Normativity shares that daily struggles, resilience, acceptance and love of a group of women and asks us to redefine "normal".

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Actor Katie Scardino

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you! I began writing Normativity after the 2016 election when our country was going through a bit of a shift and a divide. It felt like after years of progression on social issues we were beginning to backtrack. It also felt like much of the dialogue happening on social issues was gone about in an unhealthy way. As a more feminine gay woman, I wanted to share my experiences with heteronormativity to open up a dialogue that was judgment-free and also wanted to learn about and share the stories of women different from myself. Thus, I embarked on a journey of research and writing that ultimately became Normativity.

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

I think it is important for us to challenge ourselves every now and then. Normativity will compel you to second think your own perceptions of people who are different from yourself. No matter how socially aware and open-minded we all may or may not be, we have deeply rooted biases and judgements of others that we may not even be aware of. You should watch this film as an opportunity to step away from yourself and challenge your own thinking and make you question what is “normal”.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

While Normativity originally stemmed from my experiences with heteronormativity (where people believe or assume that heterosexuality is the norm), I wanted to further that theme and delve into the presumptions we make about anyone who is different from ourselves or who doesn’t align with our individually or societally created norms. It is easy to isolate ourselves and prejudge others based on gender, religion, race, sexual orientation, mental health or other factors seen as taboo by some. Normativity shares daily struggles, resilience, acceptance and love of four women and asks us to redefine "normal".

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

I met with women from all over to get inspiration for and to write the stories that I couldn't write myself. As a white woman with little religiosity, my life experience is different from that of a woman of color or someone whose faith is a priority. After talking with many different women, I strung together the common themes and began writing each episode of Normativity. I would send drafts to a core few to get their feedback and edit/reconstruct from there. I also gave freedom to the actors to mold the dialogue as they felt necessary to best reflect their own experiences.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

We have had one private screening in Los Angeles so far and the feedback was overwhelming. People of all different ages, backgrounds, and from different treks of life told me how they either related so much to a character or learned so much from a storyline. One couple told me a couple of weeks after the screening that Rashida's story (in which she contemplates no longer wearing a hijab after being harassed in the street) sparked a continuous discussion in their household. I also had one person reach out to me a day after the screening to thank me for Sam's story on mental health in which she experiences a hypomanic episode. This person told me that although the character was so different from him, he related so tremendously to what she was experiencing that it made him feel comforted and less alone after a really difficult day.

For Normativity to have this sort of impact on people is the exact reason I created the narrative and I couldn't be prouder.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

So far the feedback has been very positive - if anything it has eradicated any anxious fears I had that the message of Normativity wouldn't come through. I'm beyond satisfied so far!

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

It is great to be on a filmmaking platform that is so inclusive of women, the LGBTQ+ community and people of color, especially when Normativity centers around diversity and inclusion. I would love to continue the conversation through www.wearemovingstories.com and spark interest for more articles and press as well as distribution.

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

I'm certainly looking for journalists to come on board and help continue the dialogue of Normativity in print. I'm also hoping to have sales agents, distributors, etc. who are interested in finding a unique way to launch Normativity into the public eye. Normativity is unique in its structure so the distribution will have to be unique as well.

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

I am hoping Normativity challenges people to look beyond their own norms and live with an open heart and open arms towards those that are different from them. I also hope that people can relate to and be comforted by Normativity and know that they are never alone.

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

Has there been a time when you found yourself jumping to conclusions or judging others based on preconceived biases you might not have even known you had?

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

Mike Levinsohn, my co-producer, is consistently working on film projects in Boston. He is currently developing a new series and I can't wait to see what comes of it. When I'm not doing things regarding Normativity, I have been focusing on acting and songwriting in Los Angeles.

Interview: April 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

Normativity

Normativity shares that daily struggles, resilience, acceptance and love of a group of women and asks us to redefine "normal".

Director: Katie Scardino

Producer: Katie Scardino, Mike Levinsohn

Writer: Katie Scardino

About the writer, director and producer:

Following many years of acting for stage and camera, KATIE SCARDINO is making her writing and directorial debut with Normativity. After living in London and Boston for four years after graduating from the University of San Francisco, Katie made the big move to Los Angeles in fall of 2017. She continues to act and is an avid singer/songwriter.

Originally from Queens, MIKE LEVINSOHN moved to Boston to study film at Boston University. There, he found himself deep in the music scene and soon founded his own production and sound company, TEGMENTAL. Mike now spends his days doing sound design, directing and producing.

Key cast: Elissa Klie (Sam), Shavonna Banks (Olivia), Katie Scardino (Melanie), Sara Shehod (Rashida), Daniel Washington (Jayden), Mary Wright (Kim)

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

Facebook: Normativity

Instagram: @normativityseries

Hashtags used: #normativity #normativityseries

Website: www.normativityshortseries.com

Other: IMDb

Made in association with: Aberdeen Row and Tegmental

Funders: Production was self-funded. Post-production and beyond with help from Seed & Spark crowdfunder

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Bentonville Film Festival/Bentonville Arkansas - May 11th, 2019