It’s time to let your “gaydar” down and watch a very funny First Period with a simple plot that entertains. Now on DVD with witty performances by Brandon Alexander III and Dudley Beene in the role of teen girls, the fun film turns the late 80’s high school era into a different kind of coming-of-age playground. The comedy skits get a little over the top, but it’s all in fun “John Water’s” style.
Cassi (Brandon Alexander III), a home schooled girl, enters her first public school as a sophomore just 5 days before her 16th Birthday. Looking forward to meeting kids her age on a High School level, she puts on her best flashy outfit and a smile from ear to ear. In luck the first teens she meets entering school grounds are the popular Heather’s (Lauren Rose Lewis, Karli Kaiser) walking with their boyfriends Dirk (Michael Turchin) and Brett (Leigh Wakeford). She wants to get popular quick so she can invite the most influential to her birthday party.
After a brief exchange of niceties and not so nice comments she enters her first classroom ever, sex education. There she meets the not so pretty and dumpy Maggie (Dudley Beene) a demoralized teen that’s been the brunt of jokes since she was in grade school. After some snooty remarks and degrading sexual innuendos towards Maggie by the teacher Mr. Klein (Jack Plotnick), Cassi decides to take her side. So begins a relationship that takes the two 16-year-old girls on a non-stop coming-of-age tailspin.
Nicely directed by Charlie Vaughn who’s helmed several features and shorts since 2009, First Period has a tinge of flavor that only John Waters could provide back in the day. He keeps his film very campy with similarities to other teen high school comedies, but changing it up using males as the young girls. Depicting Brandon Alexander III’s original script, it was easy for Vaughn to envision each scene with the actor in the lead role. The most amazing thing however, Vaughn shot the film in only 10 days on a low budget.
Vaughn showcases some very witty actors in key roles including Cassi’s wacky mother (Casandra Peterson who’s known for her character “Elvira Mistress of the Dark”), the sexually charged Mr. Klein played by Jack Plotnick (“Reno 911!”) and the very talented Diane Salinger as a Zany Art Teacher. The trio add a lot of life to his film and the silly classroom scenes.
But the stars of the show are the two guys who step up with very funny roles as teen girls trying to survive a high school year. Both Alexander III and Beene put on a great show blending into the two misfits who turn the tables on their peers. From the beginning, even though you know he’s a male, Alexander III takes on a girly persona and crafts Cassi with aplomb. Make-up and outfits work well to help his cause, but it’s the voice and nuisances that make his character work. I can even say the same for Beene as he turns his ugly ducking into a rapping swan.
Bonus Features:
“ Audio Commentary” by director Charlie Vaughn, stars Dudley Beene and Brandon Alexander III and editor Corey Ziemniak. A very good tutorial on making a good film.
“Deleted Song ‘Pool Party”’
“The Making of First Period” Goes through the steps on how the film was made on a small budget and in only 10 days of shooting.
“Deleted Scenes” all three should have been left in the film especially ‘Steve Smith’s Art Class’ which is a hoot.
First Period has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains a lot of rude, crude and sometimes lewd language along with some suggestive sexual material. It’s a lot of fun for those who can watch the film as a spoof and no more than that.
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Brandon Alexander III, Dudley Beene, Cassandra Peterson, Lauren Rose Lewis, Karli Kaiser, Michael Turchin, Leigh Wakeford, , Jack Plotnick, Rebekah Kochan and Diane Salinger
Director: Charlie Vaughn
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains language and suggestive material
Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 1 hr. 40 min
Original Theatrical Release Date: July 27, 2013
Video Release Date: April 24, 2015
Language: English
Format: DVD
Audio: 5.1 Surround Sound
Video: Widescreen 16×9 Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
Subtitles: None
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: Screen Media
