Nice To Meet You
A recently separated couple meets up to discuss the husband's "coming out" and the subsequent end of their marriage. This reunion awakens feelings of bitterness, remorse, and love.
Interview with Writer/Director/Editor Michael Landry and Writer/Producer Brandon Haynes
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
BRANDON - Upon meeting Michael, hearing his story, and understanding that he wanted to share it, I felt compelled to make this film with him. He’s always wanted to direct films, and I believed strongly that this story, his story, would resonate with audiences. So I said “Great! We’re going to make this movie,” and we started writing immediately.
MICHAEL - A friend of mine encouraged me to always tell stories that I know, that are personal, and that have something to say. I knew that telling this particular story was a bold decision and there was some fear at the beginning of the journey for sure. But quite often in life, fear can be a good sign that you are headed in the right direction.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
BRANDON - Well I’m biased, but the film is beautiful! The acting, the music, the cinematography— everything was crafted with so much love. I could not be more thrilled with the finished project. You should watch the film because it’s real. It’s a true story, and I believe that it’s an important one.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
BRANDON - The themes are personal because the film reflects Michael’s life as it was just before he and I met. Although there is a “coming-out” story within Nice To Meet You, it is not focused on that specific experience. At the core of the movie are the universal themes of love, loss, regret, and hope. It examines what it means to love someone fully, and the painful reality that sometimes love is not enough to keep two people together.
MICHAEL - I really wanted to explore the nuanced duality of a relationship ending. Things are not always good-guy-bad-guy, it’s often way more complicated than that. We wanted to go beyond that typical breakup film, and find a way to tell the story in which people understand and feel for both characters.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
MICHAEL - The film started out as Grayson’s story, and very much from his perspective. During the writing process, we decided to move towards giving both Grayson and Sarah equal representation in the script. However, in the editing room, it became clear to us that their story was actually best told from Sarah’s perspective. I love this part of filmmaking, the constant evolution of a story that wants to be told.
BRANDON -I think that the film is stronger from Sarah’s perspective. The exercise of compassionately telling a break-up story from your partner's perspective is brave. I feel like there’s an honesty and vulnerability there that may have been missed if Michael chose to focus on his story without highlighting hers.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
BRANDON — It’s been overwhelmingly positive. My favorite feedback is when people tell me that the film made them emotional which is not easy to do in 10 minutes.
MICHAEL — The first time someone told me they cried while watching it, I was over-the-moon! I felt this was quite the compliment for a first-time filmmaker. I’ve had people reach out to me after seeing the film to let me know that the story spawned deep discussion amongst their partners and friends. I’ve also been told by audience members that they want to see more of Grayson and Sarah’s story. They are always happy to hear that we are tinkering around with a feature-length version of the film.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Because of the pandemic, we haven’t really had the ‘normal’ festival experience where we get to speak with audience members face to face after seeing the film. Therefore, the feedback we get is from people who have reached out to use through email or on social media. Luckily, it has all been pretty positive. We are so proud of this film and everyone who helped bring it to life, and can’t wait for more people to see it.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We are interested in finding our audience to connect with now that our film is finally available online for all to see. This is our first film project, and we are committed to telling more stories like this. Our newest project, a series called When We Grow Up was also recently featured here on wearemovingstories.com.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We would love to get this film in the hands of more film festival directors, journalists, and anyone else who can help get the word out. As a creative duo, we have big plans and many more stories to tell so we are interested in finding representation to help us find the right avenues and connections to continue creating.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
MICHAEL: I believe we are so far behind in queer representation in film, that we are honored to be a part of closing that gap. I would hope that anyone who may be in a similar situation or in a relationship that is ending for one reason or another sees a bit of themselves in this film. I hope they see that being honest is important, even when that honesty comes at a cost.
BRANDON: I am drawn to stories exploring masculine vulnerability. Despite socialization towards a monolithic “show no emotion” approach to manhood, I want to give men permission to be their complete selves. Let’s normalize men opening up to their partners, friends, and family. Let’s accept that male sexuality exists on a spectrum. Let’s reject the notion that men don’t cry. I believe that this film showcases an aspirational depiction of that kind of masculinity.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How do you tell the person that you love the most a truth that has potential to hurt them or end the relationship? How do you end a relationship with love for each other? Is it ever too late to figure out your true authentic self?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We are currently developing an exciting new series called When We Grow Up with filmmaker Madeline Mack (Director - Sweet Heart, Six Pack) and Alvaro Valente (Producer - Night Comes On). When We Grow Up is an intimate and progressive short-form drama series following an ensemble cast of six ambitious creatives navigating their thirties in Los Angeles. It is a story of major life transitions, jaded hope, friendship, and the search for radical authenticity. We are currently crowdfunding as well as prepping to shoot our first episode in January. To learn more please visit wwguseries.com or follow us at instagram.com/wwguseries.
Interview: November 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
Nice To Meet You
Length:
11:06
Writer
Kyle Russell Clements, Brandon Haynes, Michael Landry
KYLE RUSSELL CLEMENTS is an actor, writer, and director known for his role as John Bowers in DC's Doom Patrol. He is also the writer and director of the award-winning short films Silo and My Father's Son. He wrote Nice To Meet You with first-time writers BRANDON HAYNES and MICHAEL LANDRY.
Director
Michael Landry
Nice To Meet You, MICHAEL LANDRY's directorial debut, is based on true conversations and events surrounding his own coming out experience and the subsequent close of his 6-year marriage. Michael currently lives in Los Angeles with his partner BRANDON HAYNES. Together they are currently developing a new series with filmmakers Madeline Mack and Alvaro Valente called When We Grow Up.
Producer
Brandon Haynes, Elena Greenberg
ELENA GREENBERG has worked as a coordinator on shows like Will & Grace and Call Your Mother. She worked together with first-time producer BRANDON HAYNES to pull together this three-day shoot in Shreveport, LA.
Key cast:
Teri Wyble (Sarah), Mike King (Grayson)
Looking for:
journalists, film festival directors, distributors
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/michael.landry.5036
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nicetomeetyou_film/
More info:
https://www.nicetomeetyoufilm.com
You can watch Nice To Meet You on Vimeo; Online Premiere via Film Shortage - 11/22