2018 NYC Web Fest - @DATINGZOE
A digital comedy about not finding love.
Interview with Producer Lisa Cossrow
Watch @DATINGZOE on Facebook
Congratulations! Why did you make your webseries?
When I first read the script it felt so completely relatable. I grew up watching The L Word and Queer as Folk and had always wanted to produce a series about the lives of queer women in NYC. This was the perfect opportunity to create something very different with a community of other talented women.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this webseries?
To me, one of the strongest aspects of this series is that it strikes a chord with all of us who are growing up single in this digital age, not just within the queer community. Finding love through dating apps in a city like New York is becoming the norm, and this series captures the essence of the pain and joy that comes with that experience.
How do personal and universal themes work in your webseries?
Most people can relate to the awkwardness of online dating. We thought it was also important to tackle topics within the LGBTQ community such as sexual and gender identity, the complexity of labels and the intimacy of relationships between two women. Each of our episodes is inspired by real dating stories.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
We played with the idea of shooting with multiple cameras, but ultimately decided it was most important for us to maintain the organic feeling of Devon filming each date and have her POV only. We knew shooting with one camera would make our actors' jobs more difficult, but they rose to the challenge and pulled it off beautifully.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We've received so much positive feedback and have heard from many people wanting to see more. We're planning to start a crowdfunding campaign next year so that we can continue filming the rest of the season for our fans!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The lack of negative comments surprised us! Usually there are a few haters...but so far we've just had overwhelming love and support and we are so grateful.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We would love to reach more viewers and be able to share our characters with a larger online audience. The more fans we gain, the more likely it is that we can continue filming and telling Zoe and Devon's story.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this webseries’s message?
Our series would greatly benefit from sales agents, buyers, distributors, and journalists – really anyone who can help us move forward and continue to create.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this webseries to have?
We hope to inspire other members of the LGBTQ community to tell their stories and create original content. As a community, we are still struggling to normalize queer characters in the mainstream media, so it's important for us to continue telling our own unique stories.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this webseries?
Our fans always want to know if Devon (played by Olivia Jampol) will continue her role off-camera or if they will ever get to see her take center stage with Zoe (Rachel Paulson). We kept Devon off camera in the first few episodes to build suspense, but don't worry, we know what our fans want.
Would you like to add anything else?
Just that we are so grateful for everyone involved in the project! We were so lucky to find such an incredible cast and crew and we all had so much fun bringing @DATINGZOE to life.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I work as a location manager on the TV series Billions and continue producing LGBTQ content in my free time. Writer/creator Adi Riesenberg is currently producing and editing videos for People Magazine, and EP Rachel Trobman is the founder and CEO of a digital health company. We all have very different day jobs, but our passion project continues to bring us together.
Interview: October 2018
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. 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
@DATINGZOE
A digital comedy about not finding love.
Length: Varies (3 episodes)
Director: Jess Dunn
Producer: Lisa Cossrow/Rachel Trobman
Writer: Adi Riesenberg
About the writer, director and producer:
ADI RIESENBERG (writer): The series is inspired by her blog, which sought to gain the insight of unbiased internet strangers on failed dates. Adi is also the creator and editor.
JESS DUNN (director): Jess comes to the project with more than a dozen blockbuster feature film and series under her belt including Trainwreck, Jessica Jones, The Blacklist and The Following.
LISA COSSROW (producer): Lisa's credits include Billions, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Leftovers, The OA and Mr. Robot. Her vast industry connections and knowledge will continue to serve @DATINGZOE well before and during production.
Key cast: Rachel Paulson, Olivia Jampol, Atalanta Siegel, Jillian Vitko, Alina Carson, Kay Loren
Looking for: Sales Agents, buyers, distributors, journalists, film festival directors
Facebook: DatingZoe
Twitter: @datingzoe
Instagram: @datingzoe
Funders: Funded through crowdfunding on iFundWomen
Made in association with: STRIKEink Productions
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? All current episodes are available on GO TV: http://gomag.com/article/binge-watch-amazing-new-web-series-datingzoe-go-tv/