie filmmaker Eric Schaeffer (IF LUCY FELL starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Ben Stiller, Elle Macpherson, NEVER AGAIN starring Jeffrey Tambor and Jill Clayburgh), BOY MEETS GIRL simultaneously exemplifies and transcends the category of “LGBT film” to present the very human story of the blurry and complicated lines between friendship and romance, gender and sexuality.

Said writer-director Eric Schaeffer, “In making this film, I wanted everyone–regardless of gender (cis or trans) or sexual orientation to have a chance to identify with the film’s themes of wanting to be unconditionally loved and accepted for who we are. The message in this film is the same as in all my work: labeling leaves no room for who we really are, or how we really experience life. I think our only chance is to bury those labels forever in favor of a singular new one: human. Hate is easy.  The real courage is in love.”

BOY MEETS GIRL completed its theatrical run in February 2015 and garnered numerous awards on the film festival circuit, including Best Feature at the Teaneck International Film Festival, the prestigious Iris Prize Festival and the Memphis Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. The film also picked up multiple awards at FilmOut San Diego, sweeping up nearly every jury award for which it was eligible at the 2014 festival – nabbing statues for Best Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor. Hendley also won the Programming Award for Outstanding Emerging Talent.  

Watch Chapter 1 of ‘The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst’ Free on Youtube!

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HBO is feeling very generous today. It’s giving everyone a chance to see the first episode of the new doc series, The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, by offering free access to the first chapter on YouTube. Embedded below! Read More →