Lady Filmmakers Film Festival 2019 – Woman Of A Certain Age
When Kate confronts the daily challenges of being an adult, she is spontaneously visited by versions of herself at different ages – each offering their “best” advice. Like “A Christmas Carol” but without the pesky morals, Woman of a Certain Age explores what happens when we actually listen to the voices in our head.
Interview with Writer/Producer/Actor Kate Dearing and Directors/Producers Amanda Cowper and Sami Kriegstein
Watch Woman Of A Certain Age here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Woman of a Certain Age was born out of frustration. Kate was frustrated with not getting the kind of roles she wanted or deserved. As her 30th birthday was fast approaching, she took stock of all the things that weren’t going right and the way your brain wrestles with itself. Even as a novice writer, she made a fantastic first draft that resonated with Amanda and Sami who came on as directors/producers.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
There is absolutely no way that you haven’t had some kind of internal battle over an everyday conundrum - like whether to go to a party or an item of clothing or should you get this ice cream. The project is cut into very digestable pieces so it’s an easy and enjoyable watch. We’re here to have some fun that resonates with people.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
We all have voices in our head that go beyond the stereotypical angel/devil on our shoulder. We’re haunted by our inner critic or enthused by the silly kid inside of us. We contain multitudes and this series just puts them on the outside.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Hardly at all! We initially only filmed Grocery Store and Work it Out which was relatively straight forward. After Tribeca N.O.W. accepted it to their program in 2017, they asked for more episodes. Kate quickly polished up the Ugh and That Hat Tho scripts, and we shot it within two weeks along with the trailer that you see at the beginning which Sami wrote. It was quick and dirty and so much fun!
What type of feedback have you received so far?
It has been so heartening to hear what a universal feeling Woman evokes. We've received warm regards from everyone from Paul Feig and Paula Weinstein to a middle-aged African American man to your most basic of 20-something white girls. It won the Best of Fest and the Audience Award at the Women in Comedy Festival in 2018. It’s screened at Cascadia Festival where someone from Post Alley Festival saw it, put it in their programming, and we won Best Comedy! It’s been a surprising, wonderful ride.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The outpour of positive feedback has only encouraged us to believe in the project and what it can do.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Kate’s thesis statement for her work is to tell stories that make it easier to be human, make people feel less alone – that is what we hope to do here.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We currently developing Woman of a Certain Age as an expanded series. We are talking with productions companies and platforms for that show.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
We hope it helps people reconsider their thoughts - that feelings are not facts. These voices can be listened to or ignored but remember, we all have voices. You got this.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Kate is currently co-developing a pilot in Imagine Impact 3, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's content accelerator.
Amanda is in post-production for a short film Thirdy, and she produces the podcast Girls on Porn for the Head Gum network.
Sami is producing #MyAmericanPie, a multimedia collaboration that uses delightfully intricate and unexpected pies to explore modes of ethnic heritage and national identity; and in pre-production on Baby Curious, an experimental digital series that examines Millennials' transition to motherhood.
Interview: October 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
Woman Of A Certain Age
When Kate confronts the daily challenges of being an adult, she is spontaneously visited by versions of herself at different ages – each offering their “best” advice. Like “A Christmas Carol” but without the pesky morals, Woman of a Certain Age explores what happens when we actually listen to the voices in our head.
Length: 9:20
Director: Amanda Cowper and Sami Kriegstein
Producer: Amanda Cowper, Kate Dearing, Sami Kriegstein
Writer: Kate Dearing
About the writer, director and producer:
AMANDA COWPER is a Brooklyn based director and producer. She made her directorial debut with Woman of a Certain Age and the following year she directed Driver Ed which premiered at Tribeca N.O.W 2018. Amanda is currently the Field Producer at Late Night with Seth Meyers and has produced 250+ sketches. Amanda co-created and produces the podcast Girls on Porn for the HeadGum network.
SAMI KRIEGSTEIN is a director, producer and multimedia artist whose work has been featured on Refinery29, InStyle, Spotify, YouTubeRed, and more. She made her directorial debut with her Woman of a Certain Age. Her feature-length documentary Figures of Speech was recently acquired by Netflix. Currently, Sami serves as Executive Producer of Entertainment Partnerships at BBDO.
KATE DEARING is a creator/writer/actor in TV, film, and new media. She is the creator, writer, and star of Woman of A Certain Age. As an actor, she has worked on numerous series including High Maintenance, Good Neighbor Presents and The Outs. Kate is a founding member and co-president of the intersectional, feminist, progressive action group, Women To The Front. Currently, Kate is developing a pilot in Imagine Impact 3.
Key cast: Kate Dearing (Kate), Violet Tinnirello (Baby Kate), Sofia Happonen (Teenage Kate), Jennifer Bassey (Older Kate), Jacob A. Ware (Kate's Crush), Mike Steinmetz (Kate's Shitty Date)
Looking for: buyers
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Lady Filmmaker Festival/LA - 9/28