Stages
A straight-talking female comedian falls out with her play safe boyfriend when she behaves ‘inappropriately’ during a tedious business dinner.
Interview with Writer/Director Ellen Waddell
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Stages was lucky enough to receive funding through Creative England and BFI. Network’s iShorts program, a scheme for new and emerging film makers. I initially came up with the concept for Stages (which transitions between a stand up set and a flashback) because I liked the concept of a short film that switched being stand up comedy, and the experiences someone had that fueled the ideas for that stand up comedy.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Stages is about a stand up comedian called Gwen, and the dichotomy of being very confident on stage and yet being very vulnerable in real life - especially when it comes to how she is viewed in her relationship. I think that's a very human and common fear, the fear of being somehow unlovable. But it’s not all serious, it’s also super funny, and immature and silly. It simultaneously deals with intimacy in relationships, and the traumas of having an itchy fanny.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Personal would be that I (like the main character Gwen) do comedy/storytelling on stage, and I am often more confident expressing my feelings there, to a faceless audience, than to my nearest and dearest. I wanted to explore how that is not as scary, for me, compared to being vulnerable with family, friends and partners. But in terms of universal, I think we all struggle with being close to people, feeling accepted, and worry that the person we love the most is not going to turn around one day and go ‘you are the worst.’
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
Through Creative England I was put in touch with a script editor, so it got shorter, and tightened up a lot. I lost some jokes and characters, but I also learnt the valuable lesson on being concise with your themes, messages and getting in and getting out as quickly as possible.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Watching it with audiences, as a comedy, you get instant feedback if they laugh and people have done some great laughs whilst watching it. I have also made some people really cringe, which I also love. A lot of women have related to the character of Gwen, or just her honesty about relationships, how hard they are and how sometimes you want to kill and snuggle your partner at the same time.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not really. A couple of people have found the crudeness and language of it uncomfortable, or a bit close to the bone, but I did completely expect that. But I also think that’s part of filmmaking. You are going to make stuff people don’t like, and its better to have people love it, or hate it then find your work a bit ‘meh.’
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
People can email me if they would like to watch the film without going to a short film festival, as we have done the circuit now so there is not much chance of catching it there, and I want people to see it and enjoy it. Also anyone watching it who likes my style, and wants to employ me or talk to me about my other projects would be great.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Journalists writing about it, would be fab, or writing about female comedians more in general without the hook of the article being about their gender.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I want people to watch it, and to laugh, and it would be great if it changed any massive sexists minds about women not being funny. That would be a win.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am performing a new one person show called ‘It’s Better to Lie than to tell the Truth and end up alone in a Ditch Crying,’ in the UK and at 2017’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and working on a number of plays/live shows in Bristol and London as well as pitching comedy shorts, and pilots to companies.
Interview: November 2016
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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
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Film Title: Stages
A straight-talking female comedian falls out with her play safe boyfriend when she behaves ‘inappropriately’ during a tedious business dinner.
Length: 11:42 seconds
Director: Ellen Waddell
Producer: Emma Hanson
Writer: Ellen Waddell
About the writer, director and producer:
Ellen Waddell is a writer, director and performer who started out as a rock star in indie rock band Los Campesinos! Her first feature script is currently in development with Western Edge Productions.
Emma Hanson
Emma Hanson is a producer at Aardman Animations, having worked on the ‘Shaun the Sheep Movie’ and currently working on ‘Early Man.’
Key cast: Danielle Ward, Angus Dunican
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Funders: Creative England
Made in association with: BFI Network, Creative England