HollyShorts 2019 – After Emma
A powerful drama about a father's road to acceptance.
Interview with Writer/Director Gabrielle Stone
Watch After Emma here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I wanted to make a film that had a powerful message about substance issues, toxic relationships, and ultimately acceptance.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This film is going to take you on an intense ride in ten minutes. There are incredibly powerful performances that will captivate you and break your heart all at the same time.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Acceptance is ultimately what the film is about. In different ways, the characters have to come to terms with different aspects of their choices and themselves. We see different arcs of fighting responsibility, how it affects them, and how they eventually reach acceptance around it.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
I wrote the script in an hour one night up in Lake Arrowhead. Other than finessing some legal jargon in the courtroom scenes, what is on the screen is what you would have read in the first draft.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We're about to premiere at our first festival so we're just at the beginning of our run. However, the people who have seen private screenings of it have been incredibly moved by it. It's a powerful film and the performances really do hit everyone that watches it.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I was insanely proud of the cast and the performances they delivered on set. So no, I was not surprised that everyone who's watched it saw what I saw. I'm very proud of the way it all came together in a ten-minute film.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We're ready to get After Emma out into the world! I not only want these actors to have their work seen and recognized but I'm excited about what the festival run may bring.
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 always looking for a great festival to play at.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I want it to move people. There are a lot of issues we tackle in this piece that I think will hit people in different ways. My goal as a filmmaker is to always give people an experience and make them feel something. If that is accomplished, then I've done my job.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Is it always fair to have to take responsibility for something that may not be entirely your fault?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I'm in development for a feature film that is based on a best selling book. I'm so excited to bring this powerful story to the screen.
My novel Eat, Pray, #FML is now available on Amazon. That's a totally different side of me then you will see in After Emma!
Interview: August 2019
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
After Emma
A powerful drama about a father's road to acceptance.
Length: 10:01
Director: Gabrielle Stone
Producer: Elizabeth Mihelich, Nick Terry, JT Mollner
Writer: Gabrielle Stone
About the writer, director and producer:
GABRIELLE STONE first co-wrote and co-directed the award-winning film It Happened Again Last Night winning twelve awards at festivals including best director. After Emma is her second directorial picture. Gabrielle just published her first anticipated novel Eat, Pray, #FML which is a best new release on Amazon.
Key cast: Amy Smart (Christine), Dee Wallace (The Prosecutor), Taymour Ghazi (Jordan), Parker Gray (Emma)
Looking for: film festival directors
Facebook: After Emma
Instagram: @afteremmafilm
Hashtags used: #AfterEmmaFilm
Other: IMDb
Made in association with: You Can Productions, APS Films
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Hollyshorts Film Festival 8/9/2019. Other festivals to be announced.