The director of Billy the Kid made her living as a street casting agent (she specialized in casting real background/extras for films for a more realistic look and feel instead of hiring extras through a casting agency).
One of her assignments brought her to a small town in Maine where she spent many-a-day sitting in a high school cafeteria observing the students.
Curious as to why some students sat at specific lunch tables while others were not allowed to intermingle, the soon-to-be director started asking questions.
After approaching a table of "jocks," she asked about who was allowed at their table and who wasn't. They told her of an incident when one student (obviously not allowed at their table) sat at their table and as a result, they beat him up.
She asked them to point to the student. They pointed to a boy sitting alone eating his lunch.
The director decided to question the outcast boy and soon saw a personality larger than life and a genuine curiosity began to grow.
After completing her casting assignment for the short film (which included Billy), the director returned to the small town and filmed Billy as her primary subject. The result - Billy the Kid.
Billy is a typical 15-year-old in many aspects - plays air guitar, loves wrestling and thinks of girls every waking moment of every day - yet we soon discover that there's something a bit different about Billy as his past trickles in referencing behavioral problems, institutionalization, and treatment.
Although many of Billy's past and current challenges may be more than most adults can handle, it's Billy's quirky, insightful and compassionate personality that shines through.
His brief romance with a girl at the local coffee shop (which included a walk around the block, Billy's constant visits as a customer and an all-too-sweet moment when Billy walks her behind a building out of sight - yet not without his microphone - and asks her to be his girlfriend; she says, "Yes," then there's a quick peck-on-the-cheek sound before they return) ends within days. The coffee shop girl felt they were moving too quickly.
Billy never allows his challenges to get in the way of is wise-beyond-years personality. His answers to many questions are mature and profound and by the end of the film, you begin wonder if the world would be a better place if there were more Billys.
I invite you to pay attention today for any challenges that may occur. What do you do? Do you keep going or stop in your tracks? How can you gain inspiration from Billy and walk through (instead of around) the challenges?
I'd love to hear your discoveries and comments!
P.S. If any of the films I've blogged about spark your interest, you can visit the Los Angeles Film Festival web site for more specific information. You might look for film festivals in your area or Google the specific film to find the film's web page that might offer more up-to-date information.









