When a homeless young musician moves into a sailboat with a spirited elderly widow, the two must overcome their differences and haunting pasts to unlock each other's dreams.

Interview with Writer/Director Julia Butler and Daniel Mentz

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you! It all started with an old keyboard stored in our garage. During a breezy spring weekend, we decided to clean up and clear out our carhouse, and when Daniel came across said instrument, he found it too valuable to throw away. A few days passed, and Julia suddenly noticed Daniel packing the old electronic piano into his compact car. “What are you doing?” she asked. “I sold the keyboard to a very nice lady in Beverly Hills, but she doesn’t have a car, so she asked if I could bring it to her,” Daniel replied while adjusting the full-sized keyboard on his backseat. “Oh, come on! You’re gonna spend $50 on gas to drive this thing to her?” Daniel gave Julia a good-bye kiss. “I already promised her. Love you!” And with that, Daniel took off.

Many hours later, Daniel returned and told his love why the delivery took so long. The lady turned out to be Gwen Davis, a published author now in her mid-seventies, who had just moved back from South America and wanted to write a musical with a composer friend of hers – the reason why she bought the keyboard. Daniel had spent several hours over tea and cookies with this fascinating woman, as she told him numerous stories about her captivating life.

The next morning, Julia suddenly sat up in bed, struck by an epiphany. “I know the story of our next script!” she screamed. Daniel squinted at her through his sleepy eyes. “It’s going to be about a feisty, elderly lady and a young pianist who help each other to fulfill their dreams. It’s called: ‘Fall.’” Daniel’s reaction was much like Adam’s in the movie when he first heard that name.

A script was written, the production team (Glasscore Entertainment), consisting of close and trusted friends, was assembled and off we went to shoot our first feature film in and around a sailboat. The title SLIPAWAY became clear to us during post-production, as it perfectly captured many facets of the movie’s theme and motives.

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

We are dealing with a lot of important issues that have largely been swept under the rug in recent years. How do we treat our elders? Why is the young generation helpless & disillusioned with the world? What is the meaning of true friendship and how far would you go to fulfill a controversial promise to your best friend? Music plays a big part in our movie, as well; specifically its healing powers and the ability to bring people together, regardless of age or circumstance. Forgiveness, redemption and the unwavering belief in the human spirit are among the topics we explore. This film truly offers something for everyone.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Universal and personal themes closely interweave throughout our story. The underlying universal themes are presented through personal struggle, triumph and discovery. Each audience member will have a slightly different experience based on their own life's story and background. Lastly, the emotional journeys of the characters culminate toward an ending that very few audience members have been able to predict thus far.

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

In the very beginning, the idea was to tell the story with a short film. However, during the early stages of script development, an investor came on board who fell in love with the story and pledged to fund it as a feature film. Needless to say, we adapted the short script into a feature and began soft-prep on production with Glasscore Entertainment. One week before pre-production was supposed to kick into full gear, the investor suddenly disappeared and we were left with nothing.

Devastated, of course, but not the kind to give up, our team regrouped, brainstormed and ultimately decided to pull it off by ourselves. Julia put up the entire budget by using funds from her savings, pension plans, and a few credit cards. Together with our producer Tigran Mutafyan and his team at Glasscore, we brought the script and production down to our budget, and managed to complete it on a daring schedule.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Feedback has been unanimously positive among all audience members. When we started our festival run early this year, we thought we would primarily attract an older crowd to our screenings. However, we were surprised to find more and more moviegoers from younger generations, as well, who loved the film just as much as adults did.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

We were pleasantly surprised by how positively it was received. We had seen the film so many times in numerous different versions throughout post-production that we genuinely had no idea how it would be received once we would screen at festivals... or if we would get into any festivals at all.

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

We would love to engage with your readers and contributors, especially since we have an award-winning female director (Julia-Butler.com), and an award-winning female lead (Elaine Partnow). Both ladies are published and best-selling authors. Throughout the entire production, we not only encouraged but fostered a culture of total collaboration. All of our actors and crew collaborated and contributed to make this story the best we could possibly make it. We are incredibly grateful to be on WeAreMovingStories.com, and we would love to connect with buyers and distributors, as we are currently seeking distribution.

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

At this point, we would need distributors, buyers and journalists to come on board to amplify our message and reach. Even though we continue to receive Selections and Awards at festivals, we are still in need of more presence and reviews in various media, as well as, opportunities to present our film to distributors.

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

It is our hope that SLIPAWAY will not only inspire audiences to follow their dreams, but invoke a sense of curiosity about life and compassion toward one another, no matter the age or background.

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

Why do we, as a self-proclaimed modern society, treat our elders with so little respect and care, when they have not only built our world, but carry the wisdom and experience of an entire lifetime?

Would you like to add anything else?

Just our sincerest gratitude for the opportunity to spread our film's message on your platform, and perhaps receive a little help to bring this film to a wider audience.

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Co-writers/directors Julia Butler and Daniel Mentz are currently finishing another feature film script, and started the TV adaptation to Julia's best-selling novel The Last Encore. Producer Tigran Mutafyan just wrapped several projects in Asia, and is in development on several more.

Interview: August 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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Slipaway

When a homeless young musician moves into a sailboat with a spirited elderly widow, the two must overcome their differences and haunting pasts to unlock each other's dreams.

Length: 89 minutes

Director: Julia Butler and Daniel Mentz

Producer: Tigran Mutafyan

Writer: Julia Butler and Daniel Mentz

About the writer, director and producer:

Writers/Directors Julia Butler and Daniel Mentz have been married and writing for over five years. Their passion is bringing stories with strong messages to life.

Producer Tigran Mutafyan has carved himself into a promising career characterized by hard work, passion, and honesty. He is a specialist of visual storytelling, due to his intensive filmmaking education in Stanislavsky's method of narration.

Key cast: Elaine Partnow; Jesse Pepe

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

Social media handles:

Facebook: @SlipawayMovie

Twitter: @SlipawayFilm

Instagram: @SlipawayMovie

Other: www.SlipawayMovie.com

Funders: Julia Butler, Produced by Glasscore Entertainment

Made in association with: Creative Vision, Inc.

Where can I see it in the next month?

Buffalo Niagara International Film Festival:
September 22nd at 6 PM http://thebnff.com/film/slipaway/

Laemmle Theatres Town Center 5, Los Angeles (limited one-week theatrical run):
September 22nd to 28th, every day at 1 PM | 3:10 PM | 6 PM https://www.laemmle.com/films/42706

The World's Independent Film Festival, San Francisco
September 22nd to 24th, TBA http://www.twiff.org/

The Berlin International Filmmaker Festival, Germany:
October 3rd at 2:55 PM http://filmfestinternational.com/october-3rd-room-3-berlin-iff-2017/
Nominated in 7 categories, including 'Best Film' & 'Best Director'