CREATOR STATEMENT
by Lydia Hyslop, Writer | Director | Producer

Sheila Got Bangs is my entire heart and soul in a screenplay—an homage to my Southern roots, my musical family, and the comedy and tragedy that make this messy, beautiful life.

I was born to a family of musicians in the South. Family gatherings often centered around singing, my grandfather’s barbershop tenor booming more loudly than anyone else. His powerful voice was the heartbeat of our family. Whether we belted out holiday carols, religious hymns, or our favorite Beatles songs, we each managed to find our note, forming spontaneous harmony. Singing in harmony is such an intimate form of bonding; its power can break or heal your heart, akin to a religious experience.

I spent much of my youth in the small town of Eden, NC, where my mother was raised and my grandparents lived. Being surrounded by the small town, country charm of Eden shaped much of who I am today. In fact, as I wrote this screenplay, I would envision my grandparents’ home; it became the backdrop for Sheila Got Bangs in my mind, and the words began to flow. There’s a strange magic to those winding country roads that just feels like home. It's always been a main character of this story.

I was first compelled to write this screenplay after I lost a friend to suicide. Unanswered questions and unfinished business always follow in the wake of someone taking their own life. Writing Sheila Got Bangs served as a means not only to process grief from my friend’s death but also to heal from a painful and abusive divorce I was simultaneously navigating. Grief, guilt, and the unknowns of both the suicide and the end of my marriage informed the story in different ways.

As a writer and director, I love exploring the subtle nuances of family bonds that run deep and blood that boils hot. The characters in Sheila Got Bangs are based on colorful folks I’ve encountered firsthand, the kind they only make in the South. I’ll give the rest of the world the benefit of the doubt here—if you haven’t experienced the South firsthand, you may not believe its flagrant colors. Tall tales and big personalities are just a part of daily life here. Sheila Got Bangs aims to celebrate the beauty of the South alongside its flaws rather than bring vague caricatures to the screen.

There is a strong musical bent to Sheila Got Bangs, but the film certainly can’t be billed as a traditional musical. The actors will perform songs within the scenes and accompany themselves on various instruments. The style of the music is bittersweet country-folk, heavily inspired by the Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, & Linda Ronstadt album Trio and the Connie Converse album How Sad, How Lovely.

I look to films like A Woman Under The Influence and Errol Morris’ documentary Tabloid as inspiration. While Sheila Got Bangs is primarily a drama, the overall tone will often veer into dark comedy territory. These are authentic characters with spunk, grit, and humor that hover just above the surface of their pain. I love using long, lingering takes; giving actors space to breathe and exist in their world yields incredibly nuanced and authentic performances.

Sheila Got Bangs is for anyone who has been affected by the loss of a loved one; for anyone who has ever lived in the South; for those who have left and returned home; for those who have navigated divorce; for those who have been affected by mental illness; for anyone who loves to sing; for those who love hearing three-part harmony; for anyone raising children; for those healing from childhood trauma; for those who are breaking generational curses; for those who, against all odds, still hope; for anyone who can find beauty in the mundane and humor amidst their grief; for those who yearn to feel, connect, and relate but don’t always know how.