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Your new movie A Nice Lady - in a few words, what's it about?
While jogging through Central Park, a lonely artist meets a streetwise
girl and a soulful stranger. When she invites them to stay in her luxury
apartment, their influence sparks unexpected success with her art; but her
neuroses and fear-based thoughts cause her to spiral.
What were your sources of inspiration when writing
A Nice Lady, and is any
of it based on personal experiences?
I am a runner who on her central park runs, used to spy on the bohemian
crowd who frequented strawberry fields; selling art, jewelry and
performing Beatles medleys.
To put the last question
somewhat on its head, to what extent could you identify with
A Nice Lady's lead Gwen
... or any of the other characters for that matter?
I feel that as a woman we’re often asked to mute our stronger emotions, so
I can relate to both Gwen and Hilary.
Do talk
about the artworks used in your movie for a bit, and were they made
especially for the film, or was this already existing art? My cousin, Kate Quarfordt is a brilliant artist and her paintings were
exactly what I envisioned for Gwen’s artwork.
What can you tell us about your directorial approach to your story at
hand? In my head, there was clearly a world in which this scenario could happen;
the power dynamics and tension, etc. I wanted the actors to gain access to
the world and for the audience to buy into it. I had this in mind as I
directed the story.
Do talk about
A Nice Lady's key cast,
and why exactly these people? The trio of key castmembers really came together beautifully and their
blended chemistry helped to really carry the story to where it needed to
go. Molly Bernard is an extremely generous and invested actor. Her level
of experience and professionalism really inspired the other castmembers. Part of
A Nice Lady was shot in
Central Park - so what was it like filming there, and did you have any
permits or did you shoot guerrilla style? Like any other
production team, there was a moment we thought about the temptation of
guerrilla style shooting. However, Rachel Barclay (producer) is not only a
devout professional, but a highly skilled permit obtainer! She worked
tirelessly on her quest to find and befriend the proper Central Park
association contact. Hence, our conquest of ALL the necessary permits. A few words about
the shoot as such, and the on-set atmophere? In obtaining all the permits correctly, and securing the best options in
actual verified park locations, we were able to create the ideal
atmosphere for our shoot! The cast and crew (albeit extremely overheated
due to high temps) were able to take up space proudly and shoot with
confidence and artistry.
The $64-quuestion of course, where can
A Nice Lady be seen?
A Nice Lady is currently being screened at festivals.
To name a few;: It
premiered at The Chain Film Festival in NYC and Smodcastle in Atlantic
Highlands, NJ. It goes on a festival tour, which begins this weekend at
The Riverbend Film Festival in Goshen, Indiana, and it travels from there!
To name a few upcoming Festivals: Lake County Festival in Lake County,
Illinois, Atlanta Women’s Festival in Atlanta, GA, Raleigh, North Carolina
and Bournemouth International Film Festival in Dorset, UK, and
Love and
Hope International FIlm Festival in Barcelona, Spain. Eventually, A Nice Lady will find her streaming home as well, please keep in the loop by
following our socials.
Anything you can tell us about audience and critical reception of
A Nice Lady yet?
We’ve had some online interviews, reviews and Q & As in person. Please
follow us for more exciting news!
Any future projects you'd like to share? I’m finishing up a new feature film script and we’re prepping to go into
preproduction for it this winter.
What got you
into filmmaking in the first place, and did you receive any formal
training on the subject? My father is a filmmaker, so it’s a
family business. Yes, I have had training as a writer, actor and director.
What can you tell us about your
filmwork prior to A Nice Lady?
I have acted, written and produced films. Previous to this
short, I have directed some theatre, and have been an assistant director. A Nice Lady
is the first film I’ve directed.
How would you describe yourself as a director? I am fascinated by closely examining human behavior and the motivations
behind that behavior. I believe I direct from this standpoint, as well as
from the perspective of a writer and actor.
Filmmakers who inspire you?
Greta Gerwig, Alfred Hitchcock,
Jane Campion, Kathryn Bigelow, Ava DuVernay, Christopher Nolan, Steven
Soderbergh, David Lynch, Jim Jarmusch, Debra Granik and the list goes on.
First woman to win the Oscar for Best Director (The Hurt Locker).
Also gave us Point Break
(yes, the Keanu Reeves–Patrick Swayze surf-crime masterpiece). Range: immaculate.
Your favourite movies?
Short list, all genres: My Life as a Dog,
Juno,
Everything Everywhere
All at Once, Psycho,
All That Jazz, The Last Unicorn, Annie Hall,
The Piano, Wild at Heart,
Zero Dark Thirty, Frances Ha, Ladybird.
... and of course, films you really deplore?
Hmm, harder question, I can always find something I like in any movie. Your/your
movie's website, social media, whatever else?
https://www.pesticupsfilms.com/
https://www.instagram.com/anicelady_film/
Anything else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask? All
good here, thank you for your wonderful questions!!
Thanks for the interview! |
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