When two friends accept an invitation to see the new couch of an up-and-coming comedian/actor, it turns into an evening of heavy drinking and idiosyncratic self-expression. Kailee McGee directs “The Idea of a You,” a self-referential portrait of the lives and romantic inclinations of three L.A. artists / filmmakers / actors. The trio find themselves in moments of plateau, having reached some level of success or notoriety but grasping for what’s next. As Kailee, the filmmaker, and Kate, the actor, tour the new apartment of Whitmer, the comedian, the night becomes a playground of attention-seeking, lusting, fantasy and catharsis, which toggles in tone between silly and melancholic, meta and earnest, “elevated” and playful. It’s a showcase for its three performers, each NoBudge regulars, Whitmer Thomas, Anna Cordell, and Kate Adams. And a solid addition to the filmography of McGee — whom we’ve featured previously with “#blessed” (2015), “The Person I Am When No One is Looking” (2019) and “Kate, Unhinged” (2020) — who continues her exploration of identity and performance and crafts another rousing dance sequence, one of her signature moves. -KA. Director, writer: Kailee McGee. Starring Kate Adams, Anna Cordell, Whitmer Thomas. Producer, editor: Rich Costales. Executive Producer: Adam Lisagor. Director of Photography: Connor Heck. Production Designer: Rose Curry. Original Music by Dresage. Choreography by Maritza Navarro.
Kailee McGee, the online persona, sets out to discover Kailee McGee, the real person, in this funny and soul-searching self-portrait of a L.A. filmmaker in flux. A film about identity, and the simultaneous quests for attention and authenticity. Directed by Kailee McGee. Starring Kailee McGee, Mit...
An L.A. actress invites her filmmaker friend to a Palm Springs getaway from quarantine, a supposedly restorative trip that turns frustrating. “Kate, Unhinged,” directed by Kailee McGee, is a meta deconstruction on acting and friendship which follows the maneuvering of a well-positioned creative t...
Dallas Mapleshade, a delusional actress, hires a filmmaker to make a feature documentary about her life to propel her into the spotlight. “#Blessed,” co-directed by Rich Costales and Kailee McGee, is a bonkers ‘fine line between real and fake’ romp through the life of a wannabe star, carried by a...