42 Seconds

Director - Steve Anderson

Steve has been directing, acting, and coaching actors for 35 years. Primarily a live theatre director for many years, he was hired to direct his first feature in 2014, LUCKY U RANCH (Random Media distribution). Steve also directed THE SECRET LIVES OF TEACHERS, which played in 24 festivals and garnered nine honors and awards and is now on IndieFlix and Shorts TV. Most recently, Steve directed ROOM 107, a short film about the dangers of the trafficking industry. As an actor, Steve has performed off-Broadway and in regional theatre and can soon be seen as “Adam Comley” in the international feature, THE WALL, opposite Vicky Krieps (PHANTOM THREAD, CORSAGE), directed by Philippe Van Leeuw.

Director Statement

I was a good student until my mother married a violent alcoholic who made our lives a living hell. The year he began living with us was the same year my grades took a nosedive. Teachers’ comments changed from “Great student” to “Something is terribly wrong.”

For years I thought my poor grades were the result of intellectual shortcomings. As it turned out, I was traumatized by the chaos at home and therefore unable to digest information. I was also easily triggered into violence myself, which got me into all kinds of trouble I couldn’t explain. The real me is a pacifist, even though I still have the impulse to punch a wall from time to time - like “Jake” in 42 SECONDS.

This early experience led me to develop empathy for those who are struggling and pushed me to engage in work that shares that empathy and ultimately, hope for a better day.

42 SECONDS is not a film about guns; it's a film about trauma and how important it is to remember that survivors of traumatic events like mass shootings suffer long after the event has passed. Please remember survivors and if you can, please hold a place for them in your heart.

Steve