Citizen Jane Film Festival 2018 - Play Pretend
A young girl must combat the racial discrimination she faces at school armed only with her stuffed teddy bear.
Interview with Writer/Director Madeline Dimayuga
Why did you make your film?
This film was made during my senior year in the Radio-Television-Film program at the University of Texas at Austin. At first, the film's premise was conceived for a class I was taking in my junior year; but then I realized how passionate I was about the idea and proposed the project to the department to be made the following year outside my regularly enrolled classes. It's a story that I felt was, at its core, universal to any child who has felt they were an outsider growing up.
In my case (and as is the case of the main character of the film), it was because I was the only Asian-American among my peers in elementary school. Just like the main character in the story, I was often bullied for simply being who I was, and looking the way I did. I wanted to create a story that gave those who had a similar experience some visibility and validity for their social anxiety that might have followed them into adulthood.
I also wanted to reassure young children who may see the film (and relate to the main character) that it does get better with time. There is always going to be someone out there on your side - no matter how many people turn you away, there will always be that one person who can see you for you.
Why should I watch this film?
Children’s stories that are both heartbreaking and heartwarming are a rarity nowadays. I like to think that my production team and myself created an honest narrative that shows exactly what any child of color might go through if they are bullied, but also reveals that there is light at the end of the emotional tunnel. I want people to see this film and realize that we can do better for the next generation when it comes to acceptance, and foster within them a fierce intolerance for racial discrimination.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
As far as personal themes go, I pretty much pulled direct moments of my childhood and put them into this script. There are many real microaggressions I felt as a child that I still feel as an adult because I am a minority racially. Many of those who come from a minority background that have seen the film are all too familiar with these: "Your English is so good; Where are you really from?" These, in addition to the less subtle examples of discrimination in the film echo across several stories of minority children.
Universally, I think that anyone who has felt truly isolated and ousted by their peers can relate to this film. All it takes as children is one look at your face, your clothes, your walk; and in that small but crucial moment, your social status in determined for what seems like forever. The trick to getting out of your personal social hell is to find someone else who is just as lonely as you. Once you do, it is miraculous how quickly that loneliness can dissipate.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The first draft of the script included no dialogue at all; that was the requirement of the class I was enrolled in at the time that I wrote it. I decided to change that in a minimal way when it came to the final drafts because the words people say make more of an emotional impact that what they don't in my opinion. Especially when they are secretly barb-wired. In regards to the plot, not much really changed. The only thing I would have liked to keep if we had had the time to shoot it would be more of a montage of the sudden friendship between Grace and her imaginary friend Bruce. The sequences that include him in his animation form are so cute!
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback I've gotten for the film has been mostly positive. People who identified themselves in Grace felt that their own struggle during childhood was seen and addressed in such a way that was truthful and nicely resolved. One piece of slightly negative feedback I've gotten is that sometimes the audience is unclear on whether the other children can see Grace's imaginary friend, Bruce.
There is one instance where her classmates do seem to see him, but that moment was meant to be taking place inside Grace's head. I will say that if the audience listens a little closely to what the children say in the moments following these instances, they do not blame a bear for the disturbances; they blame Grace. Just goes to show you what can be revealed when we listen to children a little better, doesn't it?
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Most of the feedback has really just been reassuring. I felt that the people who were the most affected by the film so far felt somewhat comforted after watching it, and those who didn't oftentimes find that they've learned something about our society that they had not really taken the time to really reflect on. More than anything, I've felt encouraged that this story was the right one to tell by all of these reactions.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film be more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I really want this film to become more accessible to people that teach, or in some way have children involved in their profession. I've moved on from this narrative in my more recent projects, but I always felt that this film could help educators show kids that discrimination isn't always as obvious as they make it to seem on the news or online. It would be a dream to have this film included in some kind of anti-bullying programming for a social campaign much like schools bring in programs that address sexual education.
Who do you need to come on board to amplify this film’s message?
I would really appreciate distributors and film festival directors at this point just to give the short more professional credibility.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I want adults to realize that racial discrimination is strongly felt no matter how polite it might be delivered, and I want children to know why it's important to not judge someone simply because they do not look like you. Overall, I want people to take away a sense of emotional education once they have seen the film.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What does discrimination look like? Does discrimination have to be obvious to have its effects be felt?
Would you like to add anything else?
One thing that I love to mention about the film production is the fact that our team was comprised of mainly women. From pre-production to post, there was always a woman spear-heading her own department (save for our wonderful editor, Michael). This contributed to the set being the most communicative and supportive environment that I ever experienced during my time in film school.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Many of the people involved in this project are now embarking on a new dramatic web series I developed entitled, "Butterbean". The story follows an evening of bonding between a young woman and her niece as they retrace their family's romantic history to rediscover the meaning of true love. This project really hits close to home since our focus is how divorce can really complicate one's view on love, especially when it happens during one's childhood. We are just about finished with principal photography and will be premiering the series in February 2019. You can check out the project and its progress at fb.me/butterbeanseries.
Interview: November 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
Play Pretend
A young girl must combat the racial discrimination she faces at school armed only with her stuffed teddy bear.
Length: TRT 14:12
Who is being interviewed for this article: Madeline Dimayuga, Director
Director: Madeline Dimayuga
Producer: Paige Smith
Writer: Madeline Dimayuga
About the writer, director and producer:
● Madeline Dimayuga is an award winning writer, director and producer who has made her home in Austin, Texas. She has served the role of producer from UT Austin MFA graduate pre-thesis films to independent Texan films; as well as successful web series such as "Mr. Nice Girls" (2018) which was selected for the Independent Pilot Competition for the 14th Annual New York Television Festival. She has also been awarded for her work as a writer and director on her own short form projects, "Play Pretend" (2017), and "Love Thy Neighbor" (2018)
● Originally from Round Rock, Paige Smith has made her home in central Texas, working on film sets as well as in broadcast television. She has also found success as a freelance music video producer and has had her projects screened at such festivals as Marfa Film Festival, Los Angeles Independent Film Festival, Knockout Film Festival, Austin Music Video Festival, along with others. Currently, Paige works for Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles, California.
Key Cast: Lucky Cantu, Jack Dullnig, Ingrid Rodriguez, Charlotte Rose, and Nancy Shaer
Looking For: Distributors and Film Festival Directors
Facebook: fb.me/playpretendmovie
Hashtags you use: #playpretend #representasian #femalefilmmaking
Where was this filmed: Austin, Texas
Funders: Indiegogo Sponsors; most notably Gilda & Patrick Dimayuga, Jiji Arcilla, Sandra Honaker, and Darlene Khosrowpour
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month: Screened at the Citizen Jane Film Festival, November 4th 2018.