Sandra, a Syrian refugee, accepts a prestigious but unpaid internship with the UN. Unable to afford to live in Geneva, she must compete for a permanent paid position while camping by the lake.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Michelle Musser

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I was really interested in the Syrian refugee crisis, and as I started hearing about all of these talented and educated people who were displaced from their homes, I tried to imagine how I would respond. It made sense to me that someone who is young and ambitious would want to work with the organization running the refugee camps to make the system better, but like in many industries, that means starting as an unpaid intern.

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

It’s a unique look at the global refugee crisis that tries to put the audience in the shoes of someone fighting to make their place in the world.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

On a personal level, we can all understand the “American" dream rags-to-riches story, and the idea that we are more than where we come from. On a global level, the prevalence of unpaid internships and the way that they work to reinforce privilege in leadership is a flawed system that need to be addressed.

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

It definitely started with some unrelated ideas that just kept coming back to my mind: refugees, unpaid internships, the UN, the idea of a sudden fortune or success and how unrealistic that is. As I reworked it, I saw how all these piece fit together into a more cohesive whole.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Mostly positive. I feel like most who watch this film feel invested in the lives of the characters.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Not as much as I expected. I thought I would receive more backlash for trying to tell a story that isn’t necessarily my point of view or part of my cultural experience, but I was really passionate about it and tried to approach it from a very personal perspective.

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

I would love to exhibit this film at more festivals, I just want people to see it and see the message!

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

Distributors and film festival directors for sure! But of course, sales agents and journalists would never hurt.

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

I would like to have as large of an audience as possible, because I truly feel like this is an uplifting message that would challenge current prejudices in our political climate.

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

How is someone who has lost everything supposed to achieve success in our economy and society?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I would love to develop a longer series about the UN. I’m currently in the research phase. Dream Jenjesda, our cinematographer, just finished her thesis, Mermaids. Christine Lenz is working on a national voice-over campaign (can’t say what it is just yet). Bryon Azoulay is developing his own script and short. Julien Heron is continuing his role on Baskets.

Interview: December 2017

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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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Tentpole

Sandra, a Syrian refugee, accepts a prestigious but unpaid internship with the UN. Unable to afford to live in Geneva, she must compete for a permanent paid position while camping by the lake.

Length: 20 minutes, 18 seconds

Director: Michelle Musser

Producer: Jessica Mathisen

Writer: Michelle Musser

About the writer, director and producer:

Michelle graduated with an MFA in Film and TV Production from USC. While at USC, she's directed several shorts, written two feature screenplays, and produced one of the university funded projects, "Warm, Smooth, Mean.” Since graduating she has worked on three feature films and a new tv series, Young Sheldon.

Jessica is a grad student in the MFA Film and TV Production program at USC. Before graduate school, she studied American Ethnic Studies and Visual Arts at the University of Washington and went on to produce videos for a local software company. Jessica works in graphic design and plays the piano in her spare time.

Key cast: Kiara Feliciano, Julien Heron, Christine Lenz, Bryon Azoulay, Cait Castle, Emmett Lee Stang

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

Social media handles: https://www.facebook.com/tentpole/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tentpole/

Funders: Kickstarter and my personal savings

Made in association with: University of Southern California

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Still submitting to more festivals, stay tuned…