IFS Film Festival - Weekend Getaway
Two couples who are best friends are on their annual Weekend Getaway when they encounter shocking new truths about each other and now they all really want to getaway.
Interview with Writer/Director Sean O'Byrne and Producer/Lead actress Kym Wilson
Main photo: Kym Wilson as BLYTHE pondering mischief.
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Weekend Getaway found its inspiration in a live performance by FUTURE ISLANDS of their song SEASONS on David Letterman. Besides the powerful emotional performance I was struck by a particular lyric, “When people change they gain a piece but they lose one too”.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Because it speaks to universal themes about relationships.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Weekend Getaway explores this axiom within the relationships of two couples that are best friends. All four are planning to leave their current couple without their significant other knowing. This is that weekend. In our short film the drama of it all slowly descends into the comedy of it all. The grass is always greener on the other side, at least until one gets to the other side.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The biggest evolution was to migrate from a straight dramatic treatment to more of a dramedy. It just seemed a more well rounded way to explore the issue.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The film traverses a razor's edge - some viewers are extremely uncomfortable with the "cheating" and are less comfortable having a laugh. Other people are literally belly laughing through the whole thing.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
They have been good reminders that the "human condition" is a many varied thing.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Well, we are very excited about continuing the examination and story telling through an eight to ten episode arc. There is a lot to to be mined.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We would love to add an EP to help with production costs up front and exhibition contacts for the completed series.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Just to make people feel and think.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Have you ever cheated in or been cheated on in a relationship? If the cheater what did you learn? If not, what did you learn?
Would you like to add anything else?
We started this as a bunch of friends wanting to do something other than sitting around and waiting. We are all thrilled with the result. Just do it!
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I have several film and TV projects in development in Los Angeles, Canada and Australia. Kym Wilson, my wife and Producing partner, is in early stages of developing her next project for the stage and is attached to a feature in Australia. The play she performed in last summer, Speaking In Tongues at The Matrix, Hollywood, received several nominations and won awards including Best Drama and Best Actress in a Drama.
Interview: May 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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Weekend Getaway
Two couples who are best friends are on their annual Weekend Getaway when they encounter shocking new truths about each other and now they all really want to getaway.
Length: 10:15
Director: Sean O'Byrne
Producer: Kym Wilson & Sean O'Byrne
Writer: Sean O'Byrne
About the writer, director and producer:
WRITER / DIRECTOR / PRODUCER - Sean O’Byrne is an award winning LA based Canadian Screenwriter, Producer and Director. He co-wrote with David E. Kelley the Disney / Hollywood Pictures film MYSTERY, ALASKA, staring Russell Crowe . He wrote and produced 100 DAYS IN THE JUNGLE, which won the Gemini (Emmy) for Best Movie. Sean is a highly sought after acting coach and this is his first time directing.
PRODUCER / LEAD ACTRESS - Kym Wilson: Kym is an award winning Australian actress and recipient of the Winston Churchill Fellowship. Her film and television credits include leading roles in Flirting, McLeod’s Daughters, Heartbreak High, A Country Practice, Cody and the ground breaking Australian series, Brides of Christ, for which she won the New Talent Logie (Australian Emmy). She is a successful theater producer. This is her first foray into producing film.
Key cast: Kym Wilson, Aaron McPherson, Tina Kobas, Jamie Irvine
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Other: IMDB - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6626482/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Where can I see it in the next month? We're currently working on a web series release strategy.