Danni
DANNI goes on a journey to explore relationship addiction and seeks to find out at what cost does one become "clean" - or not.
Interview with Writer/Executive Producer/Actress Jeana Reilly
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I wrote DANNI after reflecting on an abusive relationship I was in. I wrote it about 12 years ago and decided to write it with the idea that no one would ever see it – giving me the freedom to go where I needed as the writer, without feeling judged for such a personal story. I felt when I was trying to leave the person I was in the abusive relationship with, it was a physical "withdrawal" and when I would hear from him, it was a "fix". I didn't realize, at the time, that I was addicted to him and him to me, it was never explained that way to me when I was seeking help. I put the script in the drawer for many years after writing it.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
An audience member should watch this film because it will take them on a powerful, poignant journey in just under 25 minutes. You go every step of the way with DANNI, and FEEL her very personal struggle with addiction.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Regarding personal and universal themes in DANNI, domestic violence and addiction are usually personal struggles (dark secrets) and yet are universal epidemics. Too many women are in cemeteries with orders of protection. This disease isn't defined by race, age, income, education or career. It can happen to anyone at anytime.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script evolved the most dramatically when I had a meeting with our Director, Peter Jensen, and I was speaking of my concerns that it might not be clear to audience members that I was exploring the addiction in the domestic violent relationship itself. Jensen had the BRILLIANT idea to add visions to Danni's psyche, and that took the film to another level.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback has been amazing. The most striking to me is that everyone wants more. They are invested, not only with DANNI, but with the other characters in the film that you only get a small glimpse into. They want to know more about each of them and want more from DANNI – many have said they wish it was a feature film.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
That feedback had surprised me. So now I'm trying to figure out how to get DANNI made into a feature film and get this message out globally and ignite this conversation. Another surprise to me was the women that came up to me after the film Festivals. They hugged me, cried with me, shook my hand and said "I got it". That was the most powerful experience: connecting with these women I've never met on such a human level.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
What I'm looking to achieve from more visibility on wearemovingstories is for people to realize the movie is there, it exists, and to understand the powerful message behind the film. Hopefully the more people who watch and share our film, the conversation can get bigger and bigger and open more doors and more conversations.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
If I could get Producers, Sales Agents, Buyers, Distributors, Journalists to come on board to amplify my film's message, whether it be to get the short global recognition, or what I feel in my heart is the next step, making DANNI into a feature film.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
The impact I would like DANNI to have is the realization that a Domestic Violent Relationship is an Addictive Relationship for both. In trying to break free and get help, I think it needs to be addressed as an addiction and offer counseling and 12 step programs that addresses this specific type of addiction.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
A key question question that will help spark a debate would be why isn't the Addictive Element in Domestic Violent relationships explored more like an addiction to drugs or alcohol? It's certainly as deadly and crippling.
Would you like to add anything else?
I'd like to add that no matter how many films I make after DANNI, this film will be the nearest and dearest to my heart, for so many reasons.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I'm working again with Peter Jensen as my Director on my script called THE PASSION. I'm also the co-writer on a script called MILLWOOD DRIVE. I play interestingly beautiful flawed characters in both films as well as Producing the films under my company, TAKE IT TO THE STAGE FILMS.
Interview: September 2018
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, 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
DANNI
DANNI goes on a journey to explore relationship addiction and seeks to find out at what cost does one become "clean" - or not.
Length: 24:37
Director: Peter Jensen
Producer: Kierke Pansanick
Writer: Jeana Reilly (credited as Diane Reilly)
About the writer, director, producer:
JEANA REILLY's (writer) first film, DANNI, has been an OFFICIAL SELECTION in 23 Film Festivals -Winning Best Short Film twice. She recently Won BEST ACTRESS for her role.
PETER JENSEN (director), Artistic Director of the T. Schreiber Studio, is proud of the work on DANNI with Jeana and the talented cast and crew.
KIERKE PANSANICK (producer) lives and works as a Producer in Los Angeles. Loving the script for DANNI, she flew to New York to Produce our film.
Key Cast: Jeana Reilly, John Moran, Don Draxler
Looking for: Producers, Sales Agents, Buyers, Distributors, Journalists, Film Festival Directors. DANNI is currently being represented, non-exclusively, with HEWES PICTURES.
Facebook: Take It To The Stage Films
Instagram: @takeittothestagefilms
Funders: We had some film funding come from our INDIEGOGO campaign.
Made In Association with: TAKE IT TO THE STAGE FILMS.
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? DANNI is Now Available on AMAZON PRIME VIDEO in the U.S., in the U.K., and on Vimeo Worldwide. DANNI will also be soon available on DIRECTV on the SHORTSTV CHANNEL.