When Lexi takes her boyfriend Sam for a date on an abandoned beach, Sam becomes suspicious that there may be ulterior motives at play. Can their relationship be saved, or is it, so to speak, dead?

Interview with Writer/Director Max Silver and Producer Rachel Sklar

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I wanted to make a simple film that explored the difficulty of breaking up with someone you still care about, playing with the fact that there’s never an easy way to do it.

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

It’s short and hopefully entertaining!

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Beach Day is all about relationships and communication, themes that are at once personal and universal. Learning to communicate in a relationship is universally experienced and we hope everyone can relate on some level to the challenges both characters face in the short.

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

The script was originally twice the length of the finished film. The first half was cut during post-production, when we realized that we wanted to get to the heart of the film faster. Because of that, our actor Mickey Bloom had to eat globs of saucy spaghetti that didn’t end up making it into the cut. Anything for art, right?

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The film has received positive reactions so far. We tried to keep it fun and quick, which keeps the pacing up. We received an award for best comedic short from the first festival we played in, which was wonderful feedback.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I won’t specify, to avoid spoilers, but one part of the film has elicited multiple interpretations beyond what we had anticipated. It has been interesting to hear those perspectives. That’s always an exciting part of putting a story out into the world when we get to hear the various ways it’s interpreted or felt by others. And because the film should speak for itself, there is no right or wrong interpretation.

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

If we can reach more viewers, to provoke more thought and conversation about honesty in relationships, then we will have done our job. Hopefully, our inclusion with We Are Moving Stories can help drive more conversations about--well, about conversations.

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

Because we are in the middle of our festival run, we are trying to speak to as many festival directors as possible. That, and all interested viewers who can help spread the word across socials are always appreciated and extremely helpful.

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

We hope to entertain, but also have viewers walk away thinking a bit more deeply about how they communicate with those close to them. You know that difficult question or topic of conversation you've been waiting to bring up with your partner? Ask them! Tell them! Be true to yourself and open with who you are and maybe you won't end up in the same boat as our protagonists.

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

Is there anything you've been wanting to bring up with your loved one that you haven't yet?

Would you like to add anything else?

We are pleased to be a part of this series!

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

Our producer Rachel is working in development on a number of shows and films with the company Everywhere Studios. Writer/Director Max is working away on a feature film script that delves deeper into similar themes and questions explored in Beach Day, in addition to producing content at Netflix.

Interview: June 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

Beach Day

Length: 6:23

Director: Max Silver

Producer: Rachel Sklar

Writer: Max Silver

About the writer, director and producer:

As a writer and director, MAX SILVER has always been interested in dark comedies that explore love and death. In addition to creating his own content, Max works as a producer at Netflix and of independent feature films.

RACHEL SKLAR works as a development executive at Everywhere Studios, where she helps shepherd films and television shows from conception through completion. In addition, she has independently produced short films, music videos, web series and virtual reality films.

Key cast: Erica Lupinacci (Lexi), Mickey Bloom (Sam)

Looking for: film festival directors, distributors, buyers

Instagram: @silverypants

Hashtags used: #BeachDayShortFilm

Website: www.maxjsilver.com

Other: IMDb

Made in association with:

Funders: Self-funded

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? There are no additional screenings--yet! Sign up for our newsletter at www.maxjsilver.com to be kept in the loop about future screenings!