Awareness Film Festival - Under Water
A susceptible teenager, in trying to overcome the tumult of his home, drowns himself in alcohol, drugs, and parties. Based on a true story.
Interview with co-directors Bryan Fitzgerald and Valéry Lessard
Watch Under Water here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
“Under Water” was made to save someone’s life.
VALERY: I lost three close friends to drugs and alcohol at an early age, and was inspired to share this message, make a difference, and be a positive influence to other young adults.
BRYAN: The film is based on my real life experiences. I decided to make a positive change in this life. Aware that I was lucky to survive my struggles, I wanted to be a voice of inspiration and change for others.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
“Under Water” is a creative way of raising awareness of the reckless activities that young adults are immersed in all over the world. The film leaves the audience with a positive outcome; a feeling of hope.
“The story is a glimpse of real life struggles that are happening around us,” says Brielle, a high-school student who watched the film. It is “extremely relatable to the younger generation, and gives them hope that they too can turn their lives around and become an inspiration to others.”
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The themes that are dealt with are:
· Acceptance
· Family struggles
· Loneliness
· Peer pressure
· Substance abuse
· Recovery
· Positive choices
BRYAN: The character, Greg, is inspired directly from my life. I had not fully recovered from what I had experienced just a few years’ prior. Creating this film allowed me to turn the page to the next chapter of my life.
VALERY: I experienced peer pressure and acceptance issues, but I never gave in to influence – and yet I was still respected by my friends for my resilience. However, I dealt with the other themes second-hand: three of my close family friends had family struggles, did drugs at some point, and unfortunately each of them passed away at different times when I was younger. Witnessing their downfall marked me deeply and kept me from going down that path.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
BRYAN: In 2013, I shared a poem of my experiences with drugs and alcohol with Valéry. She read it and immediately encouraged me to develop the idea into a script.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We have been receiving incredible feedback. One high-school student who watched the film said that “this is exactly what goes on in my school.” Others have said that they wanted more, which we were happy to hear.
Here are a few testimonials:
· “Powerful message”
-Manuel Campos, College Student @ CUNY BMCC
· “Impactful… Community leaders, high-school principals, and others… show this film for the benefit of their youth”
-Merguerite J., Secretary Rotary Club of the Bronx
· “Power and sobering film… The fact that it is your personal story made it even more impactful”
-Lisa Sammataro, Rotary Club of Ridgewood AM
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
BRYAN: The feedback has confirmed our passions for creating the film, and revitalized our passion for spreading the word.
VALERY: Because much of the film is open to interpretation and questions are left unanswered, we’ve been receiving a range of ideas and possible interpretations, which have been very fun to hear. They all work and fit in, and many have surprised us completely. I’m actually looking forward to hearing more.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We are looking to reach new audiences, spark conversations, make a difference, and save a life.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Sales agents, distributors, film festival directors, and journalists.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Leave the audience with questions. Spark conversation. Be a positive influence. Be an inspiration to others. Show people that they are not alone in their struggles. There is a better way. Save a life. Raise awareness.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How do we save the life of someone who is struggling with alcohol and drug abuse?
How can we make clear the severe consequences of substance abuse before someone passes away?
How can we help young adults to not fall into peer pressure?
How can we teach young adults self-confidence and the feeling of acceptance?
Would you like to add anything else?
If you get a chance, check out this interesting article recently published in The New York Times. The article describes Preventure, which is a program that was “developed by Patricia Conrod, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Montreal” and explains the “The 4 Traits That Put Kids at Risk for Addiction.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/04/well/family/the-4-traits-that-put-kids-at-risk-for-addiction.html
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
BRYAN: I am developing the feature film script for “Under Water.” It takes a deeper look into the heart and soul of the character, magnifying his struggles, influences, highs, lows, and recovery. I am working on garnering investors and producers, to begin production in fall 2017.
VALERY: We are also working on a comedic web-series which takes place in a college and follows the downfall of a sorority president. Again, this touches base on similar themes as “Under Water,” but in a light-hearted and comedic way. Different audience, different approach.
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
_______________________________________________________________________________
Under Water
A susceptible teenager, in trying to overcome the tumult of his home, drowns himself in alcohol, drugs, and parties. Based on a true story.
Length: 15 minutes
Director: Bryan Fitzgerald and Valéry Lessard
Producer: Bryan Fitzgerald, Valéry Lessard, Monica Palmieri
Writer: Bryan Fitzgerald
About the writer, director and producer:
Bryan Fitzgerald, actor/writer/director lives in NYC and can be seen on-screen in television and film. www.bryanpmfitzgerald.com
Valéry Lessard, actor/writer/director lives in NYC and is originally from Montreal, Canada. www.valerylessard.com
Monica Palmieri, actor/producer/director, lives in NYC is originally from Guatemala. Monica is developing her ópera prima, which is set to film at the end of 2017. www.monicapalmieri.com
Key cast: Bryan Fitzgerald, Andrew Gelles, Valéry Lessard, Roger Casey, Nicholas Avenue, Yanil Molina.
Looking for:
· Sales agents: There are several inquiries from drug and alcohol agencies about purchasing our film for their organizations.
· Distributors: Educational markets, including high-schools and universities, are a focus of our distribution. Live presentations, which includes a film screening and talkback, are being scheduled at schools.
· Film festival directors: Those interested in screening “Under Water” at film festivals and expanding our audience are warmly welcomed. The creators will always do their best to attend and provide Q&A/interviews at the festival.
· Journalists / reviews: Watch and review “Under Water.” Seeking press on websites, blogs, and news outlets.
· Press agents: Connect us with news outlets, schools, and organizations across the country, for presentations (screening + talkback), interviews, raising awareness, and joining our cause.
Funders: Kickstarter + private funds
Made in association with: Sow the Seeds Productions
Release date: 9/24/16 at the REEL Recovery Film Festival