It takes a talented filmmaker and storyteller from Astoria, who knows that neighborhood’s special vibe, to transform a compelling script into a quirky, boundary-pushing, eight-minute comedy short. Filmed in Astoria Park with great views of The Robert F. Kennedy and Hell Gate Bridges, “GEEZERS” is a sad yet funny portrait of two lonely Queens seniors: Wayne, a rude, sharp-tongued and disgruntled Vietnam War vet and his feisty best friend and fellow vet, Yanni. The two old “geezers” don’t hold back on their unfiltered and expressive outbursts. After all, they have plenty to gripe about!

But the one thing they really look forward to is hanging out and schmoozing about everything.

“In gentrifying Queens, two polar opposite, terminally ill Vietnam vets and best friends, meet at their usual spot in Astoria Park to talk about their usual sh*t and make it clear to the changing world around them, that they’re not going down without a fight,” the film’s creator, Erik Potempa, noted.

QNS caught up with the filmmaker, script writer and actor, to talk about his latest short that just premiered on Omeleto. It stars Dan Lauria, who plays the crusty and extremely outspoken Wayne in “GEEZERS,” with gusto and raw emotion. Readers may remember Lauria as the dad on the comedy TV series, “The Wonder Years” (1988 – 1993).

Dan Lauria plays Wayne. Production still courtesy of Travis Hackett

If you’re not familiar, Omeleto is a prestigious streaming platform with “a distinction reserved for the next generation of cinematic visionaries.” A popular YouTube channel promoting award-winning shorts that consistently offers high-quality films that “have a reputation among viewers for delivering the best storytelling experience.”

Wayne’s got a bone to pick with everyone, while Yanni — played by Cedric Cannon — seems to be a bit more chill and optimistic, as he manages to cheer his buddy up and support him when Wayne feels hopeless after a scary diagnosis.

Cedric Cannon plays Yanni. Production still courtesy of Travis Hackett

“’GEEZERS’ is a heartfelt comedy about how, who we call family, has less to do with our differences and more to do with how we show up for each other when it matters most,” Potempa told QNS. “What’s more Astoria than that?”

Directed by another longtime Astoria resident, multifaceted artist of stage and film, James Kautz — who was hailed by The New York Times as “fearless,” and as “fiercely talented” by Time Out New York — “GEEZERS” is told with lots of honesty and humor…and leaves you craving more. You’ll get a hefty dose of spiky banter, laced with gruff and unapologetic, old-school New York-style attitude – courtesy of two loveable “old farts,” who don’t give a rat’s ass if you don’t like what they have to say or how they say it!

Getting old ain’t easy, especially when you’re dealing with a different reality and feeling ignored and unseen. Wayne finds himself at odds with the world, emotionally, temperamentally and often politically.

(Left to right) James Kautz, Cedric Cannon, Dan Lauria and Erik Potempa on set. Production still courtesy of Travis Hackett

Potempa and Kautz were excited to talk about “GEEZERS” and how it came about.

Production still courtesy of Travis Hackett

QNS: So, what inspired your film’s subject matter?

Erik Potempa: I was really close with my grandfather growing up. He was a World War II vet, so I spent a lot of time hanging out with him and his war buddies. It always left an impression on me how funny they were and how they would rip on each other mercilessly about the most taboo things: politics, love life, religion, their kids… and they rarely took it personal. It felt like it was their own idiosyncratic love language. Those were special times. And now, seeing how polarized our society has gotten, I felt like a story inspired by them could be a funny reminder of how opposites can not only get along, but also love each other unconditionally.

QNS: Share your interesting backstory with readers.

EP: Originally from Chicago, I moved to NYC in 2005 to attend the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre’s two-year acting conservatory, studied screenwriting at Jacob Krueger Studio, and worked as a personal trainer at Equinox Gym. At that time, Astoria was very affordable and a short commute. Also, it reminded me of my grandparents’ neighborhood in Chicago. And the food was — and is — amazing!

QNS: Why was “GEEZERS” shot in Astoria Park?

EP: I’ve trained (Equinox) clients there for years and often see older men from the neighborhood hanging out. In fact, while we were filming, these two guys that looked just like Wayne and Yanni sat down in lawn chairs right next to us and cracked open a couple beers…at 10 a.m. on a Tuesday! We had to film it there.

