A successful New York lawyer, who barely escaped tragedy as a kid in Boston, is dragged into the past when he returns home to grant his childhood friend a dying wish.

Interview with Writer Ryan McDonough and Director Sean Gannet

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

From Ryan McDonough (Writer/Actor/EP): Thank you! My personal reason for bringing this story to life was because I had recently become a father to an amazing little boy, which brought up all my childhood issues I thought had already been resolved. Here was my opportunity to face some of my demons while also allowing others who are affected by alcoholism and other family diseases, having troubled and/or challenged parents and/or moving away from a tough childhood environment to join me.

From Sean Gannet (Director): I signed on to the film because I loved the script and it touched an emotional chord for me. This story is about forgiveness but more importantly it's about responsibility. There’s a Rolling Stones moral to it: you can’t always get what you want but sometimes you get what you need.

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

SG: This film is like a steak dinner for the price of Big Mac. In just fourteen minutes you’ll go on a huge journey with these characters as our understanding of them changes every minute. You’ll see them as glorious kids and watch them forced to make some of the hardest decisions of their lives as adults. The story is surprising, the film is beautifully shot by Cinematographer Matt Suter, and the actors are incredible.

RM: If you have close relationships in your life that are significantly challenging to you, especially those you may consider abandoning, I think this story will appeal to you and give you a lot to think about. We all have sick people we love, and sometimes their sickness can infect us. What do we do to help them while also protecting ourselves and doing what’s right?

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

We believe a deeply personal theme such as loyalty to a friend (or family member) is in itself universal, as we are all challenged to assess the limits of our loyalty with loved ones who endanger us and others.

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

The biggest evolution happened when the story went from feature length to short. We should credit Producer Darcy Trunzo with pushing us to get the page count down to just twelve pages. In doing so, we distilled a greater story about returning home and uncovering the past to the core relationship between two estranged friends. Also, what’s been so magical, is that in writing and making the short film, we discovered even more exciting ways to evolve the feature. There’s a raw, realness to the ending that we discovered during the short.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

All the feedback we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive. A lot of tears shed, and what’s even better, a lot of laughs during some welcome moments of comic relief during what is an overall very emotional journey. Almost everyone who’s seen the film has wanted to see more of the story, and that is inspiring us to develop the feature with all we have.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

One bit of feedback has actually informed a strong change in direction for the feature. It involves what really happens the last night these characters are together as 12-year-old boys in Roslindale. We will be making a significant and impactful change in that final flashback for the feature that will ultimately add a ton of weight to the main character’s journey.

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

We are storytellers who crave an audience! We want our film to be seen by as many people as possible because we believe it will resonate with a wide audience. We love that We Are Moving Stories is promoting drama and helping filmmakers connect with audience and industry.

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

For the short film, we’d love to see it get distributed more widely. There is a lot of value here: Mark Feuerstein and Yara Martinez star in the film, the message is powerful, and the drama is gripping. Whether in more festivals or through other distribution, we want to see this film get wider release.

But also, our little film is the kernel of a much bigger story and it would be great getting exposure to a larger audience of distributors, sales agents, buyers, and Festival Directors. We’re also hoping this short will inspire EP’s, financiers, and others to see the value in a feature. There’s so much beauty, tragedy, and suspense waiting to be told in the feature version of the film.

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

Primarily, we hope to grip the audience and entertain them from the very first frame. But beyond that, we’re hoping the film sparks deeper thoughts about the characters’ morality and the decisions they make.

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

If you can never forget, can you ever forgive? (That’s more of a tagline but it works!)

Would you like to add anything else?

Writer, Director, and Producer will all be at our screening at Woods Hole International Film Festival on Monday July 31, at 5:00 PM at Redfield Auditorium

Here’s a link:
https://www.goelevent.com/WHFF/e/Shorts4WorldAroundUs

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

Sean Gannet recently released a feature length comedy, Chasing Taste, on Amazon Prime and iTunes: www.ChasingTaste.com

Interview: July 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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Last Night in Rozzie

A successful New York lawyer, who barely escaped tragedy as a kid in Boston, is dragged into the past when he returns home to grant his childhood friend a dying wish.

Length: 14:48

Director: Sean Gannet

Producer: Darcy Trunzo

Writer: Ryan McDonough

About the writer, director and producer:

Ryan McDonough is an actor and writer who spent his formative years in Roslindale, MA . He was "Cuervo Man,” featured on “This American Life.”

Sean Gannet (Director) directed the feature film, “Chasing Taste” as well as several short films including Dottie’s Thanksgiving Pickle, and The Poets.

Darcy Trunzo (Producer) produced The Gift, a short film based on the song by Lou Reed, and a short called The Irish Goodbye.

Key cast: Mark Feuerstein, Ryan McDonough, Yara Martinez, Frank Clem

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): All of the above. Particularly a producer for the feature-length version of the story, from which the short was adapted.

Social media handles:

Facebook: facebook.com/rozziemovie

Twitter: @rozziemovie

Instagram: @rozziemovie

Other: http://lastnightinrozzie.com

Funders: Over 400 through IndieGoGo and From the Heart Productions

Where can I see it in the next month? Skyline Indie Film Fest in Old Town Winchester, VA, Sep 7-10.