Our Story
Bathroom stalls talk, but do we listen? “Help me.” Do we laugh? “The engineer next door turns me on...”Do we respond? “I throw up my food.” What if these voices were given a body? Given a life, given a chance? Stalled is a short film that exposes thoughts, feelings and struggles through shocking graffiti found in women’s bathrooms.
Stalled is a very unique piece. The whole film takes place in a public bathroom, and one actress plays all the characters. Based on found material, this film depicts anonymous secrets, shared from one woman to another through the walls of a washroom stall. People are braver when their identity is protected, so the honesty discovered on walls across the continent is both heart felt and terrifying. 
The audience is taken on this journey by the fictional character of a janitor. As she cleans, she notices graffiti. Some quotes come off, some do not. Some are trivial. Some are not. Then as she enters each stall, she becomes the woman behind the door. The woman with a story to tell. Five stalls. Five stories. All real.
Meghan Gardiner has written the script for this short film and will play all of the characters. Shannon Kohli will direct the film, and we are thrilled to have Doug Morrow, renowned special effects make-up artist on board to transform Meghan into each character through the of use prosthetics. Hair and wardrobe will also be extensive, to assist in the development of each character.
Visually, every character has a very distinct look and production design. Lighting and camera angles will also be altered for each stall, as though it was a completely different environment. Sound is also a key element and the design will reflect the character’s lives and emotions, both inside and outside the bathroom stall.
The Impact
Meghan has been collecting quotations (with help from lots of hand sanitizer) for over two and a half years. In a way, this piece is writing itself, showing us what issues and challenges are plaguing society. We hope that this film impacts people on a human level, inspiring some change or at least some recognition that there are certain issues that can no longer remain on the walls. Artistically, we hope that this film has an impact because of the unique angle we are taking, and the unique perspective that we have.
Who We Are
Meghan Gardiner is a Vancouver based actor and playwright, who has been performing her one woman play Dissolve across North America since 2003. She hit an untapped market with this play and due to the subject matter (sexual assault), struck a nerve in communities across the continent. Due to the overwhelming success of Dissolve, Meghan was commissioned to write an adaptation for Green Thumb Theatre, and also created a documentary film which garnered her a screenwriting nomination at the 2010 Leo Awards in Vancouver. She was a 2011 YWCA Woman of Distinction nominee, and also received a citation from the American Alliance for Theatre in Education in 2007. Meghan works actively in Canadian Theatre, having performed at the Arts Club, Playhouse, Western Canada Theatre, Chemainus Theatre Festival, Axis Theatre and the Electric Company. She has worked on several local TV shows as well, and is excited to tackle Stalled not only as an artist, but as an activist for women’s issues. Meghan is a graduate of UBC’s acting program.
Shannon Kohli was born in Canada but grew up in Geneva, Switzerland. She moved back to Canada to study at the University of British Columbia, where she graduated with a BA in Film. While there, she directed the short film Exposure, and while she focused her attention on directing, Shannon studied every aspect of filmmaking while at pursuing her degree. She won best cinematography for The Night Visitor and Big Shoes to Fill at the POV film Festival. Since finishing her degree, Shannon has mainly been working as a director of photography and camera operator, but has also directed several commercials and public service announcements as well 2nd units on larger films. She has also directed music videos, such as Sara Lynn’s Thing 4 U, Pahki for Harj and Lost Love for The Shy Brothers. Shannon was the recipient of the WIFVV Kodak Excellence award in 2005 and is a cinematography member of the International Guild of Photographers, IATSE 669. Shannon is looking forward to advancing her career into the field of direction.