Brooklyn filmmaker Oliver has once again found himself at a crossroads, facing troubles with his long-term girlfriend Cassi and in a rut creatively. While meandering around New York City with his best friend, Oliver explains his latest screenplay, a narrative meditation curiously reflecting his own life, wherein a couple is forced to make a decision: stick together and commit to another year of cohabitation, or call it quits after five years and move out. In order to gain perspective and clarity, Oliver and Cassi have taken two weeks apart, and with their friends' help, make what might be the most important decision of their lives.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Editor/Actor Quincy Rose

Watch The Narcissists on Prime Video

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I made The Narcissists because I wanted to shoot a film in NYC with total creative control, and just run around with a small cast and crew, creating and enjoying the process with them. Really, it was a personal challenge I set forth for myself. I knew if I had a simple concept with some interesting dialogue, and it was set in the greatest city in the world, I could make a film that I was proud of and had a blast making; and that with any luck, an audience would like it too. I also wanted to experiment a bit, try out some different concepts, and I knew that the only way I could maintain total creative control, would be to make a micro-budget film, as to not be beholden to any outside investors. Also, I am always trying to get better at my craft, and you can't do that unless you actually get your hands dirty.

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

Anyone who is interested in dialogue-driven, character-driven stories will enjoy this film. Especially if you like a good old-fashioned, walk-n-tallk movie. This film also serves as a time capsule of NYC in 2016, as much as it does a meditation on NYC. The characters are relatable, funny and interesting, albeit self-involved, but I think between the city photography and the conversations, there's something in The Narcissists for every film fan. If you love films by the likes of Woody Allen, Nicole Holofcener, Richard Linklater, Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig, John Cassavetes, Chantal Ackerman, Joe Swanberg, etc... there is a fighting chance that you might, in the very least, like something about The Narcissists.

The Narcissists (Augie Duke as Letty and Jessica DiGiovanni as Cassi)

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I like to pull from everything and everyone around me. I take from personal experiences and ideas, as well as from stories I am told by friends, or overhear in a diner on a Tuesday afternoon. Nothing is more gripping to my sensibilities than a real, human exchange. I love writing dialogue. There's a magic trick in turning a fifty minute conversation into a four minute scene, and I live for that challenge -- writing and rewriting, tweaking and polishing, until I feel a pure sense of verisimilitude on the page. And I love to explore ideas through my characters eyes, scrutinizing social, personal and critical commentaries of my work and the world around me. In fact, I love exploiting personal themes so much, that friends and family always come up to me after watching a film I have made, and say, Hey -- I said that to you! or, That was personal! I never take a word for word dialogue, but rather manipulate the exchange, boiling it down to its core truth. This is why, whenever someone who is unfamiliar with my work asks, What are your films about? I always answer, This. They are about this. This conversation right now, right here, could easily be something you would find in my films.

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

The script evolved before anything else, naturally. You have to start with a script, and getting it to where I felt it was ready to go, was first priority. It actually began with a photograph I took of a friend as we were saying goodbye from across the 6 Train tracks. She was headed uptown I was headed downtown, and as we stood opposite one another, awaiting our trains, I snapped a photo. For weeks, I couldn't stop looking at this otherwise ordinary photo, as it evoked so many emotions from me. Eventually I began coming up with the story of "Us" -- writing out dialogues and daydreaming about making a film in NYC that either began or ended with this image. So from there, and with a few months of daily writing, I had the final draft in my hand. I just needed to cast my cast and secure my tiny crew. After getting everyone in place, it was on to the shooting. And, it is with total humility, that I can tell you that this is the closest I have ever gotten to getting what's on the page onto the screen. Meaning, when you write a script, the ideas are all wonderful and you dream about the shots, but when you get to the editing room, it's all you can do to not scratch your eyes out, trying to make what you intended to set out to make. But with "The Narcissists," I truly feel pleased with what we accomplished. Yes, the stripped-down nature of the shooting design allowed for a more forgiving strike zone. But that's not to say that any number of things still couldn't have gone wrong... we just got lucky on the entire shoot. Actors came correct, the weather was on our side, no one called the cops on us (not that we did anything illegal), the camera and sound worked perfectly, everyone was fed, our minimal needs all taken care of... It was a dream shoot!

The Narcissists (Zachary Tiegen as Max and Quincy Rose as Oliver)

What type of feedback have you received so far?

So far the feedback has been mostly positive. People are enjoying the film, finding it relatable and entertaining; especially its unorthodox nature. They really enjoy the film within the film aspect.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Nothing about the feedback has been particularly surprising or challenging thus far. However, it is always surprising to me, that I can sit in my office and dream up a story, write a script, get a wonderful cast and crew together, pull off shooting the film and editing the film, find distribution, get it out in to the world, and have it reach so many people that I never knew would ever see my work. So in that sense, it is definitely surprising. And also, just how much some people have loved it, and gone out of their way to tell me so, well, that is always surprising. Ultimately, when I am making a film, I am making it because it is a film I would want to see, or be in, or be a part of... it is very rewarding when others people love it too.

