4’x5’ Prop Toilet Built to Summon Spirit for This Fun, Inclusive Horror/Comedy Short Film Shot in Atlanta

Filmed in Atlanta, teen horror comedy short “Sweaty Larry” makes its world premiere at the 27th Annual Dances With Films festival on Saturday, June 29, 11:45 p.m. PT at Hollywood’s famed TCL Chinese Theatre as part of the “Midnight Shorts 2” block. Written and directed by Vanessa Ionta Wright of Renegade Film Productions (Stephen King authorized short “Rainy Season”) and executive produced by Chameleon Multimedia owner Ryan Burton, the six-minute film follows three young girls — played by newcomers Sienna Burton and Camryn Bentley, along with Quinn Reames — attempting to summon an obscure urban legend that may or may not have originated in ancient Arabia. Tickets can be purchased here.

“Sweaty Larry” dramatically opens with a group of kids meddling with a Ouija board in a darkened, candlelit room. While Hannah (Haley Leary) tries to enjoy some quiet “study time” with her girlfriend, her younger sister Amy (Sienna Burton) and friends Violet (Camryn Bentley) and Darla (Quinn Reames) wrap up watching the horror film and huddle together to try a different supernatural game. As Amy explains, it’s a bit like the conjuring of Bloody Mary — but here you flush the toilet nine times and call for “Sweaty Larry” (Victor Rivera). What could go wrong? And why is Larry so sweaty?

LINKS:

  • Dances With Films festival Link: https://danceswithfilms.com/sweaty-larry/
  • Teasers
    • https://vimeo.com/900806615
    • https://vimeo.com/953975271
    • https://vimeo.com/953977224
  • Press Kit / Photos Link: https://bit.ly/SweatyLarryPhotosPressKit
  • “Sweaty Larry” Theme Song - The hilarious, danceable over-credits original song was written and performed by Ross Childress, co-founder of the rock band Collective Soul. Lyrics by Vanessa Ionta Wright.

“We hope audiences embrace this introduction of the lesser-known urban legend ‘Sweaty Larry’ at this year’s Dances With Films festival,” said Atlanta-based filmmaker Vanessa Ionta Wright. “Inspired by the slumber parties of my youth and everyone’s favorite Bloody Mary urban legend, we filmed this inclusive, tongue-in-cheek horror short in Atlanta, with some amazing local talent, both in front of and behind the camera, who bravely brought our ever-perspiring legend to life.”

Filmed in a single day at Wright’s Peachtree City, Georgia home, some ingenuity was involved to create the cringe Sweaty Larry toilet reveal. The life-size 4 feet by 5 feet toilet prop was built by hand and currently resides in Wright’s basement. A first for this award-winning production designer, Jason Thompson fashioned Sweaty Larry’s toilet out of a block of foam. Beyond the Dances With Films festival, the short is currently under consideration to screen in several additional film festivals in 2024. It will be part of Atlanta’s indie Renegade Film Festival in February 2025.

For screener links and press materials for review and/or festival purposes, please reach out to our contacts. Interviews are also available.

Debbie Fitzgerald Fitzgerald PR Inc. 770-823-6477 debbie@fitzgeraldpr.com

David H. Gardner DGPR 310-291-1156 dgardnerpublicrelations@gmail.com