RECAP: Reel Talk - November 11th: Live at the Tara Theatre - ATL

Check out some fantastic projects from local filmmakers!

The filmmakers behind this month's Reel Talk programming (Photo by Mikey Smith)

It’s that time again! Reel Talk is back and better than ever.

The brainchild of ATL filmmaker/Reel Friends founder Rocco Shapiro, Reel Talk is a monthly mixer where artists share projects they’re proud of, such as short films, music videos, commercials, and more. Films are screened once in full and then replayed on mute while the director provides a live commentary. This unique format goes beyond a typical Q&A and creates an interactive environment for conversation. 

Rocco Shapiro of Reel Friends (Photo by Mikey Smith)

For their November screening on Tuesday, the Tara Theatre was abuzz with an eager audience. This month’s lineup included:

Closer (dir. Rayna Sklar) – Atticus Roness is making a splash in the ATL indie scene with his catchy lyrics and upbeat tunes. To create a music video for his song “Closer,” he enlisted the help of filmmaker Rayna Sklar. Sklar clearly has an eye for visual art—her background in photography shines through her use of color and symmetry. The video is fun, fresh, and funky, evoking memories of classic MTV joints we all know and love. The cherry on top to an already-awesome music video? A puppet version of Roness, envisioned by Sklar and brought to life by Annie Wall. The artists behind this project make a phenomenal team, and we can only hope this isn’t their last collaboration.

Rayna Sklar and Atticus Roness presenting Closer (Photo by Mikey Smith)

9 Lives (dir. Millie Rose Evans) – Fresh off critically-acclaimed addiction drama Withdrawal, multihyphenate Millie Rose Evans chose to revisit her queer comedy short, 9 Lives. The film follows Clara (played by Evans) and June (played by Ren Muccino, a “fellow former TikTok celesbian” in Evans’ words), two strangers faced with an awkward task: burying Beans, June’s dead cat. The script is laugh-out-loud funny, but the emotional beats of the story pack just the right punch. Evans is charming both onscreen and off, lighting up the room with her rapid-fire wit and electric personality. From start to finish, 9 Lives is heartwarming tale of friendship, finding yourself, and true love.

Director Millie Rose Evans giving commentary for her short 9 Lives (Photo by Mikey Smith)

Hagen O'Neil, director of Love Language (Photo by Mikey Smith)

Love Language (dir. Hagen O’Neil) – It often feels like extravagance is required to stand out as an artist, but it’s crucial to remember a tried-and-true sentiment: sometimes, less is more. Hagen O’Neil’s Love Language is a brilliant poster child for this concept. The director explained that much of the project was left on the editing room floor, leading to a self-contained snapshot of power dynamics in relationships. The film exists in a dreamlike state, somewhere between asleep and awake. Sparkling stars, pastel clouds, and bubble baths set the scene for Sylvia (Aedin Waldorf) and James’ (Sam Clifford) secret world. We peer through curtains and out hazy windows, sneaking a glimpse into their private lives. In a few simple scenes, O’Neil says enough to last a lifetime.

Retail Therapy director Aaron Parrish-Dean (Photo by Mikey Smith)

Retail Therapy (dir. Aaron Parrish-Dean) – Crafting commercials for Fortune 100 companies, Aaron Parrish-Dean was searching for a deeper way to combine his passions. Retail Therapy (watch here!) was developed to scratch that creative itch. Led by AYREANA, the fashion film is centered around mental health and the dangers of obsession. The background actors are well-dressed and drone-like, merely cogs in the machine as our lead tries to break out of her head. Parrish-Dean cited Stanley Kubrick as a key inspiration behind the piece’s mesmerizing cinematography. During the film’s therapy scene, one viewer cried out “That shot, though!”—if you’ve seen the film, you know exactly which frame they were referencing. It’s safe to say the audience was hooked and is eager for what Parrish-Dean does next.

A.K. Espada's commentary on I Could Just Die, and That Would Be All Right (Photo by Mikey Smith)

I Could Just Die, and That Would Be All Right (dir. A.K. Espada) – Rounding out the night, A.K. Espada presented a gutting horror short about a young runner’s struggle for survival amidst suicidal ideations. The story will leave you thinking for days on end, exploring the complexities of sacrificial love as both a giver and a receiver. Courtney Locke and Chris Mayers give stellar performances, and the film’s references to (specifically North Georgian) folklore offer a fresh take on the genre. The short is not for the faint of heart, yet its gruesome visuals are so well-orchestrated that it’s nearly impossible to look away. I won’t spoil the film’s twists and turns, but I Could Just Die, and That Would Be All Right is a must-see gut-punch of a wild ride.

The creative minds of November's Reel Talk (Photo by Mikey Smith)

Missed this month’s Reel Talk? Not a problem! Click here to buy tickets for their December event. Also, if you’re Georgia filmmaker and you’ve got a project you’re proud of, 2026 Reel Talk submissions are now open! Click here to visit their FilmFreeway page for more info.

 Article by Olivia Smith. Photos by Mikey Smith. Please credit @mts2.photo or @art.seen.atl if reposting on social media.