Enter new dimensions with the dark comedy film ‘Howard Original’

Howard Original remains one of those scrappy indie features that keeps turning up on streaming menus years after its initial run, still offering a dark comedy lens on the grind of screenwriting and the absurdities of the entertainment industry. The film follows a washed-up screenwriter named Howard who flees to a cabin after a string of failed relationships and creative dead ends, only to encounter an abandoned cat named Blue that blurs the line between reality and something stranger. The story, drawn from a 2017 short, leans into satire while exposing the misogyny, racism, and sexism that continue to shape writers’ rooms and sets. John Smistad captured the tone when he wrote, “Howard Original is about writing. The inspiration. The creative influences. The process. The satisfaction. The pride. And, alas, the pain inherent in relentless rejection and frustration. Write on.”

“Howard Original” is a dark comedy satire feature film that is now available for rental and purchase on Amazon Prime, Tubi, Google Play, YouTube Movies, and more. Visit the following link to begin watching the movie today: https://linktr.ee/howardoriginal

Recent Projects by the Filmmakers

Natalie Rodriguez has kept busy since directing Howard Original. She helmed Beyond the Moonlight and Dumpster Fire, both of which completed festival runs and moved toward wider releases. She is currently directing the feature Inner Child while preparing a novel adaptation of the same story, scheduled for September 22, 2026. Rodriguez is represented by Dapper Bird Entertainment, which has opened doors for larger character-driven projects across film and television. Kevin Michaels, who starred as Howard and co-wrote the script, has kept a lower profile but maintains credits that stretch back through cult and indie productions, including work tied to The Wild World of Ted V. Mikels.

Legacy and Streaming Impact

The feature continues to sit on Amazon Prime Video and Tubi in 2026, giving new viewers easy access without requiring physical media or festival tickets. The original short film version also remains online, preserving the twelve-page half-day shoot that started the whole project. That persistence in the indie streaming space shows how modest budgets and focused stories can still find audiences long after premiere season ends.

Themes in Context of Modern Entertainment Industry

The film’s commentary on creative rejection, industry gatekeeping, and the casual cruelties baked into Hollywood hierarchies has only grown more pointed. Discussions around writers’ room diversity and on-set power dynamics have intensified since 2021, yet the same patterns Howard encounters—dismissive notes, token casting, and the quiet erasure of certain voices—still surface in trade coverage and guild reports. Rodriguez and Michaels built the satire around lived experience rather than abstract critique, which keeps the humor grounded even when the scenarios veer into the surreal.

Fan and Cult Following

A small but steady audience has kept the project alive through merch and social channels. The official store offers apparel and prints, while the Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts continue to post updates and behind-the-scenes material. Those outlets function less as traditional marketing machines and more as ongoing scrapbooks for viewers who discovered the film through late-night streaming queues or festival word-of-mouth. The presence of Phantom Hall as Blue the Cat has also become a minor point of affection among fans who appreciate the practical, low-fi approach to the story’s central twist.

Starring Kevin Michaels, Natasha Galano, Iliyana Apostolova, Katt Balsan, Jasmine Richards, Darianna Parra, and Dave. Co-Starring: Ginger Presley, Ivon Millan, Alexandra Almendarez, Alessandra Mañon, Carina LaMarchina, Merlyn Scoggin, and Amber Pauline. Also co-starring Phantom Hall as “Blue the Cat.” Directed by Natalie Rodriguez. Story by & Written by Kevin Michaels and Natalie Rodriguez.

HISTORY OF HOWARD ORIGINAL – HAPPY ACCIDENTS

HOWARD ORIGINAL started out as an idea while creators Kevin Michaels and Natalie Rodriguez hung out at the Crave Cafe in Studio City. For months the duo bonded over favorite films and filmmakers, joking about the life of the stereotypical writer and the cats that often keep them company. Rodriguez has long owned a long-haired cat, so the premise landed close to home. A few weeks later Michaels suggested they make a movie. Rodriguez agreed and took on directing and cinematography duties for the short film version. They shot roughly twelve pages in half a day. That short won Best Film at the Culver City Film Festival and placed as a semi-finalist at the Oregon Short Film Festival. The short film version is now available to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On4jdrpiSac

MEET THE CREATORS

Leading talent Kevin Michaels stars as Howard Original. He also co-wrote the script and served as executive producer and producer. Director Natalie Rodriguez shares those writing and producing credits. Since completing Howard Original she has expanded her slate with additional features and is developing Inner Child, giving her a broader platform for the character-driven stories she favors. Rodriguez founded Extraordinary Pictures and continues to work with Dapper Bird Entertainment on future projects.

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT

Follow “Howard Original” on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howardoriginal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howardoriginal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/howardoriginal1

Trailer #1 for Howard Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7wkfAY2MzU Trailer #2 for Howard Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpj_QBvu-6o Trailer #3 for Howard Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW3oYGnZg-c Trailer #4 for Howard Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5CvIb-1-Gk Merch: https://www.zazzle.com/store/howardoriginal