A man tries to make amends to a woman he believes he sexually assaulted in college. It's filmed all in one shot.

Interview with Writer/Director Melissa M Stephens

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I made this film as an amend to myself. For all the time I spent not believing me. This was an opportunity to trust myself, professionally and personally. It was a way to be of service to myself and others through my work.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I think a lot of people have had similar experiences that they relate too when watching this even though it was born from a personal place.

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

There were many drafts of this script. It was very intense to write and develop because of my own personal experiences. It got to a place I haven't been before but really enjoyed. Every word, every pause and period was crafted in a purposeful and specific way.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Amazing, heartfelt, and emotional.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Yes in some ways it has done both. Everyone has a different take and reaction to this. That's what is wonderful about it in my opinion, it's enlightening to see how people receive this film.

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

For this film to be of service to as many people as possible.

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

Any and all would be fantastic. We would love to amplify the film's message. That's the whole purpose of it existing.

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

I would like the impact/reception to be respectfully thoughtful and thought-provoking.

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

How do you feel at the end of this film?

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

Melissa Stephens is developing a television show with Leslye Headland as producer and Tom Detrinis as a co-creator. Leslye Headland has signed an overall deal with Fox 21 and she is kicking butt on multiple projects. Melissa is developing with AMC Studios on a show and hopefully will be directing her first feature soon.

Interview: February 2020

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

Travis

A man tries to make amends to a woman he believes he sexually assaulted in college. It's filmed all in one shot.

Length: 6:28

Director: Melissa Stephens

Producer: Leslye Headland

Writer: Melissa Stephens

About the writer, director and producer:

MELISSA STEPHENS is a comedian, writer, and director from the Peach State. Melissa is a founding member of IAMA Theatre Company, has been a member of Groundlings’ Sunday Company, and regularly performs stand-up around Los Angeles. She has written and will be performing her one-hour special, Some Assembly Required, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2020. Her directorial debut, Peen, was a Vimeo Staff Pick, and the short series she has written and directed, Finding The Asshole, was chosen to show at Slamdance and is currently in development with Leslye Headland (Russian Doll) producing. Melissa is a writer for the AMC series Soulmates, which comes out in 2020 and is excited to direct her first feature this year, along with all of her other irons in the fire.

LESLYE HEADLAND is an Emmy nominated writer, director, and producer. She began her career writing and directing the Seven Deadly Plays series (IAMA Theatre Company), including Bachelorette and Assistance, which both had successful runs in New York. Bachelorette was the basis for her directorial film debut starring Kirsten Dunst. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012. Her other film credits include writing the 2014 remake of About Last Night starring Kevin Hart and writing/directing Sleeping with Other People starring Jason Sudeikis and Alison Brie which also premiered at Sundance in 2015. Most recently, Headland served as writer, director, and showrunner for Netflix’s acclaimed series Russian Doll, which was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards and nine Creative Arts Emmy Awards, the latter of which it won three. Headland’s additional TV writing/directing credits include: pilots for HBO, ABC and NBC, as well as Terriers (FX), Blunt Talk (Starz), SMILF and Black Monday (Showtime), and Heathers (Paramount).

Key cast: Melissa Stephens (Brie), Brett Goldstein (Jeremiah)

Facebook: Melissa Stephens

Instagram: @melmstephens

Other: Vimeo

Funders: Self-funded

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Vimeo