An innocent game among friends forever alters the course of a relationship.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Annika Marks

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I was inspired to write this movie after I heard a hysterical story from a friend backstage at a play we were doing about a hypothetical game ending in a breakup. I thought it was a great concept and had it kicking around in my head for years. I've been working on building confidence as a content creator - not just an actor. I've been writing in secret for a long time.

After I created "Stay Filthy, Cali" with some friends (a raunchy, comedic PSA series for the CA drought) I had even more enthusiasm for putting my own ideas out there and that's how this short was born. I took it to my husband, Rich Newey, who's a director and asked him to direct it for me. He said he wouldn't direct if for me, but he would direct it with me, and by doing so he's helped me empower myself. We reached out to some of our all-time favorite collaborators to help bring it to life on a shoe string budget and it was a dream come true experience.

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

It's as divisive as it is entertaining. It feels like a realistic light comedy, until it's over. That's when debates break out. We've loved watching audiences react. Watch it with your loved ones and we guarantee you'll have a great conversation over drinks after!

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

"The Games We Play" is about the red flags we recognize early on in relationships and often do nothing about, knowing in the long run they'll catch up to us. It's about trusting your instincts and going with your gut - and about the things we say, without saying them directly, that reveal the truth.

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

I wrote and re-wrote up until the day before production began. And then our amazing cast picked it up and we let them play as much as they wanted. We really wanted the cast to feel like they'd been friends since childhood so we had a rehearsal the night before we shot and gave everyone permission to explore and improvise. Then we asked our incredible DP Jessica Young to keep moving and make the camera act as a 7th friend at the bar. It was a real team effort to get the look and feel right. In the end Rich did a genius editing job and managed to get exactly the tone I had always envisioned. It's realistic and ridiculous at the same time.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

We've won a few awards at our first hand full of festivals - two of which were audience awards, which is so encouraging. Audiences seem to love going on the ride and that's the best reward imaginable.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Yes - we've had a couple people ask if she's an alien which is amazing to me in the most wonderful way!

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

We would love to get people to find us, watch our movie, share it and talk about it after.

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 distribution so we can share it with the masses!

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

To start interesting conversations between people who think they know each other intimately and learn something new about each other.

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

What would you do? (makes sense if you've seen the movie - there's a question at the heart of the movie)

Would you like to add anything else?

Thank you for helping us get the word out!

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

We're making a feature next called "Killing Eleanor".

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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The Games We Play

An innocent game among friends forever alters the course of a relationship.

Length: 10 mins

Director: Rich Newey & Annika Marks

Producer: Annika Marks & Rich Newey

Writer: Annika Marks

About the writer, director and producer:

Rich Newey: Rich is a director who's recent work includes episodes of "Stitchers", "The Fosters" (Freeform) "Blindspot" (NBC), "Beauty and the Beast", "Reign" (CW). In addition to TV he has directed movies, commercials and countless of music videos. He's a prolific writer as well.

Annika Marks: Annika is primarily an actress, currently seen on "The Fosters" (Freeform), "The Last Tycoon" (Amazon). Coming soon is "Waco" (Paramount TV). She has been in movies such as "The Sessions" (Fox Searchlight) and "Grace." (eOne) as well as dozens of theatre productions. As a content creator she made "Stay Filthy, Cali" before "The Games We Play".

Key cast:

Thomas Sadoski, Annika Marks, Missy Yager, Marco Sanchez, Emily Swallow, Brooke Nevin

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

We are looking for distribution for "The Games We Play" as well as Producers film/Investors for "Killing Eleanor", the feature we are making next, using the same formula (Annika Marks wrote and will co-direct with Rich Newey, with Newey editing and they will produce together)

Social media handles:

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

Twitter: @Annika_Marks , @Rich_Newey

Instagram: Annika_Marks

Funders: LTO Productions

Made in association with: LTO Productions

Where can I see it in the next month?

The Woods Hole Film Festival on 7/31

LA Shorts Fest on 8/5