Awareness Film Festival - Recalculating
Two friends having fun on a Saturday night run into trouble when their GPS goes haywire from a contact high.
Interview with Writer/Director Diane Fredel-Weis
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! I made “Recalculating” because I was at a crossroads in my life and needed to do something positive and productive. The idea came to me when a friend and I were on our way to a Fleetwood Mac concert and using the GPS to get there. We joked “How can we go to a Fleetwood Mac concert without a joint?” Bam! I thought, “What if we were smoking and the GPS got a contact high?”
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Because it’s funny. The cast Zack Pearlman, Peter Gilroy, Brina Palencia and the inimitable Cloris Leachman -- are all hysterical! The production value is feature-worthy and there are a few surprises.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I think it’s basically friends getting through a crisis together. It’s also about how much we rely on technology to help solve our problems that when it creates problems for us “we are lost.”
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
The film turned out incredibly close to the idea I initially came up with. However, by collaborating with a team of talented and passionate people, including cast and crew, it evolved into the very best version of the idea.
I wrote the script with Jodi Miller, who is a hilarious comedian. We focused on the story, and character development and made sure there was momentum. Comedies that work best I believe are when the humor comes from the character's reactions and responses to predicaments and conflict.
I had an amazing mentor in director John Landis who encouraged me to direct. His guidance and support were invaluable. Having an awesome crew led by the brilliant producer Gabby Revilla- Lugo who knows how to make a low budget film look like a million bucks, so to speak, made the pages of the script come to life. She really took the time to understand my vision so she could execute it to the best of her ability.
David Finch, my right hand, was indispensable all the way through from storyboard to post- production. The cast are all experienced in comedy and are innately funny. I was open to them ad libbing. In the final cut, there are ad libbed lines but they all go to supporting and progressing the story or defining their characters. During the edit, we worked to make sure the story stayed simple and as close to the script as possible. Craig Murray, a good friend, was incredibly supportive in helping us finish the film at his company, mOcean, and why it looks so polished.
The icing on the cake was my son coming up with the title of the film. I was very lucky to have had such an amazing team and value every single person’s contribution -- from my script supervisor to composer to editor -- to making “Recalculating” an idea come true.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Lots of laughs which is what you want when you make a comedy. Audience members and filmmakers alike come up to us after screenings to tell us how much they enjoyed “Recalculating.” Many people ask if we’re going to make the short a feature, which is a nice compliment.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Knowing we made a film that connects with people is a thrill. I’d like to continue to create content that makes people smile and laugh.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
That people will come see “Recalculating” at film festivals. They are welcome to visit recalculatingfilm.com for more info.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
A great review couldn’t hurt and an agent or distributor to help us find a home for “Recalculating” online after our film fest run.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Laughs, of course, and while it is a short story, for audiences to find it engaging and satisfying.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Should operating a GPS while smoking weed be legal. ; )
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I’m currently producing a Halloween video and developing a web series with Assoc. Producer David Finch through Laugh More Entertainment.
Interview: October 2016
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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Recalculating
Two friends having fun on a Saturday night run into trouble when their GPS goes haywire from a contact high.
Length:
6 minutes, 30 seconds
Director:
Diane Fredel-Weis
Writers
Diane Fredel-Weis and Jodi Miller
Producer:
Gabby Revilla-Lugo
Writer/Director
Diane Fredel-Weis
“Recalculating” marks Diane’s film directing debut. She’s an award-winning writer and producer and is a former creative marketing executive for The Walt Disney Co. You can find Diane time to time performing stand-up comedy in L.A.
Producer
Gabby Revilla-Lugo
Gabby is the founder of Revek Entertainment. In 2013, she produced Damien Chazelle's Whiplash, which won the Sundance Jury Selection Short Film Award. Recently, she Exec. Produced and line produced Jennifer Garner's new film, The Tribes of Palos Verdes.
Where can I watch it in the next month?
Oct. 16 at the NYC Cannabis Film Festival in Brooklyn Oct. 26 at the Savannah Film Festival
Nov. 12 at the Chicago Comedy Film Festival