Justice Vigilante: An Interview with Filmmaker Roe Moore

Some films grab you instantly. That’s exactly what happened when I saw the opening moments of short, Undercover Wrestler. I didn’t even need to watch the full screener to know—it had me hooked within seconds. Like hearing the first few notes of a song that you instantly love, this film’s humor landed perfectly, making me crack up right from the start.

“That’s exactly what we wanted!” director Roe Moore (pictured) exclaims when I tell her this.

Moore, a filmmaker originally from Denver and based in Los Angeles, has been in the entertainment industry for over 20 years. While she’s worn many hats—including that of a stand-up comedian and improv artist—she’s stepping into the director’s chair. Undercover Wrestler marks an exciting step in her filmmaking career.

Best known for directing the award-winning short films “How We Met,” “Drive to Airport,” and theatre play “Recess” at Brisk Fest, Roe’s expertise extends to prominent department head roles like associate director and script supervisor for HBO Max’s “Fresh Prince of Bel Air Reunion,” VH1’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Disney+’s “Earth To Ned,” and CW’s “Masters of Illusion.” A seasoned standup comedian and graduate of Second City’s Conservatory program, Roe infuses her work with irresistible humor.

A Comedic Vision Rooted in Experience

“I’m a graduate of Second City,” Moore explains. For those of you unaware, Second City Comedy (Chicago based) is the breeding ground and former home of great artists like John Belusi, Dan Akyroyd, Alan Arkin, Steve Carell, and so many others. “Comedy has always been my thing. I love making people laugh, and I think now, more than ever, we need that.”

She’s not alone in this venture. Undercover Wrestler stars Joseph Daly, an Austin-based actor who also wrote the script. The short film originated as a sketch he developed in a writing class, revolving around a vigilante who fights for the little guy, ensuring that justice—no matter how absurd—prevails.

“This was Joseph’s brainchild,” Moore says. “He wanted to create a character who steps in when small injustices happen—things that most people would just let go. It’s over-the-top, but that’s what makes it work.”

I ask Moore how she first connected with Daly.

“This short is actually one of five that I did with a group called Comedy Whoops, she explains. “They’re a sketch team based at Pack Theater in LA, which is a hub for improv and comedy writing. They perform regularly, and I reached out to them because I was looking for projects to direct.” Moore sifted through 45 potential scripts before choosing five to bring to life. Undercover Wrestler made the cut.

The Challenges of Shooting a Stunt-Heavy Comedy

Filming took place over Cinco de Mayo weekend in 2023, a whirlwind production filled with carefully choreographed fight sequences.

“We shot with three cameras,” Moore explains. “That meant planning every angle meticulously—close-ups on Undercover Wrestler, shots of Leonard, and of course, making sure we captured all the stunts properly.”

Since Daly wasn’t stunt-trained, Moore brought in Ryan B., an experienced stunt actor, to play Leonard. She also collaborated with stunt coordinator Anne Westcott to choreograph the action sequences, ensuring they were both hilarious and technically solid. “There’s this big final move—a dramatic slam from the shoulders down to the floor,” Moore says. “That took rehearsals to get right.”The setting also played a crucial role.

“We used a fake diner instead of a real one,” she explains. “That gave us complete control over the space—we could move tables, adjust lighting, and position the cameras exactly where we needed them.”

While Undercover Wrestler is undeniably a comedy, its themes raise deeper questions about justice and overreaction.

“The whole premise is this guy taking extreme action over something ridiculously minor,” I point out. “But is it even a crime?”

Moore laughs. “Exactly! Technically, no. But it makes you wonder—when someone goes to such an extreme, does it actually deter bad behavior? Is there some twisted logic to it?”

The discussion takes a turn toward satire, reflecting on the current political climate.

“It’s almost a microcosm of society,” I suggest. “We have this moralistic stance being presented to us, yet at the same time, a total lack of morals in other areas. It’s a clash.”

Moore nods. “That’s something we definitely want to explore more in the feature-length version.”A feature film? I hadn’t realized that was in the pipeline.

“Yes, we’re developing a full-length version,” Moore confirms. “Right now, it’s in the conceptual stage. We’re using the short to attract investors and studios.”

The feature will delve deeper into Undercover Wrestler’s backstory, revealing that he suffers from amnesia.

“He doesn’t remember that he used to be a cop handling major crimes,” Moore explains. “So now, in his mind, stopping small, everyday infractions is just as important. That’s where the humor comes in—he’s treating minor offenses like they’re the biggest crimes in the world.”

Given the cost of stunts, locations, and production, Moore expects the project to take a few years.

“We want to do it right,” she says. “That means getting the costumes perfect, making sure the action sequences work, and—most importantly—nailing the story.”

While the feature film is still in development, Undercover Wrestler is currently making its rounds on the festival circuit.

“We’ll be screening at the Comedy Film Festival at the end of April,” in Austin, Moore says. “That’s one of our last festivals before we look at online distribution.”

After that, the film may find a home on platforms like Amaleto, WeShortsTV, or eventually Vimeo and YouTube. As we wrap up, Moore shares another exciting project on the horizon.

“We just finished shooting Walkies,” she says. “It’s completely different—about a girl managing her anxiety and depression with the help of a robotic dog.”

Fittingly, this project is a collaboration with Tombot Robotics developed by Jim Henson’s team, bringing another unique vision to life.

With her mix of sharp humor, inventive storytelling, and a knack for blending action with comedy, Moore is definitely a filmmaker to watch. Undercover Wrestler may have started as a short, but its story—and its punchlines—are far from over.