8th Annual Lady Filmmakers Festival Beverly Hills - Listen Up Emily
A musical film following a girl on a unexpected trip to Paris on the morning of her wedding.
Interview with Director Milo Cremer Eindhoven and Producer Georgi Doig
Congratulations! Why are you making your film?
Cinema is about telling something pictorially, if something can be shown it is way more effective than when it is told. I am not discrediting dialogue - of course - but as David Lean used to say, the audience will remember the pictures, not the words. Though worlds apart from David Lean, Gene Kelly felt like the perfect extension of these words. After watching Gene Kelly dance in the rain, an image of him jumping on a lamppost ingrained itself into my mind. Using dance as a cinematic tool to express pure joy was something I wanted to do with Listen Up Emily.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
There is a great female lead that people really can get on board with, she has her flaws but she makes you laugh. The story is a fun "what if", complete with catchy musical numbers. Ultimately you can decide how much you take from it, the deeper story about figuring out what you want in life and relationships, or you can just enjoy the more animated, comedic elements. I just hope we can offer a brief moment to escape from your day to day troubles, just like the RKO and MGM musicals of old.
Besides, I can’t be more proud to share the work of my team. What they have been able to do with a shoestring budget is already worth someone’s admission. From the ground up they raised a Parisian square in a small studio in Bournemouth, which together with 16mm film comes to life, creating an homage to Technicolor cinema.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I have always been interested in high expectations not being met by life, you create a reality for yourself that is ultimately a fantasy. An unattainable goal that through sheer belief can’t be shed and that will eventually lead to disappointment. Though this sounds like quite a gloomy affair for a musical, I feel there is success in coming to terms with disappointment. This tension between reality and fantasy is something I struggle with, and definitely most people struggle with to some extent.
When you watch Listen Up Emily it might not be apparent on the surface level but I definitely think it is an undercurrent of the film, or at least, it was a driving force in the writing process.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
Since the start of 2015 the script has been in development, first written in short story form and then adapted into a number of treatments. Per treatment the concept became less ridiculous. When my co-writer, Jordan Elson, came on board the project became more grounded. With her dislike for musicals I found someone that could counterweigh my romantic and fantastical side.
From this point we started to write the screenplay. The story has gone through many different iterations, every draft felt like a new lesson in storytelling. At first the story was about remaining stuck in the confines of one’s hopeless idealization of love but as the project developed the story became less about vague concepts and more about overcoming one's insecurities. As actors started to inform Emily's story, elements of my own character started to creep into the script and one becomes confronted with different aspects of one's self.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Up till now very positive, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea but everyone seems to enjoy it, which is ultimately all we hoped for.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I expected that the film would be for a niche audience but to my surprise a lot more people have been digging the production. Making me realize how much production value can do for a film.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Since we are all recent graduates I hope that getting our film out there will spark interest among production companies. I want every single member of the team to continue in the industry.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
At this point in the production, we really want Listen Up Emily to reach as many audiences members as possible through the festival circuit. Our film is unique in its style and in what it embodies, and because of this, we are confident that it will gain the recognition it deserves if it is given the right platforms to be seen.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We want the film to be appreciated for what it is, a fun, refreshing mix of old and new. Therefore we aim for people to recognize and enjoy the creativity and imagination in each element of the production, as well as our appreciation for the history of cinema. We would be overjoyed if the film encouraged members of its audience to delve into cinemas long past and understand and appreciate our influences and inspirations.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
In all honesty our aim has never been to spark a debate, if a person can leave the cinema with a smile our job is done. However, if we are able to even encourage one person reflect on their ideals and hopes in life, I think it would be extra gratifying.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
The producer, Georgi Doig, is currently enjoying work as a producer of commercials for international companies, however she is striving to create a name for herself in the feature film industry in the future.
Whilst Milo Cremer Eindhoven’s first big budget short, Listen Up Emily, enters the film festival circuit, Milo is developing an animation series and writing and producing corporate animations.
Interview: September 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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Listen Up Emily
A musical film following a girl on a unexpected trip to Paris on the morning of her wedding.
Length:
20 minutes
Director:
Milo Cremer Eindhoven
Producer:
Georgi Doig
Writer:
Jordan Elson and Milo Cremer Eindhoven
About the writer, director and producer:
Georgi Doig:
Georgi works hard to give her crew all the tools they need to construct their visions. From funding to creative guidance, she strives to allow her team to work together to create magic.
Milo Cremer Eindhoven:
Milo’s utmost incentive is telling stories. Spending three years at his film production course to grasp how to translate what is written to the screen.
Jordan Elson:
Graduating as editor at the Arts University Bournemouth but also having experience as writer, Jordan knows how to tell stories best from page to edit.
Key cast:
Sarah Swire as Emily van der Heijde
Dan Burton as Gene Donen
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Film Festival Directors, journalist, producers
Funders:
Arts University Bournemouth
IVM Consultancy
Michael Doig
Made in association with:
Arts University Bournemouth
Release date:
8 July 2016
Where can I watch it in the next month?
The film has only just entered the film festival circuit, watch our facebook page for more news!
www.facebook.com/swonderfulgrad