Cleveland International Film Festival / Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival 2020 – Fine, I'll Write My Own Damn Song
A 56-year-old mom sends a comedic rap music video message to her musician son when he invites other family members to collaborate on some of his music, but not her.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Actor Allyson Rice
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
My son, a musician and rap artist had invited his little sisters to sing the hook on one of his songs; and invited his dad (my ex) to play the cello on one of them. He doesn't really know me as a performer, because I left the performing world when he was 3. So I decided to write a funny rap song addressing that. The plan was originally just to write and record the song and play it when the family was together over Christmas. (His dad and stepmom, and little sisters had been joining us at my mom's for the previous 4 years, so I knew they'd all be there for it.)
But as I was writing it, it was so visual in my head. I decided it needed to be a full-blown music video. So I found a great location and called two of his friends from UC Santa Barbara because they had been shooting all of his music videos. They loved the song, thought the idea was hilarious and said they'd love to shoot it for me.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Everyone in the audience either has kids who have dismissed them as being "less than relevant," or a mom who they would never imagine doing something like this. So I think everyone can relate to the humor of it, no matter which generational side you fall on. Plus how many 56-year-old women are out there doing this? It's unexpected.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I think the previous answer addresses this. Aging out of (perceived) relevance, and doing something outside-the-box to shift that perception. I've also never written a song, much less a rap song. So there's an element of stepping outside your comfort zone to create something you never imagined you could do. That applies to everyone.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
It went from just the song idea, to the music video in my head as I wrote it. It was a big hit over the holidays. It was actually my son who suggested I think of something more I could do with it, other than just showing the family. That's when I started exploring film festivals, which wasn't the original intent at all. I didn't even know if festivals accepted music videos, that's how little I knew about it. It was just something I did for fun.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
It's been incredible. It had over 27,000 views on YouTube so far. The messages I've gotten from people on social media have been wonderful and supportive and unexpected. It really seemed to touch a nerve with women over the age of 40. That didn't surprise me, it was the younger people who've sent messages that surprised me. And I've been really surprised at the number of festivals where it's been selected as an Official Selection. Being in the audience with people seeing it for the first time on the big screen has been SO much fun.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It's completely surprised me. And the number of people who have asked when I'm writing another one has actually made me think about writing another one. Who woulda thunk!
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I'd love for more people to be able to find and watch it on YouTube. Especially women who are over 40, or 50, or 60. If it inspires even a few women to challenge what they think they can do, that would be amazing. We can all recreate ourselves whenever we choose to.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Probably talk show hosts like Kelly Clarkson (who's a mom) or Ellen Degeneres. I think they'd really get a kick out of it. And Reese Witherspoon, also a mom. A tweet from someone like that could make it really go viral. After that, journalists. They can get the word out there on a bigger scale. But if a producer wants to come on board with me to help raise money for the next one (or the next few...?) all the better! Because I doubt I can afford to self-fund the next one.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I'm not sure what to add that I haven't already talked about. I'm just all about creativity and inspiring that in others. It was acting/singing/dancing a lot of years ago, then writing, and multimedia art, among other things. I'm always working on something. So if it helps people tap into their own creative power in ways they haven't imagined yet, that would be awesome.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How many times have you had an idea about something you think you'd have fun creating, only to talk yourself out of it because you tell yourself you can't do it?
Would you like to add anything else?
The next time someone underestimates you, or tells you you can't do something... prove them wrong. And have a great time doing it.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Working on developing projects at Atomic Focus Entertainment (TV series and films). Working on selling my finished manuscript, as I move forward to writing the next one. And I've started working on lyrics for my next absurd rap song. I've also been talking with my friend Harry Lennix (The Black List) - we went to college together - about producing something with him. A modern film adaptation of a Shakespeare play. He's done one already and says he wants me to be the lead producer on his next one. Plus, I've been taking photography classes. I told my son that as soon as I learn how to use this new digital camera I bought that shoots 4k, that I have some fun ideas for music videos for him. He said, "I'm down!" :)
Interview: June 2020
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
Fine, I'll Write My Own Damn Song
A 56-year-old mom sends a comedic rap music video message to her musician son when he invites other family members to collaborate on some of his music, but not her.
Length: 3:42
Director: Allyson Rice
Producer: Allyson Rice
Writer: Allyson Rice
About the writer, director and producer:
ALLYSON RICE is currently the Producing/Development Associate at Atomic Focus Entertainment. This comes after several years producing and handling development at the Stage Network. She has spent the last several years working on a pilot, a film, and just completed her first novel The Key to Circus-Mom Highway. She is a proud graduate of Northwestern University.
Key cast: Allyson Rice
Looking for: journalists, film festival directors
Facebook: Allyson Rice
Twitter: @TheColorOfJoy
Instagram: @officialallysonrice, @allysonriceauthor
Hashtags used: #rappingmom #momraps #embarrassingmom #momhumor #momsover50
Website: allyson-wonderland.com; www.atomic-focus.com
Other: YouTube
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Available to watch now on YouTube. Also showing this fall at The Long Island International Film Festival, and the North Hollywood CineFEST, (still under consideration for several others).