A young woman uniquely navigates her way through grief, within the confines of her apartment.

Interview with Director Alyson Standen and Writer/Producer/Lead Actor Gemma Yates-Round

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

ALYSON: I was fortunate to meet Gemma (Producer/Writer/Actor) on a new Australian TV show we were both working on. We got talking about film making. We had both made short films before and she mentioned that she was looking for a director for her new script. We met again, discussed the script (and the themes of the film resonated with me). The rest, as they say, is history.

GEMMA: Thank you! I had just moved back to Sydney after a couple years abroad. I suppose the environment of an empty flat and not having booked an acting job for quite some time was the perfect formula for creating something. It was during this time that I wrote the first draft of Final Resting Pose.

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

ALYSON: Because it will remind you that even when bad things happen, if we can be brave, there is hope.

GEMMA: Because grief is something we will all experience at some point. It doesn’t discriminate. But we all emerge from it. It’s a relatable subject, despite its dark nature.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

ALYSON: The film deals with grief and highlights how there’s no right or wrong way to respond to tragedy. There’s just a woman trying to make sense of her world in the best way she can.

GEMMA: Aly hit the nail on the head there. Simone is just trying to steer her ship through some rough seas. She’s trying to stay afloat.

Simone (Gemma Yates-Round) and Henry (Tai Hara) in Final Resting Pose

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

ALYSON: I loved the script that Gemma first showed me, but I wanted to keep the audience asking questions. I wanted to highlight the lead character’s strength and humour. Gemma did another draft and that was brilliant. We shot that draft. And then in the edit, we trimmed and played with moments to keep the audience engaged and, hopefully, take them on a journey.

GEMMA: In the first draft, Simone’s journey was undoubtedly longer and more drawn out. I felt an immense sense of guilt cutting down the script, as if I wasn’t giving her space to mourn. However, Aly’s feedback was invaluable early on in the process, which really helped me find clarity in the script whilst holding onto its original integrity.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

ALYSON: Flickerfest is Final Resting Pose's worldwide premiere so we are thrilled to have an audience see it for the very first time!

GEMMA: Having Flickerfest as the film’s premiere is so encouraging, we are absolutely chuffed! We hope this will be the start of a nice little journey for the film.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

None so far. We haven’t screened yet.

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

ALYSON: Connecting with like-minded filmmakers and film lovers the world over.

GEMMA: A strong network in this industry is a very valuable thing. I’m always looking to collaborate with filmmakers, especially women.

Alyson Standen On Set Directing Gemma Yates-Round and Tai Hara

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

ALYSON: We are filmmakers and would love to chat to anyone who resonated with our work. We’d love film festival directors to invite us to other festivals! Please do! Getting the film out to a world-wide audience would be thrilling.

GEMMA: What Aly said! Haha.

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

ALYSON: I’d like the film to be remembered as a film that touched people’s hearts and made them a little lighter.

GEMMA: If this film were to move you in some way, in any way, then I’m happy.

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

ALYSON: We’ve all been touched by grief in some way…. how did you cope?

GEMMA: Is there a right or wrong way to grieve?

Would you like to add anything else?

ALYSON: Thank you for taking an interest and we look forward to hearing from anyone interested in Final Resting Pose and our team.

GEMMA: We are chuffed that you’ve taken an interest in the film, so thank you!

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

ALYSON: Lauren Jessie Jones (Final Resting Pose’s Producer) and I are in the process of developing and funding another short film, which I have written, titled Back Up. I am also in the process of completing the third draft of a feature film.

Lauren is also currently in the stage of developing and funding her first feature film Paper Doll, an adaptation of the successful play Paper Doll, written by an amazingly talented Melbourne based writer, Katy Warner. The key creatives are over 75% female! Lauren is always eager to work and collaborate with a variety of female creatives, crew and cast.

GEMMA: I’m in pre-production for a short period comedy that I co-wrote with a friend and fellow actor in London. I’m super excited about this project, it’s very different to anything I’ve done before and has a very strong female cast and crew attached. Watch this space!

Interview: January 2019

Final Resting Pose

A young woman uniquely navigates her way through grief, within the confines of her apartment

Length: 4.5 mins

Director: Alyson Standen

Producers: Lauren Jessie Jones and Gemma Yates-Round

Writer: Gemma Yates-Round

About the writer, director and producer:

ALYSON STANDEN is a Sydney-based Director and Actor. Alyson has previously directed three short films which have been selected into festivals including Palm Springs Short Film Festival, Byron Bay Film Festival and over a dozen other festivals worldwide.

GEMMA YATES-ROUND has spent the past 4 years in London acting/writing and producing her own work. She’s appeared widely on stage/screen in Australia and the UK.

LAUREN JESSIE JONES is a Sydney-based Producer and Director. In 2018 Lauren’s second short film Tip of My Tongue was an official Selection in the Sydney Film Festival. Lauren is also a judge for the blue2blue Drone Festival, held annually at Avoca Beach on the NSW Central Coast.

Key cast: Gemma Yates Round and Tai Hara

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

Facebook: Final Resting Pose film

Instagram: @finalrestingposefilm

Other: IMDb

Funders: Various funders (We crowdfunded through the Australian Cultural Fund)

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Flickerfest, Tues 15th Jan