For years, humorist and frequent NPR contributor David Sedaris has fended off advances from movie producers eager to turn his writing into blockbusters. But, a young indie filmmaker who cut his teeth in Miami is the first to give a Sedaris story the Hollywood treatment.
Kyle Patrick Alvarez first read David Sedaris's autobiographical short story "C.O.G" when he was fifteen years old. He says the characters stayed with him for a long time - all throughout his years in the University of Miami's film program and well after he moved to L.A. to try his hand at directing.
He knew that Sedaris is notoriously gun-shy about having his work adapted for the screen. But during a book signing in Irvine California, Alvarez handed Sedaris a DVD of his debut film, "Easier With Practice",
"I just said, 'If you like the film, I'd like to talk to you about some ideas.' And he responded well to the movie and sent me a nice e-mail and it started a dialogue between."
Apparently, Alvarez's tactic worked like a charm. "C.O.G." opens this coming Friday in theaters nationwide - including Miami's O Cinema. The film stars Jonathan Groff, best known for his role on television's "Glee."