The Narcissists (Jessica DiGiovanni as Cassi and Augie Duke as Letty)

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

I am always looking to expand my fan base as a filmmaker, raise some grassroots awareness. And with any luck, some additional people who might not have heard about The Narcissists otherwise will now know that it is available to watch, check it out, and enjoy it.

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

As The Narcissists is already available worldwide via Gravitas Ventures, we are really just hoping to grow our fan base, as well as hopefully get some critics and journalists to review and/or post about it, help get the word out that The Narcissists is here and ready to be consumed!

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

First and foremost I hope that people find the film entertaining, enjoyable and relatable, and that they will talk about it for years to come. I hope that whoever watches this and enjoys it, checks out my past films (Miles to Go and, Friends Effing Friends Effing Friends), and follows my growth as a filmmaker as I continue to work and grow in this business. I also hope that any aspiring filmmakers will find the film inspirational. The Narcissists is a great example of what you can achieve with a shoestring budget, a few talented friends, minimal recording equipment, and some interesting dialogue.

The Narcissists (Zachary Tiegen, Quincy Rose and DP Jason Krangel)

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

Once you see this film you will see that there are so many questions that could potentially spark a debate: Was the shooting style effective? Are the guys right? Are the women right? Do Oliver and Cassi stay together? Break up? As well as debating any number of ideas and opinions expressed by these colorful characters. Most controversial might be whether or not the last section of the film was necessary? This may be where opinions are most divided. Also, you can debate the film within the film part. For example, which part is the film and which is the film within the film? And is there a third part, a film within the film within the film? That's for you to decide... talk amongst yourselves!

Would you like to add anything else?

Just that I hope people will give The Narcissists a chance, take their time and really absorb this film. I hope people watch it multiple times, taking notice to new things in each viewing. There are so many things to take in while watching this. You can watch the film and just look for the pigeons in every shot. There are so many pigeons! Or you can watch the "extras," which in our case are actually just everyday residents and visitors: People milling about on their cell phones like zombies, totally unaware that we are even filming. People riding bicycles, walking dogs, trucks passing by, trees and parks and the beautiful cinematography of our wildly talented DP, Jason Krangel! Also, I hope people really appreciate the performances: Zak Tiegen (Max), Jessica DiGiovanni (Cassi), and Augie Duke (Letty) bring the funny and the truth! I'd say I do the same as "Oliver" but perhaps that would be to narcissistic, even for a film with this title?

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

I am currently working with a wonderful producer, Rana Joy Glickman. We have several films in various stages of development, and are building an incredible team to give these projects the best chance possible, moving forward.

Interview: September 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

The Narcissists

Length: 1:21:28

Director: Quincy Rose

Producer: Quincy Rose

Writer: Quincy Rose

About the writer, director and producer:

QUINCY ROSE is an award-winning American filmmaker and actor, and son of the late, venerated comedy writer, Mickey Rose (Take the Money and Run, Bananas). IndieWIRE called Quincy’s debut feature film, Miles to Go, which he starred in, wrote and directed, “One of the 12 indie-films to watch on VOD...” and The Hollywood Reporter said, “If Woody Allen and Albert Brooks had a baby, this film would be it.” Friends Effing Friends Effing Friends, Quincy’s second feature film, had its world premiere at the 2016 Cinequest Film Festival, won Best Romantic Feature Drama at the 2016 Manhattan Film Festival, and closed the inaugural year of the 2016 Film Invasion L.A. Film Festival. The San Francisco Chronicle called it, “Sexually frank... a more serious romantic comedy…” FEFEF was released on VOD in North America via Gravitas Ventures. Additional credits include: Melinda and Melinda, written and directed by Woody Allen; Accepted, directed by Steve Pink; and The Quincy Rose Show, which Quincy co-created/wrote and starred in, working alongside Nicholas Brendon, Jack McGee and Lee Garlington. The Narcissists is Quincy’s third feature. It was shot entirely on location in New York City, and kicked off its festival tour at the 2017 Indy Film Fest, and nominated for the Antonioni Award at the BLOW-UP Int’l Arthouse Film Fest Chicago. Since then, Quincy has teamed up with veteran producer, Rana Joy Glickman, on his future cinematic endeavors.

Key cast: Quincy Rose (Oliver), Zachary Tiegen (Max), Jessica DiGiovanni (Cassi), Augie Duke (Letty)

Looking for: journalists

Facebook: The Narcissists

Twitter: @NarcissistsFilm

Instagram: @thenarcissistsmovie

Hashtags used: #thenarcissists #narcissists #quincyrosefilms #indiefilm #walkandtalk #nyc #brooklyn #manhattan

Website: www.thenarcissistsmovie.com

Other: IMDb

Funders: Quincy Rose Films

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Available now, worldwide on VOD (iTunes, Amazon, Vudu, Google Play, Vimeo, Microsoft, YouTube). Available on BluRay/DVD (Target, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Amazon, TCM Shop, etc.)