Anthony Lucero chatted about writing and directing the movie “Paper Bag Plan,” which is being considered for the upcoming 2026 Academy Awards.
It stars Lance Kinsey, Cole Massie, Ravie Kapoor, Jillian Mercado, Chandra Russell, Diana Lee Inosanto, and Diana Torres.
“Paper Bag Plan,” tells the story of Oscar (played by Lance Kinsey), a devout father who trains his disabled child the art of bagging groceries in order for him to obtain his first job and eventually carve a path of independence.
How did “Paper Bag Plan” come about?
My mother has inspired countless aspects of my life, but her love and dedication to my disabled brother, Eddie, was the main inspiration behind this film. My brother passed away at 47, but doctors believed he would not make it past the age of two.
It just shows what love can do for the human spirit. Her love kept my brother alive. As far as the job as a bagger, during the pandemic, courtesy clerks in grocery stores were considered “Essential Workers” and were ordered back to their jobs.
At the time, I felt that these workers were admirable for risking their lives for a job that most likely paid them close to minimum wage.
What inspires you each day as a filmmaker?
My wife, Ke’alohi. She was the one person that believed in my screenplay and put her own money behind it to get “Paper Bag Plan” made.
She was the one person who tells me that my stories are important, heartfelt, funny and need to be seen. That is pretty good inspiration.
What did this screenplay teach you about yourself?
That a “lived experience” is one of the key ingredients to writing an authentic story. The audience can feel it, they can feel the authenticity as though these characters are real people in real situations.
For me, it just makes the storytelling more compelling if it comes from a real place.
How does it feel to be a filmmaker in the digital age? (Now with streaming, technology and social media being so prevalent)
It’s wonderful…and horrible. On one hand, an indie filmmaker can not only make a film with their smart phone, but we can also market it and stream it to audiences without an actual distributor.
The horrible part is millions upon millions of people are all competing for attention.
The other difficult aspect is social media has shortened our attention span, so we have to post and repost ad nauseam for our film to register with people.
What do your plans for the future include?
Keep on writing, and hopefully keep on directing. It all comes down finding that illusive funding. If I cannot find a funder, my wife and I will figure out a way to make it on our own.
We’ve already made two features completely self-funded, “Paper Bag Plan” and “East Side Sushi.”
What is your advice for young and emerging filmmakers?
There will always be the need to hear unique voices. So keep your life interesting, keep learning, keep traveling, keep meeting new people and listen to their stories.
Pay attention to how they speak and they words they use. It will be important when crafting characters.
Also, artificial intelligence does not have a soul. It mimics and copies. So don’t be intimidated by it.
What does the word success mean to you?
Awards are nice, but with “Paper Bag Plan,” the tears means success. I did not know the film would hit people on such an emotional level. I would cry while writing the screenplay and while editing the film.
When I see audience members sobbing, it’s incredibly satisfying to know that the emotions I felt while writing the film are able to transcend off the screen and into people’s souls.
Audiences that are inspired by “Paper Bag Plan” is by far the most satisfying award.
What would you like to say to our readers about “Paper Bag Plan”? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it).
That just because someone has a disability, it does not mean they will be any less of an employee. Filmmakers, business owners should hire more people with disabilities.
If you are the parent or the caregiver of someone with a disability, plan ahead.
Make sure there is a plan for someone to take care of your loved ones once you pass. I know it’s tough, it’s the elephant in the room, but it’s important.
