Wiener
A meaty comedy about a college admissions tour gone wrong.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Editor Natalie Peracchio
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Wiener came from a desire not to take things too seriously. It was my final year of grad school and I was feeling the pressure of finishing my thesis and making it to graduation, so I wanted to work on something that was going to make me laugh as much as possible. I just loved the idea of creating a giant hot dog that could scream and run around like a cartoon character and just be a release valve for all the pressure I felt at the time.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you want to have a little chuckle but also sink into something with a sweet center, then this is the film for you! There's definitely a lot of absurdity happening but it's all wrapped around a heartfelt father/daughter story.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
This story started with me exploring a personal memory of touring colleges with my dad and feeling so uncomfortable in every space we went to. I started just collecting memories and moments from that trip we took together, and as I assembled them and analyzed those experiences, themes emerged around growing up, class differences, and substance abuse. It's always difficult to gauge how much of those intentions make it into the final edit or come through to an audience, but I think it's all there if you look closely.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The film evolved quite a bit with the introduction of the character of President Wiener. My initial story was a very grounded drama, which I wasn't too excited about. It felt like it was missing some brightness. One day this character popped into my head in the image of a screaming hot dog and I put it into the script. Everything kind of evolved from there! Wiener went from being animated and two-dimensional to being a 6-foot-tall life-size human/puppet hybrid.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I've had so much fun going to screenings and watching different audiences respond to this film! From the first time Wiener screams on screen there tend to be a lot of big reactions to the character. I've even been able to bring the costume to a couple of screenings and let people try it on and run around in it. It's very joyful to see people embrace that silliness and join in with it.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I've actually talked to a lot of parents after screenings about how they related to the father in the film, especially if they have teenagers or have been through the college admissions process with their kids. When I was writing the story, I felt I was very much in Simone's perspective, because that's part of the experience I've had, but sharing the film has really opened me up to the experiences and struggles of parents going through this process.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Wiener is having a great festival run and I'd love for the film to continue to reach audiences both online and in person! When we finish our in-person screenings we'll be looking for an online home so I'm currently exploring venues that might be a good fit!
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I'd love to continue to play in festivals, so programmers or directors and distributors who are looking for a coming-of-age comedy for their programs!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
It would make me happy to know this film has made someone laugh, lightened their day a little bit, or started a conversation between parents and children about growing up and what they want.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Can you be true to yourself and also be successful?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Our amazing costume designer, Claire Maske is finishing an incredible documentary project called The Angie Archive: https://clairemaske.com/angiearchivefilm.com
Our gaffer, Yichien Lee has a hilarious horror/comedy called Tail playing in festivals now: https://filmfreeway.com/TaiLxoxo
Interview: December 2023
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
Wiener
A meaty comedy about a college admissions tour gone wrong.
Length: 16:00
Director: Natalie Peracchio
Producer: Natalie Peracchio
Writer: Natalie Peracchio
About the writer, director and producer:
NATALIE PERACCHIO is an LA-based filmmaker with a background in production design and analog filmmaking. Her personal work explores themes of adolescence, persona, and transformation using analog film, puppets, and experimental techniques. She creates stories where imagination and reality can co-exist in silly and dramatic ways. Natalie's short films have screened at festivals across the US including the New Jersey Film Festival, Capital City Film Festival, Film Invasion LA, and others. They are also featured online in the Discover Indie Film series on Amazon Prime Video and NoBudge.com. Natalie grew up in Detroit, MI and earned a BA from Carnegie Mellon University and an MFA from Emerson College.
Key cast: Nanouli Shevardnadze (Simone), Marvin Novogrodski (Simone's Dad), Tomás Orrego (President Wiener)
Looking for: film festival directors, distributors
Instagram: @natperacchio, @president.wiener
Website: www.natalieperacchio.com
Funders: Self funded and gofundme (no longer up)
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
New Jersey International Film Festival/Rutgers, New Jersey - January 9; Grrl Haus Cinema/Boston, Massachusetts - February 28