In an interview with Indiewire after her feature film It Happened in L.A. played this year’s Sundance, Writer/director Michelle Morgan divulged a sentiment that seemingly sums up the two films she’s written/directed to date: “I think the people in Los Angeles are the funniest thing. It’s weird to live in a town that’s so one-note, where everywhere you go, people are looking around to see if there’s someone better to talk to, or who just walked in. It’s hard on you. And it’s funny because every single person admits at some point that it’s hard on them.”  

That quote was in given in regard to her feature, which was released last month in theaters and digitally by The Orchard, but applies equally well to K.I.T., the 2013 short film that was Morgan’s first directing project. In the short, Morgan plays “Michelle”—an obsessive and somewhat neurotic version of herself who decides that she should honor that obligatory pleasantry we give in all sorts of interpersonal encounters—the request that we “keep in touch”. 

What results is a cringingly funny comedy of manners between mis-matched women, as Michelle repeatedly entreats her former grocery store clerk, CJ, to join her on various outings. Motivated in part by the sentiment of that above quote—a desire to be more egalitarian, and appreciate people as they are—Michelle tries to bridge the vast gulf between her and CJ on matters of fashion and lifestyle. Combining a confused and funny mix of earnestness with shocking condescension, Michelle repeatedly puts her foot in her mouth in her attempts to connect with CJ, and, as the awkwardness piles up, her ulterior motivation becomes more plain. 

Multi-hyphenate female talent is incredibly en vogue at the moment, and it’s easy to understand the acclaim that greeted Morgan and the film out of Sundance in 2013. While a bit rudimentary in terms of direction (but quite accomplished as a first effort), the short film displays a sparkling wit which does credit to Morgan’s more extensive experience as a screenwriter. Furthermore Morgan turns in a winning performance in front of the camera in an incredibly difficult comedic role—portraying oblivious self-involvement, yet somehow maintaining the audience’s affection. Kristen Wiig took notice, and latched onto a Morgan feature script around this time, which became the film A Girl Most Likely, and Morgan was the subject a short NyTimes profile later in the year upon the feature’s release. 

The intervening years were quiet in terms of credits, but busy behind the scenes, as Morgan worked to get It Happened in L.A. made, and also was engaged in a hi-profile gig writing the much anticipated Lego Movie Sequel. While It Happened in L.A. has been modestly received upon its release, the feature, which stars Dree Hemingway and Kentucker Audley, was recently a spotlight selection in the iTunes store, and is a solid step in Morgan’s path towards becoming a major filmmaker. Coinciding with the feature’s release, K.I.T., came online last month as a premiere of No Budge, the excellent website that her L.A. co-star Audley runs, and which specializes in American indie filmmaking. No word yet on Morgan’s future directing plans, but we’re certain a new feature will be forthcoming from this talented creator.