QNS: What was it like working with “Wayne” and “Yanni”?

EP: Dan Lauria and Cedric Cannon were amazing to work with. Obviously, they’re both very talented and experienced actors, who showed up on set prepared. But they’re also great guys with generous spirits. Dan is an amazing storyteller, and had us all laughing and captivated throughout, with his old Hollywood stories. Cedric is one of the nicest, most laid back and easy to get along with, actors that you’ll ever meet. They created a vibe on set that made everyone more comfortable.

QNS: How did your collaboration with James Kautz come about? What was it like working together?

EP: James and I have been friends for years. In addition to being admirers and supporters of each other’s work, we had similar relationships with our grandfathers, and he always laughs at my messed-up jokes! So, this felt like the perfect project to collaborate on. And working together on this project was pretty seamless. I mean, I was clear from the beginning that I wanted to take on more of a showrunner role, and he was cool with that. So, we basically collaborated throughout. I think it made the film better.

QNS: Describe your grandfather and your memories of him.

James Kautz: James Dascoli, my ornery, bullish, namesake grandfather, was a proud World War II vet. He was also my hero.

Jimmy D’s infamous brand of gruff masculinity, paired with an empathy-laced, no-nonsense type of humor, is something I’ll always cherish with fondness and a glorious twinge of cringe.

He’s who I thought of when Erik brought me the ‘GEEZERS’ script.

As collaborators in our 40s, Erik and I immediately connected over the brand of men we’d grown up with: their humor, their flaws, their heart and the bittersweet passing away of their sensibilities from this modern world.

QNS: Beyond Omeleto, where could your film go next?

EP: We just finished our festival run (Brooklyn, Soho International and Indie Street Film Festivals). So, Omeleto is now our online home. I do have a half-hour pilot written and a series pitch deck that we’re taking around town. The goal is to get ‘GEEZERS’ picked up as a half-hour comedy series.

QNS: What’s your favorite part of filmmaking?

EP: That’s a tough one. I love the solitary freedom of writing. But the thrill, and at times, chaos, of being on set and collaborating in the moment with multiple people simultaneously and witnessing your pages come to life in brilliant ways that you could’ve never predicted, is also amazing.

QNS: Tell readers about your other projects.

EP: My revenge comedy short, ‘Killer Workout,’ is currently streaming on Revry.TV. It uses horror, fantasy and violence as a vehicle to explore our struggles to find purpose and fit into society, through the eyes of a broke, female personal trainer working for the wealthiest of NYC. It was a finalist for Sundance Episodic Lab.

My pilot script for my irreverent comedy, ‘Pittski’s Gym,’ was named Top 5 TV Pilots of 2022 by Save the Cat!® Screenplay Challenge. And my pitch for my half-hour irreverent comedy, ‘Old Farts,’ was a finalist in the Austin Film Festival pitch competition.

My micro-series, ‘The Sweat Shop,’ is a mockumentary about a misfit gym staff in Queens struggling to deal with their new owner, a tyrannical trust fund kid, who’s on a mission to squeeze every ounce of productivity out of those ‘dogs.’ It’s showing next at The North Film Festival in Manhattan, in June.

We’re in pre-production for a short that my wife wrote, about a quirky couple dealing with abortion in their own way.

QNS: Why are you passionate about what you do?

EP: I love exploring what it means to be a human. Why are we here? What the hell are we doing? What’s the point? It’s endlessly fascinating and confounding, ridiculous and hilarious, brutal and inspiring…and it makes me feel connected.

QNS: What do you like to do for fun?

EP: I try to be present and have fun with everything that I do. I’m big into impromptu living room dance parties with my wife. My favorite pastime is chewing on edibles with my wife, and dancing until my knees give out!

“‘GEEZERS’ is, on the surface, a bit of an odd couple comedy about Wayne and Yanni — two lifelong best friends decrying the changing times,” Kautz noted.

“We watch, as they spend an afternoon in Astoria Park, debating the merits of ‘On the Waterfront’ and Ronald Reagan’s presidency (both favorites of Wayne’s), only to be disrupted by a rumble with some teenage bullies. It’s all funny as hell, in my opinion. But under the crude surface is a genuinely heartfelt story about mortality and who we call family when it matters most.”

“I feel like this practice of showing up for one another is vital if we want to repair our fractured culture,” Pompeta added.