Real-life husband and wife duo, Damien Fahey and Grasie Mercedes, co-write and star in EGG DAY. Based on their real-life experience, EGG DAY is a dark comedy short about the egg retrieval process during a couple's IVF. Grasie is making her directorial debut and the film co-stars Mindy Cohn of 'The Facts of Life' and George Ketsios.

Interview with Writer/Director/Actor Grasie Mercedes

Watch Egg Day here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

My husband, Damien Fahey (Family Guy writer and comedian) and I wrote this short based on our personal experience with IVF. We also star in it together. EGG DAY explores the vastly different experiences men and women have when it comes to becoming pregnant, especially when it comes to in-vitro fertilization. The result is a poignant yet funny story that many can relate to, but is rarely depicted on screen.

Infertility is hard, lonely and can be depressing. We wanted to tell this story so that couples going through this to know they are not alone. I also feel as a woman of color, I needed to share my voice on the subject that is seen as taboo in many Latino & African-American homes. Furthermore, despite the seriousness of the subject matter, we want to also shed light on the funny parts. The absurdities of the process that made us chuckle along the way.

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

Because it's heartfelt, funny and about a topic most people know nothing to very little about. Plus, if you grew up watching "The Facts of Life" like I did, watch it for Mindy Cohn! She's hilarious!

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Our film is deeply personal as explained above. Universally, I think anyone can relate to wanting something so bad, you go to any length to try to get it. That doesn't always work out but try nevertheless.

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

It was a fast-moving train. We wrote the script in Oct 2017, were in pre-production by Dec 2017, shot Jan 2018 and picture locked in March 2018. It was very clear from the beginning the story we wanted to tell so not much changed from inception to the final product. We had incredible producers, a stellar DP, and an amazing cast and crew. It honestly all came together seamlessly.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The feedback has been incredible. So many people tell us they are touched by the story, that they had no idea all that went with IVF, that they themselves, or their daughter/friend/sister went through IVF and they can't wait to send them this film. People love that it has it's funny moments but that it's also deeply personally and real.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I'm still surprised at how many laughs we get at screenings which is wonderful. And I'm surprised by how much people appreciate the story.

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

Just hoping as many women and families struggling with infertility get to see this film and know they are not alone and hoping get to laugh a little about the whole thing.

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

Distributor.

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

I want more women to feel comfortable talking about their experiences with IVF. And I want the general public to know more about it as well.

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

Director, Grasie Mercedes is now developing a television pilot with a production company and just signed with GERSH for writing/directing. Producers, Natalie Britton & Kate Hamilton have started their own production company, Queen Gambit Films. Co-writer, Damien Fahey is entering his 6th year as a writer/producer on Family Guy.

Interview: February 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

Egg Day

Length: 9:55

Director: Grasie Mercedes

Producer: Kate Hamilton & Natalie Britton

Writer: Grasie Mercedes & Damien Fahey

About the writer, director and producer:

GRASIE MERCEDES is a Latina director, writer and actress from NYC currently residing in Los Angeles, CA. She began her career at MTV Networks as a producer before moving to LA to further pursue her creative endeavors. EGG DAY is her directorial debut. Her recent acting credits include day roles on 9-1-1 on FOX, Good Trouble on Freeform, The Affair and Masters of Sex on Showtime, Criminal Minds and the pilot Four Stars on CBS.

Key cast: Grasie Mercedes (Grasie), Damien Fahey (Damien), Mindy Cohn (Nurse Hayden), George Ketsios (Dr. Bayrak)

Looking for: distributors

Twitter: @eggdayfilm

Instagram: @eggdayfilm

Website: https://eggdayfilm.com

Other: IMDB

Funders: Self-funded