Rhode Island International Film Festival - Jamie
Jamie, a quiet loner in his early twenties, lives in South London. Shy and partially out of the closet, he's clumsily looking for his first relationship. One Sunday, he meets Ben and the two spend the afternoon together.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Christopher Manning
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
In Jamie, I wanted to explore the vulnerability we feel when we expose ourselves to others. For several years, I had been developing stories about relationships and romantic encounters between men. I was drawn to the idea of two strangers conversing, opening up to each other. Jamie is the result.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Jamie treads in familiar territory for all of us. Many who have seen the film have said that it got them thinking about their own first romantic experiences. For those who have ever felt different, been bullied or left out, the story will hit even closer to home.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Jamie explores many universal themes through a personal story: intimacy, coming of age, difficult family relationships, solitude and first romantic encounters. There's something for you, if you're honest with yourself.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
The first drafts of Jamie were about two strangers who meet on a London train and share a few personal stories before their different destinations force them to part. Although we had a locked shooting draft going into production, I had to make dramatic changes to the script during the shoot because of complications with the train that we had permission to film on.
I remember very vividly sitting with the line producer, AD and cinematographer on the night before the first day of shooting; the atmosphere was like a graveyard because we had just learned that it was going to be impossible to shoot on the train. I just told myself that if Jamie and Ben couldn’t stay on the train, then I would have to get them off it and walk them through central London. That for me was proof that the story of their encounter was embedded in me. Otherwise, it would not have worked to adapt the scenario and rewrite the script so quickly. Looking back at it now, it is remarkable how much changed on location.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
On the whole, the feedback has been very positive. Many people have expressed interest in seeing a feature, which is an exciting reaction. I have also been approached by people who were quite moved, relaying to me how much they identify with the central character. At the end of the day, Jamie is a very sensitive, subtle film and I don’t expect everyone to understand what it is that I was trying to do with it. Like anything else, some people will relate and understand and others will not. What's most important is that people feel something when they watch the film. At Flicker's RIFF, we were thrilled with the audience's reaction; people expressed with great enthusiasm what they thought and felt about the film.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not particularly. During the edit I sought the opinion of many different collaborators, so I have been familiar with a variety of different reactions to Jamie for a while.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would like to grow Jamie's audience.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Right now, we are trying to promote the film and to get it seen by the widest possible audience. We are also looking at ways to distribute the film after its festival run. Any interested sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival programmers and journalists should get in touch.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like audiences to walk away feeling moved.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I can't answer that question here without giving away the ending!
What are you developing or directing next?
I have a narrative fiction short film in development that I'll hopefully be shooting in Paris next year. I have also been developing a feature about Jamie's first relationship.
Interview: August 2016
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Jamie
Jamie, a quiet loner in his early twenties, lives in South London. Shy and partially out of the closet, he's clumsily looking for his first relationship. One Sunday, he meets Ben and the two spend the afternoon together.
Length: 9 mins 2 seconds
Director: Christopher Manning
Producer: Christopher Manning
Writer: Christopher Manning
About the writer, director and producer:
Christopher Manning earned a BA from Columbia University in New York, where he studied History and Film before working as a Script Reader, Production Coordinator and Assistant Director on various fiction and documentary films as well as for television. He is an Alumnus of the Telluride Film Festival's Student Symposium Program and is currently enrolled in the MA Filmmaking course at the London Film School.
Key cast: Sebastian Christophers, Raphael Verrion
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Right now, we are trying to promote the film and to get it seen by as wide and audience as possible. We are also looking at ways to distribute the film after its festival run. Any interested sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors and journalists should get in touch.
Made in association with: Apparatus Films
Release date: TBA
Where can I watch it in the next month? We are considering distribution via such online platforms as short of the week. Stay tuned!