Written by Jose Romero
When you look at the Tribeca Film Festival lineup, you expect to see seasoned filmmakers, industry veterans, and established voices. What you might not expect is a recent graduate from NYU Tisch Drama’s Lee Strasberg Studio, premiering a short film she not only wrote but also starred in and produced. That’s exactly what my friend and former classmate Emma Parks accomplished with Dirty Towel.
Emma’s journey is a testament to what can happen when talent meets persistence, but also when someone decides not to wait for permission. She told me early in our conversation, “The best way to move forward is to be your biggest cheerleader,” something her parents instilled in her since childhood. “Make things you want to be in. Don’t wait for others.” That attitude, combined with years of training at LSTFI, propelled her from scribbling down an idea freshman year to walking the red carpet at Tribeca just a few years later.
Developing Dirty Towel
In this coming-of-age comedic drama, Emma stars as a teenage girl named Charlie, who grapples with feelings of shame and guilt after having sex for the first time. The film is a thoughtful exploration of generational shame, societal expectations, sexual empowerment, and self-worth.
The spark for Dirty Towel came from a very real and very formative moment. A family friend once told Emma a story about an event that happened with her mother when she was just six years old, which later became the film’s opening scene between Laura Coover (Elizabeth) and Laurel Nial (Young Charlie). It stuck with her. “It was such an impactful thing to hear at that age, and it really stayed with me. During freshman year, that’s when the idea hit me.” For a while, it remained just that—an idea. But by junior year, Emma decided it was time to take action. She shared it with her cousin and creative partner, Callie Carpinteri, a University of Florida film graduate with the fearless attitude Emma needed: If you wanna do something, you just have to do it.
That conversation was the beginning of everything. Together, Emma and Callie wrote the script over the course of four months, workshopping scenes and reading dialogue out loud as they went. They wanted to tell a female-centric story that touched on themes of sex, shame, and humanity in a way that felt both honest and thought-provoking. “We wanted to tell stories that make people think and touch people’s humanity,” Emma said. “The idea of sex and shame isn’t always talked about, but it’s still something people feel deeply.”
From Script to Screen
By the summer after junior year, the script was finished and crowdfunding was underway. Friends pitched in, collaborators gathered, and soon they were filming with a 75% female crew—100% female above the line. Emma knew she would star, and Callie would direct, but producing wasn’t originally part of the plan. “We ended up producing out of necessity. We believed in the project with every bone in our bodies. Who better to push it than the people who created it?” Callie handled much of the practical work like navigating insurance and pricing out logistics, while Emma balanced her dual role as writer and actor. “When we got to set, Callie told me, ‘Just be the actor. Don’t worry about anything else.’ That separation really helped.”
As an actor, Emma poured herself into the role, leaning heavily on the Strasberg training that had been the foundation of her time at NYU. “Relaxation is huge, especially on camera. You want your body to be in an open state, willing to absorb what the other person is giving you.” For one of the film’s most emotionally charged scenes, set in a laundromat, she used substitution and sense memory: “It was visceral. Life was flashing before my eyes, going from one memory to another. That’s what made it feel truthful.” And with that, I agree—you could see every moment in Charlie’s life flashing before her, with so many textures, emotions, and layers.
The Road to Tribeca
The response to Dirty Towel has been overwhelming. Viewers told Emma that they grew up with similar feelings of shame, that the film captured something unspoken but deeply familiar. And while she never expected it to go as far as it did, the festival run proved what happens when you trust your instincts. “It’s hard as a woman to be taken seriously by men in this industry,” she said. “But this project gave me a sense of control, like I had something that was really mine.”
When Dirty Towel was accepted into Tribeca, Emma was stunned. “We submitted with the goal of premiering at one of the big five festivals. Tribeca was the dream. A couple of months later, we got the email—has this premiered anywhere?—and then they called to say they loved it. I was dying to share the news.” In June, she found herself at a two-week festival surrounded by established filmmakers, walking a red carpet, and watching her film screen at an AMC theater alongside other shorts exploring sex, bodies, and vulnerability. “It was surreal. But also motivating—like, maybe I really do belong in these rooms.”
Emma is quick to point out that the journey wasn’t hers alone. “This film would not be where it is without Callie. It’s amazing to find someone who will bring your art to life and be there as a support system when the industry feels tough.”
What’s Next: The Short Game
Since Dirty Towel, Emma has kept the momentum going. She stars in The Short Game, which just had its limited release in AMC theaters in September, and she describes it as her first “legit SAG film.” Originally cast in a smaller role, she was asked to step into a much bigger part when another actor had to drop out. With only days to prepare, Emma leaned on her Strasberg training once again: “I trusted my instincts and my training. I had to be alive in the moment. That experience confirmed for me—this is what I want to do.” Moreover, The Short Game was shot a month before Dirty Towel, which Emma describes not only as “the best summer so far,” but also the perfect opportunity for her to learn the intricacies of running a set. In essence, The Short Game was also a preparation for Emma to step into the role of producer in Dirty Towel.
Advice for Aspiring Actors
So what advice does she have for other actors and recent grads? “Create your own work. And believe in yourself more than anyone. Find a community to create art with—that will go a long way. Humans respond to human stories. If you care, someone else will feel it too.”
Emma’s journey from a classroom idea to a Tribeca premiere is proof of what’s possible when you follow your gut and stay persistent. And for her, it’s only the beginning, as Callie and she are currently working on developing the feature version of Dirty Towel, which promises more laughs, insightful moments, and great acting.
If you want to keep up with Emma’s journey, follow her on her Instagram: @emmalparks_ and the short film’s account @dirtytowelmovie. Finally, click here to watch Dirty Towel!