Preggers
Isabella's life is flipped upside down after a chance meeting with a bruja.
Interview with Director/Producer/Editor Sylvia Ray
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Preggers was presented to me at the very beginning of the pandemic and when I was highly focused on developing feature films. Marco Parra, the writer, showed lots of enthusiasm for the story and how I'd be a good fit to direct it. I was a bit apprehensive at first because, not only was it a short film and I was trying to shift my efforts to features, but it was about abortion and written by a man.
After reading, I realized that I was a good choice for the film because it married drama and comedy and has a playful outlook on a topic that is important to me personally. I also was thrilled at the aspect of practicing my craft and doing what I love to do, which is to direct.
After seeing the potential of the script and as my brain was flooded with visual ideas, I knew I had to direct this film. And, as a women, this was my way to express my point of view on this highly debatable topic
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
PREGGERS uses satire and dark comedy to try and offer perspective on one of this country's most hot button issues. My hope is that it will not only entertain, but will also spark conversations about different challenges pregnancy presents to women and how men can be more empathetic to that reality.
While in post, I wanted to focus heavily on the journey of the audience. For women, I wanted them to have a cathartic experience. To see our character Carlos, be put through the ringer and get a taste of his own medicine, was actually therapeutic for me to direct and that was my focus for the women in my audience.
And for the men, I wanted them to cringe, stress, laugh, and then ultimately think and question what they would do in the same situation.
I hope that audiences ultimately feel like they were taken on an interesting ride by the end of the film.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
As an ambitious woman with children and responsibilities, I understand the pressures and stress that pregnancy can cause. Empathy towards women that face this tough decision was a key theme that I wanted to weave throughout the film. Women's empowerment is another theme I focus on personally and feel like should reverberate throughout the world. Women are extremely powerful and I often gravitate to tell stories about how women overcome their feelings of one worthiness and step into their power.
Women's health and women's right to choose is obviously a huge topic of the film as well. Through the rewriting phase, we focused a lot on weaving this point of view in without feeling like a broken record and showing a perspective that has already been seen.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Marco and I worked heavily together in the development stage. He took my notes so graciously and really valued my perspective and thoughts on the script. Together, we grounded the comedy and we zeroed in on Isabella, our protagonist, and her journey in the story. Although Carlos is the one that goes through a major transformation, it's ultimately her that is being heard in the end.
Post was also a time when the script evolved immensely. I decided to take a non-linear approach to the edit because it quickened the pacing a lot and brought a sort of mystery and anticipation for our audience. which helped in the storytelling.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I workshopped the edit a lot with my team and with the WIPS (works in progress) program through Alliance of Women Directors. Not only, did I get lots of helpful notes but I also got validation that this film is relevant now more than ever.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I was actually surprised to see the difference in notes between the men and the women. Because of the content of Preggers, the impact was different for both. I love this about our film and it really goes to show that we all have different journeys and take away different lessons from art.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Preggers is at the beginning of its festival run and I hope to be able to show it to as many people as possible.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
It would be awesome to get Preggers in front of more film festival directors, journalists and potentially buyers. Empathy for women is the main goal!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I'd like to get people talking about the topic of abortion and really get people to think about women's right to choose.
Another incredibly impactful aspect to our film is the truly diverse and inclusive team in front of, and behind the camera. With so much talk about the lack of Latine voices and women directors in the film industry we are happy to be showcasing both. With this film, we can show audiences and the industry that we not only belong BUT that we have plenty of things to say!
I'd also be incredibly happy to see the cast and crew to be acknowledged for their incredible work on this film and to skyrocket into bigger and better roles.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
The big question this film asks is, what if men can get pregnant and how would that change the makeup of this country?
Would you like to add anything else?
Here is a link to our EPK that may be helpful - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iwR8JeHnVa6o4MVer8azFtHw6bsXzaw0/view?usp=sharing
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I'm currently working on an anthology feature film with 6 other women directors called Through The Blinds. Our stories take place in one house through the decades. My decade is the 90s and is about Venice, a lonely 8-year-old girl, who strikes a life-changing friendship with her neighbor Hannah, who comes from a very religious family.
We explore the concept of women's fears and connections within a home. The ecosystem of our group is supportive and equally collaborative. As we all face the barriers of making a feature film, we are combining forces and doing it together.
You can check it out here : https://www.throughtheblindsanthology.com/
Interview: March 2022
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
Preggers
Length:
8:52
Writer
Marco Parra is an Actor/Filmmaker, born and raised in Nogales Arizona. Marco's acting credits include network shows such as: Showtimes critically acclaimed series SHAMELESS, John Singleton’s FX crime-drama SNOWFALL, Hulu/Freeform’s new PARTY OF FIVE and most recently THE SHRINK NEXT DOOR working alongside Will Farell and Paul Rudd.
Started his career acting in over 10 national commercials and as a regular sketch performer on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Other credits also include, writer and producer of multiple festival selected short films.
Director
Born and raised in Barstow, CA, Sylvia Ray is a filmmaker based in Los Angeles. With a Korean mother and a Chicano dad, Sylvia draws inspiration from her desert-town upbringing, travels abroad, her fashion background, and motherhood. Her focus is to tell stories that highlight women and people of color while bridging cultural and economic gaps in a truthful and entertaining way.
She is a fellow of HBO’s Tomorrow’s Filmmakers Today Program for Hola Mexico Film Festival in both 2019 and 2020’s Alumni Edition. Sylvia has directed several award-winning short films, music videos/commercials and web series episodes. Her short film LEN(N)Y was streamed to audiences on Pantaya and DISH Latino and her short film A Period Piece is licensed with and will stream on GenreTV.
Producer
Destinee Stewart is a filmmaker and actress known for WELL SPOKEN (a Vimeo Staff Pick), THE TRUTH OF US, and COFFEE SHOP NAMES (Tribeca '21).
Through her work, she creates a space for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ female artists that fosters connection and expression. Her breadth of work includes experience in directing, writing, acting, and producing. Influenced by her parents’ nonstop playing of gospel music and career as a nanny, her art comes from a place of spirituality and play. She lives by the quote "We were made from creation; therefore we were made to create."
Key cast:
Gabriela Ortega (Isabella), Marco Parra (Carlos), Itziar Martinez (Graciana)
Looking for:
buyers
Social media:
https://www.facebook.com/sylbialin
https://www.instagram.com/sylbialin/
Hashtags used:
#preggersfilm
More info:
sylviaraydirects.com
Film festivals:
30th Arizona International Film Festival (April 20-30, 2022)