Chad Capellman had the chance to re-connect with Michael Parks Randa, a former colleague who is coming off the release of his first feature film after more than a decade as an established music video director. Best Summer Ever, an original inclusive high school musical, features a fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities, and has been backed by the likes of Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, Maggie Gyllenhaal and others. The critically-acclaimed film was a labor of love for Randa, whose parents have been actively involved in supporting people with disabilities for more than 50 years. They talked about the challenges of shooting realistic sports scenes, the star turn and by two young sports announcers in the film, the teamwork involved with co-directing, and Randa's ties to the people behind the Oscar-nominated documentary Crip Camp. They also talked about life at Doomsday Entertainment, a Los Angeles-based agency that includes industry standouts like Childish Gambino, Barry and Atlanta director Hiro Mur-ai, and how Michael's activist father's adventures are now providing inspiration for his next writing and directing endeavor.
