That’s me in costume as Bernhardt, the grandfather, on set of the short film “Mouse”, which was shot in Bushwick last weekend. “Mouse” is a fairy tale with adult themes. Bernhardt, the grandfather, is a woodsman who lives in a secluded hut with his granddaughter Renate, who discovers a mouse/angel under the bed.

As Bernhardt I was required to speak with a thick German accent, which comes easy to me having grown up in Berlin. I also got to wear this jaunty hat, much like the prized Tiroler hat Ed acquired in Austria years ago.

Here I am in bed with Christopher Gambino, who plays Renate. Bernhardt is a kind, loving, protective Grandfather. Mostly. He also does some very wrong things.

Like I said, this is a fairy tale with adult themes. Including sexual abuse. Gender fluidity. Nazis.

Yes, “the war” and “the Nazis” stand in for what in a classic fairy tale would have been the wolf in the woods.

Christopher looks towards the crew.

Bella Thorpe-Woods as the angel/mouse being made-up by Ashley Pignataro.

Director of photography Beth Parisi and writer/director Jode Sparks. Jode wrote “Mouse” creating the roles of Renate and the angel/mouse specifically for Christopher and Bella. The role of the grandfather was cast through a traditional casting and submission and audition process that eventually led to me being cast.

I had a lovely time with the motley crew of 20something artisans.

Here is another look of me in make-up as Bernhardt, wrinkles highlighted, dark shadows under my eyes, and my woodsman’s nose reddened like Rudolph. I mention Rudolph since I am posed in front of a Peanuts Xmas shower curtain, and so this final pic also serves as another seasons’s greetings.