Warning: Nudity ahead

Best friends, Frankie (Trevor VanArsdale), Chris (Jorge Oldez) and Oscar (Anthony Ortega) decide to step outside their comfort zones when they accept an invitation to a men-only pool part in filmmaker Carlos Suarez’s Naked Pool Party (Photo courtesy of Carlos Suarez)

STEVEN LINDSEY | Contributing writer
StevenCraigLindsey@GMail.com

Right on cue for the sultry, sexy summer heat, local director Carlos Suarez debuts his latest short film, Naked Pool Party, a 31-minute comedy will be unveiled during a world-premiere red-carpet event next Wednesday, June 24, at Studio Movie Grill.

Shot mostly over three days at a private home in Arlington, the movie follows three best friends, Frankie (Trevor VanArsdale), Chris (Jorge Oldez), and Oscar (Anthony Ortega), who decide to step outside their comfort zones when they accept an invitation to a men-only pool party. With the possibility of hot sex driving their decision, the three find themselves in uncharted waters, especially when one of them encounters his ex, sprawled out on a lounge with a new man at his side.

The movie deftly juggles cringe-worthy comic situations and emotional moments of self-growth and — as promised by the film’s title — full-frontal nudity and cake for days. Suarez manages to cram a lot into a short runtime, and his threesome of stars charms from their first moments onscreen.

“My husband Jorge Jimenez, my best friend Blake Pichon and I all collaborated on the story,” Suarez says. “Jorge and I ultimately wrote the screenplay. We held several writing sessions at our home in Fort Worth, tossing around ideas and refining the story. The script went through several changes before we landed on the version audiences will get to see.”

The movie is loosely based on true events, but Suarez, Jimenez and Pichon dialed up the antics and drama. Casting, of course, was crucial to achieving the right tone.

“We had two people who we wanted for specific roles. Trevor VanArsdale and Jorge Oldez, who play Frankie and Chris respectively,” he says. “Oscar was the last of the fabulous trio to be cast, but in comes Anthony Ortega with his audition tape that just blew it out of the water.”

All other parts were cast via a video audition process. Suarez posted announcements on different social media pages and received many audition tapes.

Once the cast was set and the three-day pool shoot began, it was time for what can only be described as “the big reveal.”

“Surprisingly, the nudity was no big deal,” he says. “I feel people who committed to this project knew what we were getting into and came in ready to work. Believe me, there were plenty of laughs along the way, and sometimes we thought to ourselves, ‘Are we doing too much?’

“But our cast and crew members were all in,” he said. “Some members wore their towels; some wore modest coverings; some stayed in the pool, and others were fine as is. We made sure everyone was at their comfort level.”

One of the most refreshing aspects of the movie is the broad spectrum of men featured.
“Having diversity was absolutely a conscious decision,” Suarez says. “We wanted the cast to reflect the diversity we see in our community, not just in ethnicity, but also in age, body type and personal style. At the same time, we were always focused on finding the best person for each role. For example, the Latino roles of Fernando and Oscar.”

One key role, Fernando the bartender, fell into place rather serendipitously.

“On the very first day of shooting, the original cast actor backed out. This was within minutes of his call time,” Suarez explains. “We were sweating bullets trying to figure out what we were going to do, how we could change the story, or come back and reshoot after recasting the bartending role. But nope, none of that was going to be possible. Fernando is super important to Oscar’s arc, and there was no way we could get all our background actors to come back.

“Luckily, Frank Lacherre had confirmed himself to be an extra in the movie. He walked on set, and we knew it was him. I spoke to him, and although he was surprised, Frank jumped right in,” he adds. “He not only perfectly filled the part but exceeded our expectations with his comedic timing.”

Although the red-carpet premiere sold out within two weeks of being announced back in May (even a second time after moving to a larger auditorium), audiences can keep an eye out for Naked Pool Party when it hits the film festival circuit.

“Our community support has been incredible, and we are so grateful,” Suarez says.

The self-taught auteur has been making movies since high school and currently has two features and five shorts in his filmography, with plans to become a full-time director. He has several projects in the works, including a music video and a podcast, Back to the Prequel.

“I am currently in the early stages of writing our next short, too,” he says. “Think drag queens, male strippers and the cartel. So yes, audiences can expect another crazy queer adventure.”

To keep up with all things Suarez and Naked Pool Party, visit DarioStudios.com.