Alex had a shitty night.

Interview with Writer/Director Mary Dauterman

Watch Wakey Wakey on the filmmaker’s website

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you! Part of why I made this film was that I was coming off of a much more complicated, multi-location short and wanting to create something more immediate. Wakey Wakey was shot over the course of a day in a single room in my apartment.

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

You should watch this film if you’ve ever woken up really mad at your boyfriend.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Wakey Wakey questions relationship paranoia from a female perspective, the psychological and physical horrors we create for ourselves in our nightmares, and the way we face our internal fears when we return to reality.

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

The script went through many evolutions; I kept revisiting it for months before I really considered shooting it. My producers had helpful steers when they came on board, then I just kept tweaking until we shot. The final shooting script and the edit are very close though, with the exception of Rachel and Tim’s excellent improvisations in the final scene.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

People are pretty intrigued by the genre mashup. And it’s always fun to hear legit gasps when watching it with an audience.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I’m most surprised by how people classify it: some audiences view it as a straight horror and others as a creepy comedy. I always just saw it as a comedy with some blood n guts.

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

I’m excited to gain more exposure for this weird twisted short, and if anyone wants to check it out before it's online, while it’s still on its festival run, feel free to email me directly for a secret link! (mary.dauterman@gmail.com)

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

Definitely interested in talking to festival directors and journalists about Wakey Wakey.

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

Still trying to fight the good fight to convince the entertainment world that women are funny (& scary, too).

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

Well, after my boyfriend watched it he asked if I was mad at him.

So the question is: “Are you mad at me?” Great way to start a convo.

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

I am in post for a short satirical comedy/thriller called Hey Girl, and in pre-production for a supernatural horror comedy called Unfinished Business.

Interview: July 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

Wakey Wakey

Alex had a shitty night.

Length: 3:30

Director: Mary Dauterman

Producer: Leah Donnenberg, Sarah Donnenberg, Kirstin VanSkiver

Writer: Mary Dauterman

About the writer, director and producer:

MARY DAUTERMAN is a director and multidisciplinary creative based in Brooklyn. Her films have screened at Fantasia, Maryland Film festival, and Cinequest, among others. She’s been recognized by The ADC Young Guns, The Webbies and The One Show, and featured in The New York Times, NPR, Vice and CNN. She also published two kids books that aren’t for kids, written satire for the Hairpin (RIP), and invented a viral beach accessory. Her shorts have been selected for multiple Vimeo Staff Picks and featured on NoBudge, Vulture and Booooooom.

SLMBR PRTY is a female-focused production company founded by Leah Donnenberg, Sarah Donnenberg and Kirstin VanSkiver. SLMBR PRTY gathers female and female identifying creators across all disciplines to collaborate, support, and learn from each other, hosting bi-monthly showcases, events, and lectures for the female production community in New York.

Key cast: Tim Platt (Elliot), Rachel Sennot (Alex)

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

Twitter: @whatsfordunch

Instagram: @whatsfordunch

Website: wakeywakey.persona.co

Other: IMDb

Funders: Self-funded

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Fantasia Film Festival, Montreal, July 20; Sick N Wrong, Orlando, Aug 9-11; Stuff MX, Mexico City, Nov 7-16