Jean who suffers from speech difficulties all her life and Tom who lost his sight as a young boy. Both feeling disconnected and isolated from the world around them but in different ways. How their chance meeting one day in the park changed their lives forever.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Frank Fazzio

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Jean’s story is based on my mother’s struggles all her life with speech difficulties. I had the story idea of Jean inside me for many years while working on other people’s projects. I finally felt it was time to tell this touching and heartwarming story.

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

My hope is when you’re watching Jean it moves you and lets you see the many different ways people struggle in life but yet find ways to persevere.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

There are many people in the world just like Jean and Tom feeling disconnected and isolated from the world around them. But this film also shows how an unexpected chance meeting one day, in this case, changed both of their lives forever.

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

It was a labor of love and a year in the making from its first draft to its final edit. After stepping away and having several people, including my wife Martha and filmmaker Steve James, providing valuable input that made Jean the film it is today. Their input helped Jean become a much stronger script and story in the end. Also, a shout out to a remarkable lead actress Autumn Breaud who played Jean and an amazing cast and crew.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Many people responded by telling me they cried each time they watched it and felt a part of their own lives in the story of Jean

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

The feedback was what I was hoping, that it would touch and move the audience, which I feel I succeeded in doing.

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

I am hoping it will continue to move and touch people, and they just may see a little piece of their own life or someone they know or love in my film.

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

I would imagine all the above could play a helpful roll in amplifying Jean’s visibility.

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

I would love to have Jean stay with you once you're done watching it. Hopefully finding you wanting to watch it again seeing more, the second even third time around.

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

Our lives and our families are not perfect, and as a young boy, I never realized Jean's speech was different until someone from school came to my house one day and said “Frank, why does your Mom sound so different?”. It never occurred to me because I grew up listening to Jean and it was normal to me.

Would you like to add anything else?

Jean never had the opportunity to see or know this film/screenplay was written for her. However I know there are many others out there like Jean and Tom going through what they did.

What other projects are the key creative’s developing or working on now?

I'm currently co-producing and co-directing a Sci-Fi web series called Black Files, based on a book written by Steve James, and a couple of short films. Working with Steve James, an amazing writer and director I've collaborated with for many years.

I'm also finishing a script called “Ophelia’s Letters" about a WWI doughboy and the Theater of War and the Classic Timeless Love Story between him and Ophelia. The story is told in current time, but with flashbacks to WWI, by the granddaughter of Ophelia and through the voices and letters from WWI she discovers after inheriting Ophelia’s home.

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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Jean

Length: Latest Version 28:58

Director: Frank Fazzio & Steve James

Producer: Frank Fazzio

Writer: Frank Fazzio

About the Writer, Director, and Producer:

I’ve been a filmmaker and actor for many years working on everything from TV, Commercials, Films and Web series. My inspirations for my projects come from observing the people and world around me every day. It inspires the imagination and creativity and passion to tell a story. I know we all have stories inside of us that could easily touch and move others. I would love to be that catalysis to bring as many of those stories to life.

Key cast: Autumn Breaud as Jean & Frank Fazzio as Tom. Also, none of it would have been possible without the support such a dedicated cast and crew.

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Any of the above, if it helps the more people see the different struggles in life that many people face but learn overcome like Jean and Tom.

Social media handles: Just YouTube and Vimeo links to my film

Other: Jean Facebook Group for cast & Crew

Funders: Jean was self-funded by me with small budget

Made in association with:

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtizzOgkTWU

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/249169110