"And you thought a failing marriage was tough. Divorce is just the beginning..."

Interview with Director Michael Medico

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Krista Vernoff and I went to Boston University together but did not become close until we both went through our divorces at the same time. We were each other's life-rafts. We'd been wanting to work on a project together for a while and so this shared experience seemed like a great place to start!

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

It's funny and touching and has a great cast that CRUSHES IT, especially our lead Kaili Vernoff, Krista's sister, who also went to Boston University with us.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Most people at one point or another in their lives go through a break up of some sort. There's a shared universal pain there, lots of thoughts about being unlovable and then, hopefully, a rebuilding. There's nothing NEW being said here about divorce, it's just one woman's story that's super relatable and also shines a comedy light on all the F***ed up things that can happen.

Slating the "Bells and Whistles" scene with Kaili Vernoff (shot at Good Luck Bar in Los Feliz in Los Angeles)

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

At first, it was going to be a web series. However, neither Krista nor I watch web series. Not that we don't want to, it's just that historically, we just haven't. And, then we asked our friends if they watch web-series and neither did any of them either. So that was very telling. Why should we create for a medium we know nothing about nor do us or our friends watch?! BUT we knew that this story felt like a series of vignettes.

When I was getting my divorce, I made a "mix tape" for my ex-husband (on CD). And when I told a friend that I wanted to give it to him to express all the hurt and pain I didn't have words for (It was actually called "Words I Do Not Have" ha!) my friend grabbed my arm and looked me seriously in the eye and said "That mix tape is FOR YOU. Not him. DO NOT GIVE THAT TO HIM." Now, it makes me laugh that I was going to but I know, in hindsight, that when you're hurting, music can be a great emotional release. Sometimes the song's tone does not even fit the moment but it can have lyrics that express what you feel or it could have been playing during a particularly crucial time in the split up. It does not even have to make sense in the moment, but can still elicit an emotional catharsis. And so that is how we can up with the idea of a "mix tape" or sorts for the series of vignettes. Plus, obviously, the comedy and dramatic double entendre implied in "The Greatest Hits"

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Everyone has loved it. We had a GREAT showing at the LA Int'l Shorts Festivals and there were tons of questions after the screening during the Q and A. And it also played even funnier that I had thought it would. I know everyone says this but movies really are so different on the big screen. Even I laughed at parts I had seen a thousand times but had not laughed at before.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Whenever I finish a project and am about to think about starting my next project, I'm always positive that I'm a hack and that I will never be able to pull of such a stunt again. And I'm SURE I will never be able to "push another creative boulder" up the hill ever again, that's for sure. And I totally forget all of my accomplishments and hard work that came before. It's like I have amnesia. Seeing Divorce: The Greatest Hits on the big screen at the LA Int'l Shorts Festival showing to a packed house was so moving. For the next 24 hours, I was proud and confident and so happy. Of course, two days later, amnesia once again set in and I was back with my nose to the grindstone sweating out what my next project would be....

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I'd love to just have more people see my work. I'm a storyteller. But without an audience, I am just a guy creating in a vacuum.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Well, first, I'd love to get into more film festivals. I had such an amazing time at the Palm Springs Int'l ShortsFest with my film "Walk It Out". I met incredible film-makers from around the world and saw some of the most extraordinary films I have ever seen. Then, I'd love to sell the short. I can see it on an airline. I have always thought Virgin Airlines should have, as part of their in-seat entertainment, a shorts category. Because sometimes you want to watch something more indie, more edgy, or just newer but not have to commit to a whole movie. Short form content is perfect for an airline. And of course, the more press I am able to get with my work, the more I have to promote myself to get those next bigger projects.

Andrew Wheeler, our DP, shooting the "Electric Youth" scene with Beau Mirchoff and Kaili Vernoff.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I would love for it to touch people. Make them laugh but also make them empathize with our heroin. And during the argument scene, I'd love for the audience to be routing for her, either silently or otherwise. :-)

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Simple: Why tell this story of this one woman's divorce... Why is it important?

Would you like to add anything else?

Krista and I went to Boston University with Kaili Vernoff, Peter Paige, Michaela Watkins and Ray Ford. And everyone else in the project was either an old friend of someone we had worked with on a past project, so it felt like old home week. We were a family unit all working together and having fun telling this story. I think that shines through. Everyone was bringing their best work and it was an absolute joy to be on set with them all.

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

At the end of October I'm going to be directing my first TV show: The Fosters for the network Freeform. And I am also finishing up writing a short that I intend to direct in 2017.

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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Divorce: The Greatest Hits

"And you thought a failing marriage was tough. Divorce is just the beginning..."

Length:

15 mins 42 secs

Director:

Michael Medico

Producer:

Krista Vernoff, Conor Robinson, Michael Medico, Kristin Alcala, Alice Denard

Writer:

Krista Vernoff

About the writer, director and producer:

Michael Medico's films have been names Best Short of the Year by LA Frontiers Magazine and been seen at festivals around the world. He will be directing the TV show, The Fosters in Oct 2016.

Krista Vernoff is an Emmy Nominated Writer/Producer who was the co-Show Runner of "Grey's Anatomy" seasons 2-7 (for which she won a Golden Globe). She is now an Executive Producer on the Showtime series "Shameless."

Key cast:

Kaili Vernoff, Jay Harrington, Michaela Watkins, Holland Taylor, Beau Mirchoff, Tracie Thoms, Ray Ford, Peter Paige, Madeleine McGraw, and Kevin Daniels

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):

Sales Agents, Buyers, distributors, Film Festival directors, and Journalists

Funders:

Krista Vernoff

Made in association with:

Lifeboat Productions and Jaia Co.