Filmmaker Brendan Boogie Crafts Accurate Buddy Comedy ‘Tallywacker’

Inclusion and representation have become a bit more incorporated into storytelling in recent years. But that doesn’t always mean the stories being told share the whole picture.

Enter independent filmmaker Brendan Boogie, who was tasked with creating an accurate depiction of a person with a disability by someone who would know — Jeremy Dubs, a rock musician with a disability.

What resulted is the feature film Tallywacker, a rock-and-roll buddy comedy that strikes a bittersweet chord of truth about fame and friendship.

Tallywacker picked up a Special Jury Award at Boston’s Independent Film Festival and an Honorable Mention in Los Angeles at Dances With Films. It released worldwide digitally this week from Freestyle Digital Media, a division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group.

The character-driven comedy marks the third outing for Boogie, following his acclaimed Sundown and The Sympathy Card.

What’s Tallywacker about?

Brendan Boogie: Tallywacker is a rock and roll buddy comedy about a disabled musician who gets to live out his rock star dreams while his best friend reluctantly comes along for the ride. It’s a good time. People should seriously consider watching it. Or don’t. I’m not pushy like that.

Where did you come up with the idea for it?

Brendan Boogie: Jeremy and I have known each other for years. He used to be in a band with my ex-wife’s sister. Like most disabled people I’m sure, he was sick of the lack of accurate representation in films. So he put out a challenge on his social media to all his filmmaker friends to create something with a real disabled person portraying a realistic disabled character. Just from knowing his story, I always thought that his life was pretty interesting. So we met up and he told me some stories. And thus it was spoken – Tallywacker was born.

You specifically created your main character Aleister to showcase a “fully realized disabled character”; tell us about this and why it was so important for you as a filmmaker?

Brendan Boogie: Jeremy was definitely the driving force behind it. We didn’t want to half ass it. Most portrayals you see of disabled people in film are victim narratives or ‘inspiration porn.’ With Aleister, we wanted to show the full human being. Sometimes he’s sweet.

Sometimes he’s an asshole. He wants to be kind but also wants to get laid. You know – like a human being. Without Jeremy’s willingness to show the full experience of a disabled person in the world, we wouldn’t be doing the story justice. I think we nailed it, but I’m kind of biased like that. Because – you know – I’m the writer/director.

Were there any challenges with hiring an actor with a disability that you hadn’t anticipated as an able-bodied person?

Brendan Boogie: I’m certainly way more aware of accessibility than I was before making the film. But honestly, filming with Jeremy in Western Massachusetts came with so many more bonuses than challenges. He’s a true rock star there. People love him. A few times, a location fell through at the last minute. So we’d show up to film somewhere as a surprise with no permits, expecting to have to sweet talk our way in. People would just see Jeremy and say “No problem – he’s a great drummer.” It felt like rolling around town with a wheelchaired Taylor Swift or something.

There seems to be terrific chemistry between your best friend main characters, Jeremy Dubs (Aleister’) and Chris Goodwin (‘Emmett’). Was that present naturally or did you help to foster that magic?

Brendan Boogie: It’s so funny – Jeremy and Chris hadn’t met before being cast in the movie. I didn’t even know Chris was a drummer when I first talked to him about doing the role. I had just known him as an actor in other films, so it was a crazy good fortune that he actually plays drums. Before we started shooting, they got together for band rehearsals. By the time shooting rolled around, they weren’t just friends – they were a real band. Bandmates is a unique relationship and they didn’t fake it. They became it. It was just one of those magical things that happens when you collaborate with good people.

And the band is continuing! To celebrate the VOD release, Tallywacker the band is going on tour. Hit us up if you want Tallywacker in your town!

What’s the central theme or message you hope audiences take away from Tallywacker?

Brendan Boogie: I don’t tend to think of messages in filmmaking. With Tallywacker, I hope people laugh, rock out to the original music, care about the characters, and of course pay me a seven-figure deal to write and direct the new David Hasselhoff biopic. Get this – in my version, he karate fights with Hitler! Badass, right?

As a filmmaker, what types of stories are you interested most in telling?

Brendan Boogie: I tend to like to tell stories about flawed people doing their best. My favorite movies drip with humanity – I’m much more interested in connecting on a human level than being hemmed in by any type of story or genre. I write comedy, drama, sci fi, horror – whatever. But the important thing is that you give a damn about the characters.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Whenever I’d start taking anything too seriously, my late Dad would lean in and say “You know it’s all bullshit, right?” Immensely useful.

Boogie (R) on the set of TALLYWACKER

What inspires you most in your life and career?

Brendan Boogie: Honestly, I’m inspired by the entire cast and crew of Tallywacker. They are so talented and kind and generous. When I was at the world premiere in NY at Dances With Films festival, I remember looking around at all these wonderful people and thought “These people are all here because I wrote something down.” It still blows my mind. I wrote a script and they followed it through with me. They all jumped on board a small movie with very little money and an insanely ambitious production schedule. It was a wonderful experience from beginning to end and we are proud of the product. What’s more inspiring than that?

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Brendan Boogie: Nope. I have nothing left in my ragged spirit. You have spent me, FilmDaily. I am utterly spent.

We’re pretty sure he’s joking — at least we hope so.