Fit by Kit

“Mr. Ron Howard, can I please have one minute of your time?”

That’s how I started this conversation that I will remember for the rest of my life. In 2022, when I committed to directing Isabel’s Garden after rejections from numerous directors, I had to learn quick. I read books. I studied films. I learned about lenses from my cinematographer. I would freeze frame shots and research what the names of the shot were on YouTube. But then I took Ron Howard’s masterclass. I spent so many nights rewatching his videos and hearing his words and letting them sink in. He had so many gems that I took with me. It was so much information to take in but but at the very end, he said, “When all else fails, if you can get a wide shot, a medium and singles, you have a movie.” With a 15 day shoot, there were many times I had to throw my shot list away and remember those sage words he said through a screen.

Today, in 2024, I am in Cannes while Isabel’s Garden is screening at the market and I had just pitched in front of hundreds of people my new romantic comedy I’ve written.

This very day, I walked into the party and saw that Ron Howard right in front of me. He was being given a lifetime achievement award. Lily Gladstone introduced him. And when he stood up, just a few feet from me, I cried. I couldn’t help it. I’m a total mush. What a full circle, kismet moment for me. I couldn’t not tell him what he did for me.

Only a few weeks ago I was at a festival screening Isabel’s Garden and I talked about his influence on me to the crowd.

I beelined towards him and within moments I was telling him how he helped me. How, in my heart, he saved me. He was the kindest. Asked questions. Was so encouraging. Then he gave me the perfect response, “You know who gave me that advice? George Lucas.”

Bc that’s the lesson, we are all just helping each other out. Helping each other find our way home. That’s what this is all about. Isn’t it?

He gave me one minute. A minute that will last me a lifetime.