WEBSITE: www.thebestfriend.tv
CREATORS: Marilyn Anne Michaels & Allie Smith
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Michael Elias, Marilyn Anne Michaels, & Allie Smith
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Cat Deakins
EDITORS: Donna Mathewson, Katrina Bolletta
DIRECTOR: Tarique Qayumi
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Alize Emme, Sylvia Terry
LINE PRODUCER/CASTING DIRECTOR: Lydia Blanco
FIRST ASSISTANT CAMERA: Jacki Moonves
GAFFER: Taryn Roraback
SCRIPT SUPERVISOR: Amanda Sammarco, Sarah Horton
CAST: Marilyn Anne Michaels, Allie Smith, Eric Loya, Jeanette O’Connor
The Best Friend is a musical comedy hybrid that disproves a few misperceptions about women, while also being deliriously fun. In the Hollywood formula, the romantic lead is usually the cute, perfect, clutzy girl with a quirky best friend who has the responsibility of delivering a few quips. This show turns that formula on its head.
Described as “a little bit Bridget Jones, a little bit Cathy,” the show’s romantic lead is the self-help addicted, endearingly imperfect songwriter Millie (played by co-creator Marilyn Anne Michaels) who has an epiphany in therapy that she has been living in the shadow of her adorably blonde, size 2 best friend Sooze (played by co-creator Allie Smith). [Insert girls going, ME TOO!] The show succeeds because of both girls’ willingness to poke fun at their strengths, weaknesses, and the stereotypes that try to define them, ultimately proving that women are fabulous in all shapes, sizes, and hair colors.
Produced by two “empowered” actors, the show also disproves the idea that women are not actively working as crew members. In addition to the two female creators, take a look at the partial credits listed above and you will see female editors, DPs, gaffers, ADs, and assistant camera operators.
More, more Please!