Comedian Allen Anders is either having a nervous breakdown or the best set of his life.

Interview with Director: Laura Moss

Watch Allen Anders: Live at the Comedy Castle (circa 1987) here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I saw Tony perform an amazing live version of the routine he does in the film--we were friends after meeting at SXSW earlier in 2017--and I was blown away. We immediately starting talking about filming the routine, and realized we had to reimagine it somewhat for film in order for the piece to retain the impact it has on a live audience. It was a rewarding challenge.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

If you're a fan of comedy or have ever experienced existential dread, this might be something you will identify with. Extra points if both!

Allen Anders: Live at the Comedy Castle (circa 1987) - Allen Anders in a moment of existential nausea while performing his 'Mondays' routine: photo credit Eythan Maidhof

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

In a lot of ways it's about the tension between having a greater spiritual awareness and being trapped in a physical body. It's in a lot of the language of the piece: knowing your insecurities and concerns are trivial and being unable to escape them anyway.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

In the stage performance there are ominous sound cues that help guide the audience through Allen's emotional journey, and we knew they wouldn't translate the same way on film. Tony's performance speaks for itself, but to help map his breakdown, we juxtapose his routine with shots of of the audience that evoke uneasy feelings.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Feedback has been really encouraging, and people really seem to be connecting with the meaning of the piece. It's a short, funny, weird, silly thing, but one viewer told us that the themes of the piece really jive with her understanding of her own Buddhist practice, and we think that's amazing.

Allen Anders: Live at the Comedy Castle (circa 1987) - The audience doesn't notice: photo credit Eythan Maidhof

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

We had our premiere at SXSW recently and experiencing the film in a packed theater was nerve-wracking and amazing. Hearing people laugh, and mapping where they went silent as the piece grew more disturbing punctuated by our own constant looping laugh track was a trip, and brought out colors of the piece I didn't know were there.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

Hoping to connect with all the weirdo out there that might respond to our film.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

We are looking for companies that might be interested in developing the Allen Anders character further, into a full length found-footage 1980s comedy special.

Allen Anders: Live at the Comedy Castle (circa 1987) - The film was shot on three broadcast-quality VHS camera: photo credit Eythan Maidhof

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

Tony has spoken about his work as comedy meeting poetry, and we're hoping that the audience feels the impact of both forms. We want to tickle peoples brains in every imaginable way.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Is there deeper meaning in our mundane daily rituals and repetitions?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

We are currently scripting the longer version of the Allen Anders special, playing with the most dynamic ways of visually externalizing Allen's mental state. We're hoping to collaborate with a company that understands the humor and strangeness of the original piece.

Interview:

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, 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

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Allen Anders - Live at the Comedy Castle (circa 1987)

Comedian Allen Anders is either having a nervous breakdown or the best set of his life.

Length: 7 minutes

Director: Laura Moss

Producer: Brendan O'Brien & Jacqueline Dow, The Bindery

Writer: Tony Grayson

About the writer, director and producer:

Laura Moss (director): Director/designer whose work has screened, MoMA, SXSW, Tribeca, Sundance, Berlin and Cannes. She was named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film.

Tony Grayson (writer/performer): Comedian/poet who regularly performs at the underground comedy show The Shithole in Chicago. His previous film, foundfootagexx100n.s.1, premiered in Midnight Shorts at SXSW 2017.

Brendan O'Brien (producer): A frequent collaborator with Laura Moss, their previous film, 'Fry Day', enjoyed a festival run that took them to SXSW, Tribeca, Palm Springs and Clermont-Ferrand.

Jacqueline Dow (producer): Jacqueline Dow is a writer/director/producer whose work has been featured at SXSW, the Porsche Awards, AICP, and the Directors Guild's New Directors Showcase.

Key cast: Tony Grayson

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Companies interested in developing the short into a half-hour comedy special.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allenanderslive

Twitter: @msmlauramoss

Instagram: @msmoss774

Other: www.allenanders.com

Funders: The Bindery, partially self-financed.

Made in association with: Bindery Films

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?: Victoria Texas Indie Film Festival, Chattanooga Film Festival, and hopefully more fests to come!