Focus on AFI Conservatory - Juliet
JULIET tells a story of a transgender teenage girl Serena. As a new girl in her new school, she’s quiet and shy, but she still dreams of being Juliet in the school play – like all the other girls. When she decides to audition for the lead role, the competition is high and her peers make it almost impossible, but she finds the courage to stand in the spotlight and accept herself just as she is.
Interview with Director Irina Storozhenko
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
The Juliet project was always very personal to me and to all the principal team members. The story about a young transgender girl who desires to audition for Juliet in school play "Romeo and Juliet" has been in my head for a while.
However, the idea was fully born after my friend Jasmine Mosebar shared her story of being an actress during transition times. It moved me so deeply and mirrored my personal experience of teenage bullying based on the gender issues I’ve experienced in Russia.
Katherine D. May (the producer of the project) has a similar background to mine. Coming from Russia, we both know how hard it is for transgender people to make first steps (in countries like Russia it is almost impossible to live if you are a transgender person.) When I pitched the story to Katherine - she was very supportive and told me that we must do the story to support the community and inspire people in the world.
Wilandrea Blair (the screenwriter) is a mother of two kids who brought so much to the project by building an authentic story about complicated teenage life.
Sarah Anne Pierpont (the director of photography) has her theatrical experience which helped her to feel the character on a deep level and build the visual narrative according to the feelings of the protagonist.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
The prime goal of the movie was always to inspire people (especially teenagers) to believe in themself and always keep moving towards the dream.
Making a very subjective and personal piece is a step to let everyone feel like Serena feels. For some people this movie should be encouraging and for some - educative. Juliet is a step towards making the world more humane and supportive.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
This movie is a little miracle for me. The biggest theme of the movie is to let your voice shine. Coming from conservative Russia, it was crucial for me to be able to make this movie and stand up for my believes. On the universal level I believe it is very important for everyone to trust their feelings and let their voice to be heard.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Our development process was huge. We have gone through different time options and relationships between characters. There was an option of Serena and James being best friends; and option of Rosa and Serena being friends. There were drafts of the story when Serena was already cast and it was all about rehearsals. But we would always come back to the one-day concept. And finally we agreed to make it a day of auditions. Which now feels so right. Even though it is just an auditioning process, it really helped emphasize how important this moment is for teenagers .
The other big change was the ending: it has been a lot more dramatic in the beginning of development. But the more we were discovering Serena’s character, the better understanding we were gaining about the end of the movie being hopeful and encouraging. Now it’s hard to imagine how this movie would look like if we would have chosen another direction.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I have seen reviews and reactions of people from the community who just watched “Juliet” and I can tell - there is no bigger price or reward for me but to know that the movie feels authentic and really speaks to feelings and problems of youth. Considering recent challenges in the world, I sincerely hope that this movie will continue to inspire the young generation to be themself and rely on their own dreams and beliefs without thinking about others judging their steps.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The biggest great surprise was to see how people from different generations and background have been synonymously reacting to the movie. I would have never imagined seeing representatives from certain social groups being ready to cry after watching JULIET. I was amazed how the movie striked in the audience of all ages and nationalities.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would love to spread the word about JULIET and encourage people to see this movie.
As well as I would like to see if there are platforms/buyers who would be interested to release JULIET.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
It is always great to have publications about the movie. I feel that press helps people to hear about the project and develop and interest. In our particular case, we are looking for a great place to release JULIET after the movie finishes its film festival circuit.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope that this movie can make a change in the world. There are still people who do not understand and do not support the community. I hope this movie can help to change the situation on the global scale.
I believe this movie can help break stereotypes and make the world a better place.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I wish there will be a better world where everyone can just simply be who they are. I truly think there has to be no criterias or special accents on transgender actors. I believe there will be a fair time when it will be equal for everyone and people will stop saying “transgender actors” in the same way we never say “ cis-gender actors.”
There should be no criteria, gender separation or any other stereotypes in judging people and their art.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Producer Katherine D. May is currently working at HBO Max, and is also actively developing her first feature and producing a pilot.
Wilandrea Blair is wrapping up two national car commercials as a creative director and as screenwriter, she has just completed her latest comedy pilot, Wilandrea is also currently a semifinalist for The Writers Lab and was selected to be a member of the inaugural class of The Writers Guild Foundation writer's program.
Ira Storozhenko is finishing another short film made in AFIC.
Ira is working on a feature version of JULIET and hopes to share more exciting news soon.
Interview: July 2021
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
Juliet
Length:
14:54
Writer
Wilandrea Blair
Wilandrea Blair is a recent graduate of the AFI Conservatory screenwriting program. While there, she focused on writing TV comedy, completed three thesis projects, served as a teaching assistant and mentor. Before attending the AFI Conservatory, Wilandrea was an award-winning creative director in advertising and a broadcast news writer/producer. Hailing from Flint, Michigan, Wilandrea has a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Michigan, a 150-pound mastiff and a slight obsession with soccer and basketball.
Director
Irina Storozhenko
Ira Storozhenko is a recent graduate of the AFI Conservatory directing program. Ira came to Los Angeles from Moscow, Russia. She started her career in film with a documentary when she was just 17 years old. Until this day, she finds the biggest inspiration for her movies in the stories of real people. Lover of psychology, Ira is also very interested in non-fiction, nature and ancient history. Ira’s debut, a documentary short, was screened at the Moscow International Film Festival; Ira’s narrative short "Masterpiece" has played at thirteen film festivals around the world, including Foyle Film Festival.
Producer
Katherine D. May
Katherine D. May is a Russian/American producer and writer based in Los Angeles. Prior to AFI, she had worked at NBCUniversal, Hulu and Snap Inc. where she produced and managed a wide range of projects, from marketing campaigns for studios and global brands, to augmented reality. During her time at the AFI Conservatory, Katherine has collaborated with writers, editors & cinematographers to create 5 narratives shorts and 2 visual essays. Her greatest passion lies in finding and telling stories inspired by true events. Katherine is a recent graduate of the American Film Institute Conservatory producing program, class of 2020.
Key cast:
Reise Alexander (Serena), Marc Hills (James), Trew Mullen (Rosa)
Looking for:
sales agents, distributors. buyers, journalists
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/julietthefilm/
Hashtags used:
#julietthefilm
More info:
Made in association with:
AFI Conservatory