For Film's Sake - I Love My Robot Boyfriend!
Shelly, a teen queen science extraordinaire, sets out to create herself the perfect robot boyfriend. When she succeeds, she has to deal with the consequences of his so-called “perfection”.
Interview with Writer/Director Sariah May
Watch I Love My Robot Boyfriend! here:
Image: Shelly works on a mysterious project.
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
This film was born from my conflicting emotions regarding romantic comedies. I meant it as a careful homage to, and also a critique of, the entire genre. I’ve always been an avid rom-com consumer, and films such as You’ve Got Mail (1998) and When Harry Met Sally (1989) spurred my love for cinema—but also created problematic expectations for romance that I would have to deal with as I grew up. I wanted to tell a story about a young girl who is on the precipice of dealing with reality. She’s a smart girl who is also a dreamer; she longs for the “other,” that thing that is so often hard to describe and so difficult to reach. I was interested in exploring this idea with the backdrop or facade of romance and comedy, to add my stamp on the genre, while also pointing out the problems. And, I really wanted to shoot a musical number with a bunch of flamboyant sparkly boys.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This film, while it may seem like a floofy comedy, is also at its core a story about learning to deal with imperfection and reality. It’s a universal story and lesson that everyone learns—regardless of race, gender, or sexuality. Having to start dating and sifting through the masses to find that someone who makes you feel the way Tom Hanks makes your 15 year old heart feel is not an easy or glamorous feat, and this short film highlights some of those emotions, while also making you laugh and sing and dance on the ride.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Like I said, everyone has to deal with realities of dating, and figuring out what they want in a relationship. Everyone can relate to how Shelly feels when her idea of perfection turns out to feel artificial and hollow. I personally pulled a lot of the film from my own personal dating experiences, and from times when I looked at the artificiality of the “grand gesture” and the pick up line and the sweet nothings that are often sought after or preferred in romantic relationships. It was actually the domesticity and the complete normal-ness of another person that made them more appealing. It’s the moments in between gestures and sentiments that proved affection and the intangible “love” that rom-coms boast of.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script changed quite a bit from the first draft. It started as basically a rip off of Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (2005), and I quickly realized that it wasn’t working and was not original. Instead, I opted for a more satirical approach and decided to make the film about a robot instead of a dead person, and give it stronger roots in romantic comedy than children’s media. It was a decision for the better, and from then on the project was more focused and more me. I was able to put my own flair into it and use the abnormally large database of romantic comedies I had stored up in my head. From page to screen, things stayed pretty true to the original vision, as everyone on our team had a singular vision for the film and the script had laid a very good foundation for the film.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
So far, many people have praised the cinematography and production design in the film. Visually, it’s very strong. There are clear color schemes and playful lighting techniques utilized, and many people comment on how they enjoyed the visual style. But the most common thing I have heard back from audiences is that they just had a good time watching it from start to finish. Many people have found the film to be an entertaining and impactful experience, one that makes them laugh and smile and feel a little bit sad as well. Which means I have done my job, regardless of whether or not they get the message. As long as they laugh, I am happy.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not necessarily. It mostly gives me validation that I spent time and money on the right project and that all the hard work was not in vain.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I am looking forward to expanding our film’s audience. I got into film so I could entertain. And the more people that the film can reach, the better chance I get at making someone smile for 15 minutes—15 minutes where they don’t have to worry about work or think about their to-do list. They can forget for just a moment and go somewhere else. That’s one of the most powerful impacts film can have on a person.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We’re looking for like-minded people to want this film to succeed, and reach as large of an audience as possible. Distributors, journalists, buyers, producers, whoever would be interested in putting the film in a more visible location. We’re all very excited to have more exposure!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
It would be great to have this film be marketed to or have an impact on the teen girl populations. That was the audience I was catering to whilst writing and throughout production we kept them in mind.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What kinds of bad dating experiences have you had? How have those experiences helped you understand something about yourself that you hadn’t known before?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
The cinematographer, producer and I have our own LLC, and we do all kinds of work from commercials to shorts to music videos. We’re hoping to shift our content exclusively to fiction and hoping to get funding for our first feature!
Interview: April 2018
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, horror, world cinema. 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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I Love My Robot Boyfriend!
Shelly, a teen queen science extraordinaire, sets out to create herself the perfect robot boyfriend. When she succeeds, she has to deal with the consequences of his so-called “perfection”.
Length: 16 minutes 47 seconds.
Director: Sariah May
Producer: Elise Moulton
Writer: Sariah May
About the writer, director and producer:
Sariah is a recent college graduate from Brigham Young University where she studied film with an emphasis in directing and production design. Her goal in life is to tell fulfilling and well developed stories about women, and the things women deal with that no one ever gets to talk about.
Elise Moulton is also a graduate from Brigham Young University, and she shares the same passions for storytelling as her colleague Sariah. Together they have started their own female run production company that dedicates its efforts to this very cause.
Key cast: Ali Kinkade, Brando White, Tamara Cottle
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Producers, distributors, journalists
Social media handles:
Instagram: myrobotboyfriend
Made in association with: BYU
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month: It’s available on vimeo and at selected festivals all over the world.