American Moderate
A first-time voter from the South struggles to find herself, and a candidate that best represents her, in the upcoming 2016 presidential primary election.
Interview with producer/director/DP/editor Jared Callahan
Main photo: Liz attends a political rally and watches most off it through her phone, experiencing the event through the lens of social media.
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
During the lead up to the 2016 presidential primaries it was obvious that the election was uncommonly divisive. Like many Americans, I have different political views than my family. I wanted to figure out a way to engage the political season without just being another closed-minded, polarized voice. What would it look like to spend significant time with people whom I disagree about most political issues?
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Liz is an interesting character because her family is entrenched firmly in one party, but she was genuinely looking across parties to find a candidate to best represent her. She takes her role as a voter seriously without taking herself too seriously. Our main character Liz is worth getting to know because she is unique in being so eager and yet so young in her approach to the world and the election.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Liz perfectly captures a season of life full of self-discovery while differentiating from our families. Young people today are going through this age-old ritual in the midst of technology and our current political cycle. It makes for a very interesting viewpoint through which to approach the world. Politics affect us all, and if people like Liz are the future, they are worth knowing. This film was me trying to understand the future of “Red State” voting Americans.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The film is a documentary, but the story certainly evolved while we filmed. I thought the main storyline was going to be her father being out of work, and the affect that had on how they all voted. As my time with the family progressed, I realized that Liz was getting most of her information about the candidates from Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. The main storyline shifted to whom she was going to vote for, more than what her family was doing.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The film has done good work. We have screened it at multiple festivals, and the Q&A is always interesting. My favorite moments are when people who lean solidly towards one end of the political spectrum are challenged by Liz’s journey. She really does make you engage the way we’ve dismissed the “other side” as ignorant. I’ve been very pleased to have the film play in both liberal and conservative venues and be able to foster respectful dialogue between people with different political philosophies. We are changed by absorbing the stories of others.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Yes, after every tough conversation I realize how few venues there are for respectful dialogue. We should be able to disagree cordially. It should be possible to disagree with someone’s politics without thinking they are the devil incarnate. It’s been challenging for me to engage people with whom I disagree, and yet, those conversations always end up being the most rewarding. This project was an exercise in listening to people who are different.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
American Moderate is an entertaining teleportation into the life of a 19-year-old female from the South. If that’s not your everyday existence, then it can serve people by increasing empathy for “the other.” I want the film to continue to edify and challenge audiences, including everyone who clicks around WAMS. We worked on it for a year, it is worth your 15 minutes.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We’d love to release the film to more people. American Moderate will be released through PBS’s REEL SOUTH program, with the potential to screen nationally. We’d love to have any sales agents, buyers, or distributors come on board to help spread the film. As we’ve learned, political engagement is up, and as the 2018 midterms approach, this film will only become more relevant.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We had initial conversations about expanding the short into a feature film, and I decided that if you can tell a story in 15 minutes, why make it a feature? There is no need for that. I have a lot of other projects brewing, so I hope this short film continues to challenge audiences to see people with more grace and empathy…and to be informed voters.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Do you have genuine interactions with people who vote differently than you? Why not?
Would you like to add anything else?
Thanks for what you do to help quality independent films gain traction. There is so much work out there now (which overall is a good thing), but it can be hard to get your work to audiences that will appreciate it. Film festivals are still great, but this is a huge help.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Well, American Moderate comes out on PBS July 4th, 2017. The New York Times just picked up my next short documentary, so we are deep into an edit preparing that film for release. Then I have a short narrative about drug recovery and a short animated film about escaped Nazis being brought to justice that we are trying to get finished before the fall film festival deadlines hit. Next year should be a fun year at festivals, haha! We are also finishing touches on the sales campaign for my feature documentary film entitled Janey Makes a Play to get it in the hands of theatre troupes across the country. We have some good times ahead. You can reach out or follow me @jared_cal for updates as projects exist in public. Cheers! –Jared
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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American Moderate
A first-time voter from the South struggles to find herself, and a candidate that best represents her, in the upcoming 2016 presidential primary election.
Length: 15:21
Director: Jared Callahan
Producer: Jared Callahan
Jared Callahan makes intimate movies about interesting characters. He works hard, has fun, rests well, vivaciously consumes content, skateboards, is a pastor, and loves people.
Key cast: Liz Lehr (@Elizabeth_Lehr)
Looking for: anyone who loves the film and wants to help spread it. Sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists, & investors for next projects.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmericanModerate
Twitter: @jared_cal
Instagram: @jared_cal
Funders: Vince Tetro, EP.
Made in association with: The Atlanta Film Society
Where can I see it in the next month? PBS REEL SOUTH