Kissing Frogs
“Kissing Frogs” a film written by Terry Menefee Gau & directed by Brendan W. Riley.
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When I first read the script for “Kissing Frogs” I couldn’t believe it was still up for grabs. The combination, simple, straight forward, funny concept is a gem in an industry hellbent on adding needless complexity for less laughs.
What strikes me even two years after it began its festival run is how timeless the concept remains. No cell phones, current events, or reliance on modern day problems. Just the never-ending struggles of humanity in their quest for quality intimacy.
For the sake of honesty, I have been both a bad kisser and badly kissed. A bit of advice for the bad kissers out there: when it comes to intimacy I find that most of our problems stem from thinking far too deeply about ourselves.
This is another reason this project remains a favorite.
Our team, both cast and crew, gave themselves to this project. The showed up early, left late, and were always willing to go the extra mile (see the “bad kiss” performances).
As you will see in comparing the credits of my other featured films, this was also one of the largest teams I have worked with. It is a testament to their generosity that we remained organized even as our set rotated in-and-out 15 different actors in the span of 3 hours.
In closing, I’d like to give a shout out to Terry for trusting me with her work. It’s no knew thing for writers to be disappointed with the way a director handle’s their material. I appreciate that Terry trusted me to treat her writing as she intended. I grateful that the final work is something we both love.
Special Thanks
To Greta Harris and Kristofer Haase for the use of their locations, our friends & family for supporting out creative spirits, and the Virginia Screenwriters Forum for encouraging their writers to produce shorts.
Thank You
![[poster for the film kissing frogs]](https://i0.wp.com/brendanwriley.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/KISSING-FROGS.webp?resize=1080%2C1350&ssl=1)
Directed by Brendan W. Riley
Written by Terry Menefee Gau
Produced by Terry Menefee Gau & Adam Lapallo
Starring — Ashley Thompson & Adam Lapallo
Ensemble — Jeff Clevenger, Kellita Wooten, Gege Ellenberger, Patricia Alli, Foster Solomon, Amy Berlin, Terry Menefee Gau, Sarbajeet Das, Brandy Stevens, Thomas Nowlin, Kevin Lee Rosenblum, Kathy Parker
Cinematography/Gaffer/Color Grade — David Patterson
Camera Op/Production Sound Mixer — David Fritzson
Production Assistant — David Patrick Wittle
Cast & Crew
![[image of director writer brendan w riley]](https://i0.wp.com/ytv.iwp.mybluehost.me/website_4b632eb1/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_0333-scaled.jpeg?fit=1024%2C732&ssl=1)
Brendan W. Riley
Director
Brendan W. Riley is an American film director and screenwriter whose work explores the tension between individual control and systemic pressure. A former RIFF Arts Institute Fellow, he brings a background in psychology, photography, and acting to a precise, minimalist filmmaking style. His short films—including The Choice, BLACKOUT, and Kissing Frogs—have screened at the Richmond International Film Festival, Indie Short Film Festival, and Ocean City Film Festival. He is the founder of Riley Films LLC and an Artistic Associate with HATTheatre, currently developing his new short film Still.
Terry Menefee Gau
Writer
Terry Menefee Gau is an accomplished actor & writer. She has a varied theatre and film resume, spanning over twenty-five years as an actor, producer, writer, and director. Terry is a proud member of the Virginia Screenwriters’ Forum, has several award-winning scripts under her belt, and is on next year’s waitlist for the competitive fellowship at Storyknife Writers Retreat (https://storyknife.org/) in Homer, Alaska. She is represented by the Muraviov Company in L.A. and works with clients to bring their story to the screen.