Austin Film Festival - Jeremy and Margot Make a Baby
A gay man and his very close female friend set out to make a baby with no emotional strings attached.
Interview with Writer/Producer Clara Altimas
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Christopher Hayes and I have been friends for years. We studied acting together and we used to talk endlessly about the projects we wanted to make together. I think we both were finally like, okay, let's stop drinking wine and talking about making something and just make it. And this is what we made. That’s one reason why this film came to be.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I mean it’s a fairly relatable story, I think. It’s about friends who love each other but can’t necessarily be everything the other wants from them. It’s a film that speaks to the sadness and disappointment of falling in love with someone who isn’t in love with you. And also, it’s funny. It’s very true to life in that way - moment to moment we’re met with pangs of sadness that transition to laughs out loud.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Well, we deal with one route one might go down in a non conventional approach to becoming a parent, which is something Chris and I have talked about in a really far off way… like what if we did that? What would the emotional complications be? There’s also a small focus on this control we want to have on our own bodies and sexuality while simultaneously doing things we know will almost certainly hurt us. Margot wants to be casual but ultimately she cares. And she can’t hide from that in the end. Which is fine. It’s human. And I think in this ongoing female fight to be seen as strong it’s an important reminder that it’s okay to feel things.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
It started off in a place where I was making a lot of jokes and smart remarks... I wanted to say a lot about my opinions on things in a very short amount of time and a lot of those things weren’t serving the story at all. So, I stripped away a lot and what we were left with was a simple piece about two way more honest (and complex) versions of what I was aiming for from the beginning. That’s often the answer when I’m looking to improve my writing. Shut the characters up and let them just exist with each other. Similarly, in the editing process there were jokes we were attached to that we all had to let go of. It’s important not to be precious with this stuff. That was a big lesson for me over the course of development and production.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Laughs and tears! People have responded really well to the characters, their relationship and this story.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Yeah, people have been surprisingly moved by it. Obviously I get the emotional depth of where I’m coming from but I wasn’t sure it would translate. I am so pleased that it did on some level. I aim to write comedy about real characters with seriously real hearts so when I see that working I’m pretty excited.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We’re hoping to reach as many people as we can; from fans to financiers, we just want to get the film out there. I love that you're championing female voices and I'm so keen to be a part of the growing voice of female filmmakers.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We’re completely self funded and that’s been limiting, so we’re always happy to meet anyone willing to help us source funding, circulate buzz, etc. Having said that though, I’m at a point where I’m just really excited to collaborate and learn so the idea of meeting any and all of the above is very enticing.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I’d love for people to laugh and leave being like, yep - I get that. I want people to relate.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Is having a baby with your friend something you would consider... in some capacity? Why? Why not? At what point would it become a consideration?
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Clara's feature script BENSON is in pre production and set to begin shooting in Toronto in April 2017. Clara is currently finishing up a residency in the writer’s lab at the Canadian Film Centre.
Interview: October 2016
_______________________________________________________________________________
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. 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
_______________________________________________________________________________
Jeremy and Margot Make a Baby
A gay man and his very close female friend set out to make a baby with no emotional strings attached.
Length: 11 minutes.
Director: Daniel Beirne
Producer: Clara Altimas, Christopher Hayes, Ian Macmillan, Mark Waters
Writer: Clara Altimas
About the writer, director and producer:
Based in Toronto, director Dan Beirne studied film production at Concordia University in Montreal. Dan has a background in acting and improvisation, which informs his directing style.
Clara Altimas (writer of Jeremy and Margot Make a Baby) is a writer/director/actor living and working in Toronto. She has several scripts in development and is set to direct two shorts early next year (2017). Clara attributes her love of story to her extensive training in acting.
Key cast: Clara Altimas, Christopher Hayes
Looking for: Sales agents, buyers, distributors, journalists
Funders: Self funded
Made in association with: http://www.the-same-page.com
Release date: It premiered at Austin Film Festival in October 2016 and will be available online spring 2017.