Amazon Prime: Discover Indie Film 2019 – First Dates
A short film about navigating the most perilous of all social interactions: The First Date.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Actor Patrick Cohen
Watch First Dates here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I wrote this just after meeting the woman I am now engaged to. I was interested in exploring the notion that attraction/connection isn't enough. Timing is everything.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Hopefully, because you'll find the characters engaging. I'm always drawn to banter. People who give each other shit as a way of sharing intimacy. And, of course, it's a romantic comedy, so maybe you'll even feel the urge to make that nice little "awwww" noise at the end...
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I think the pressure of First Dates is a pretty universal experience. No matter who you are, we all kind of revert back to awkward high school kids when we're trying to impress a new crush.
And I'm always personally interested in how much luck is involved in our daily life. If timing had been a little off, that happily married couple could have just as easily been two ships passing in the night...
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
It actually didn't change much. What I initially sat down and wrote is pretty much what ended up on screen. My cinematographer, Christopher Cramer is fantastic, so he's the reason it looks so beautiful. But it's a very simple, dialogue-driven film, so mainly we just put the script on its feet.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Everyone seems to use the same adjective: sweet. It's a sweet film. Which is nice. I didn't set out to re-invent the wheel or change the world with this project. I was just hoping to get some chuckles and tug some heartstrings.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Honestly, the most surprising thing about the feedback has been the desire to see more of these two characters. I always envisioned this as a one-off. It's a very self-contained, complete story in my mind. So the idea that people seem to think there's more to see/other stories with these people is unexpected. But flattering to know that people like these two.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Obviously, one of the nice things about being out there in the world is to start to grow your audience. I am currently in pre-production on my next two projects and would love to get people aware of my work, my voice, so that there's a bit of momentum when more work gets released.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I think film festival directors and distributors coming on board would be the most helpful, as I really think this film is my calling card, my first step into the world as a filmmaker. Producers, sales agents/etc would probably be more about the "what's next" conversation, as I work to develop some more content.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would love for this film to cause the hopeless romantics in the room to clap. And the cynical loners to slightly shift in their seats, admitting that it was sweet.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I think the interesting question that I was trying to raise is, what if the timing never worked out? What if we met the person of our dreams at a time when they were already married? Or we were? What if we were about to move across the country? Does love win? Or does it need some help? Do you have to be lucky in timing to be lucky in love?
Would you like to add anything else?
Making this film was an absolute pleasure, and any filmmaker in the world would be lucky to have Anisha Adusumilli as their leading lady.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Angel Acevedo is currently working at Youtube, and Patrick Cohen is in pre-production for his next short, the Sci-Fi film "Virtually Single".
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
First Dates
A short film about navigating the most perilous of all social interactions: The First Date.
Length: 5:14
Director: Patrick Cohen
Producer: Angel Acevedo
Writer: Patrick Cohen
About the writer, director and producer:
PATRICK COHEN makes his directorial debut with First Dates. An Actor and writer, Patrick also teaches Acting at the Annie Grindlay Studio in West Hollywood and is excited to share this sweet little film with the world. Although Patrick has been plugging away for a while, First Dates represents the first time he is producing anything that he's written himself.
The guy behind the guy behind the guy. ANGEL ACEVEDO operates from the shadows. Very few see his face, but his reach is long. A graduate of Hofstra University, Angel was one of the creators of the hugely successful Web Series We Need Girlfriends and has since gone on to work behind the scenes on a number of projects, including My Future Girlfriend, making this his third collaboration with writer/director Patrick Cohen.
Key cast: Anisha Adusumilli (Gwen), Patrick Cohen (Matt)
Looking for: buyers, distributors, film festival directors
Facebook: First Dates
Twitter: @1stDatesfilm
Instagram: @1stdatesfilm
Hashtags used: #1stdatesfilm, #Firstdatesfilm
Website: www.firstdatesfilm.com
Other: IMDb
Funders: Indiegogo
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Amazon Prime series Discover Indie Film