Outfest 2018 - The Dress You Have On
A surprising find challenges a couple to question the foundation of their relationship.
Interview with Director Courtney Hope Thérond
Watch The Dress You Have On here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
My co-writer, Emily Claire Utley, and I wanted to make a film that explored a co-dependent relationship in a way that we hadn't seen onscreen before. The story started loosely based on a couple Claire knows, but as we developed the characters of Jess and Libby, the story took on its own life.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This film invites the audience to feel what it's like to love someone deeply and still feel like it's crucial to walk away.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The film, at its core, is about a couple who have lost themselves in co-dependency. Though the circumstances are unique, the experience of losing your individual identity in a relationship is common. Sometimes, we stay in relationships because we're afraid we won't be able to find love elsewhere. Sometimes, we don't realize that the strength of the relationship comes at the cost of personal growth. This film explores the sacrifice it can take to embrace who you are or who you might be.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Claire and I wrote the original script together. Once the film was cast, I met with Dana Levinson (Jess) and Jessica Siqueiros (Libby) to discuss their characters and their relationship over a series of rehearsals. In doing this, the characters further evolved and we changed the ending of the film based on what the actors brought to the piece. It was truly a collaborative effort to tell the strongest story.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Our world premiere is this Friday at Outfest, and we're excited to see what the response will be!
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Everyone who worked on this film gave so much time to the film, and we would love for it to find a wide audience. We believe strongly in diverse stories and want to share this unique perspective with the world.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Distributions, film festival directors, journalists
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
The goal with this film has always been to start conversation about what it means to be in a relationship. We would also like to show another perspective on the transgender experience.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
After investing so much into a relationship, is it okay to walk away?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I recently completed production on a web series Comedic Timing about an all-women's improv class in a small town, and Claire is currently writing her first feature.
Interview: July 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
The Dress You Have On
A surprising find challenges a couple to question the foundation of their relationship.
Length: 13:26
Director: Courtney Hope Thérond
Producer: Christin Eve Cato
Writer: Emily Claire Utley & Courtney Hope Therond
About the writer, director and producer:
CLAIRE UTLEY has screened films at festivals including Outfest, Tallgrass, and St. Louis. She has an MFA in Creative Writing and is currently writing her first feature film.
COURTNEY HOPE THÉROND has screened films at festivals such as Outfest, Palm Springs, and Tallgrass. The screenplay for her digital series Between Us Girls was a finalist at the Austin Film Festival, and winner of Cinestory. Courtney directs narrative and branded content in Los Angeles.
Key cast: Dana Levinson, Jessica Siqueiros
Looking for: distributors, film festival directors, journalists
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheDressYouHaveOn
Twitter: @courtneytherond
Instagram: @courtneytherond