When We Grow Up
An intimate and progressive short-from drama series following an ensemble cast of six ambitious creatives navigating their thirties in Los Angeles. This is a story of major life transitions, jaded hope, friendship and the search for radical authenticity.
Interview with MADELINE MACK, BECCA Q CO, TERI WYBLE
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
BECCA It’s a gorgeous opportunity to explore, embrace, and share my life experience as an artist, as an “adult” who never wants to grow up, and as a human who’s fought against being put into boxes/stereotypes my whole life.
TERI I believe that creating with friends and like-minded individuals who you truly vibe with, is where the magic happens. Besides the magic, we are also setting out to create some new social norms, rewrite the narrative, & give permission slips within our series.
MADELINE We know people will connect with our project because at the end of the day we are making a series that we all want to watch! Something that reflects our lives and struggles.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
BECCA When We Grow Up reflects the messy middle, the transition from one stage of life to the next that we don’t often see reflected on screen.
TERI Every aspect will pull you in- the cast, the fun, the feel-good, all while giving you a new perspective to your own life and some how-to’s (or how-not-to’s) on navigating this thing called life.
MADELINE Look, if you watch our show you are going to fall in love with our cast. It's not a relationship you are going to walk away away from.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
MADELINE The obvious theme is major life transitions of your 30’s but these same feelings come up every decade to some degree. It's ultimately a battle with time.
BECCA One theme I’m excited to dig into is expansion -- the way that people can grow and become more fully and deeply themselves. Sometimes we can surprise ourselves, and I can’t wait to explore this as a group.
TERI I think my favorite theme is the power of friendship & support. Our series shows that ‘figuring it out’ as we age doesn’t have to be done alone, and honestly none of us know what the hell we’re doing anyway. Might as well do it together.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
MADELINE Oh man, the writing process has been very cool. Something about casting before you write has a certain kind of magic to it. It feels like we are all channeling, like the story is telling us what it wants to be.
TERI It’s been the most unique process/project I’ve ever been a part of as an actor, thus far. With the cast being there from it’s creation, it’s allowing so much freedom, so many options to play out. For me, there’s also comfort in knowing how much I’m wanted there. Validation isn’t something actors get often.
BECCA It’s been a blast to dream up and collaborate on my character and her story, and feel the pieces come together naturally before we jump into the full blown writing of it all. It’s been a magical, supported, and loving creative process so far.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
MADELINE So when we launched the campaign people thought we had already made it! They thought we were releasing a trailer! But we had only shot a sizzle. It’s been very cool to see how excited everyone is to watch the show and how connected they feel to the story. It motivates us because we know this is a show people are hungry for.
TERI This project is SO current, yet feels timeless. We are only at the beginning, but folks can definitely see what a talented team we have put together already- And very consciously & thoughtfully! We are so stoked to get started!
BECCA Many Friends and family have poured out lots of love, support, and excitement for the show. Let’s go BIPOC and queer leads basking in the wonder and the chaos that is finding yourself again and again!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
TERI Although we haven’t made it yet, the big surprise is that even though our show is highly specific to our generation, it also has commercial value because the content is so universal. Originally, we set out to do this project completely independently, because we were tired of waiting for Hollywood to notice us. Sometimes you just gotta create what you’d want to personally watch yourself, and that’s the ticket.
MADELINE We obviously haven’t released it yet but this process has made us think a lot about how the values we are representing on screen need to also be reflected behind the scenes. It’s important to us that the cast are empowered creatively and have equal equity in the project. It’s an evolving process and we are all learning as we go how to best uplift, empower and employ marginalized voices. We are currently looking for another producer as well as writers and crew to join our family that might balance out the perspectives of our team. If that could be you, and the project speaks to you, please reach out! @madelinemack_
BECCA I don’t have an answer for this one. / What they said!
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
MADELINE In addition to the crew, we are looking for our audience. Right now we are crowdfunding and hope to release the show directly to the people that have supported us. If this is a show you want to watch please stay tuned by following @wwguseries
BECCA We hope to reach a wider audience with our experiential show, and build community by lifting each other up and sharing our stories and our love. #representationmatters
TERI We want to find all of those folks with similar taste as ours, and who also feel that meaningful, feel-good content is so much more satisfying to watch. I haven’t had this much confidence in a project, ever. Honestly. I know that what we’re creating will find its audience. And you will love us because of the love we have for YOU (our audience) !
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
MADELINE We need another private equity investor. We are ready to start connecting with buyers and distributors now too.
BECCA We are still looking to fill out our writers’ room, and are especially excited about finding BIPOC and queer voices! We are excited for any further collaborators and investors to join us and help us achieve our vision for the show.
TERI I like when someone finds us because of what we put out into the world. If you watch our sizzle, our interviews, and our website, and you feel that we are meant to be friends and be a part of our team, reach out!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
MADELINE We want our show to be enjoyed. Enjoyed by an audience that hasn't seen their stories on screen enough.
BECCA For me, this project will have been a success if we’re able to move people and make people feel seen and celebrated.
TERI I would love it if our show helped you to be ok with ‘growing up’. Adulting is hard, y’all.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
MADELINE When is taking big risks reckless and when is it brave?
BECCA What does it mean to bet on yourself and fight for your dreams?
TERI Does adulthood bring more questions than answers?
Would you like to add anything else?
MADELINE We have put a lot of work into our pitch deck and sizzle. We release content each week surrounding our themes. Check us out at wwguseries.com
BECCA I’m so grateful to be a part of this amazing team and I can’t wait to make this show a reality! Thank you so much to our supporters. I’d love to hear from anyone @beccaco.
TERI Reach out to me/us anytime! @TeriWyble
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
MADELINE This project is definitely my main focus, although I am also developing my first feature and two comedy series. Oh and I am attached to direct two short films in the fall. And if you are in LA, my film Baby Elephants will premiere at Hollyshorts August 24th!
BECCA I’m currently working on a short film called Honeywell that dives into self love, relationships, and second chances. I’m also working on a couple semi-autobiographical scripts.
TERI I’m currently flying to & from Atlanta on an HBO series called The Staircase, based off of the docuseries of the same name. Also creatively collaborating on a music video for Shanna Gilfix, the insanely talented musician who I get to call my fiancé.
Interview: September 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
When We Grow Up
Writer
While creators MADELINE MACK, BRANDON HAYNES, and MICHAEL LANDRY are the principal writers of the series, we are looking to complete our writers room with fresh voices. We have also included the cast in the writing process. Our collaboration fosters authenticity.
MADELINE is an Australian writer/director/producer known for Baby Elephants (2021), Sweet Heart (2019) Hot Water (2018) and Six Pack (2018).
BRANDON is a Urologist by day and writer/producer by night known for Nice To Meet You (2020) and Beginners Guide to Gardening (2020).
MICHAEL is a writer/director/producer known for Nice To Meet You (2020) and Beginners Guide to Gardening (2020).
Director
MICHAEL LANDRY will be leading the charge here directing the pilot and a handful of other episodes. Continuing in our collaborative approach, Michael is currently assembling an exciting team of fellow directors and visionaries who will all take turns behind the camera for many of the episodes. So far that includes award winning director MADELINE MACK and cast members BECCA Q CO and SHEOPATRA.
Producer
TIM BARNSLEY, ALVARO VALENTE
TIM BARNSLEY is a cinematographer from Sydney known for Nice To Meet You (2020), Inferno (2012) and She Rex: P.O.W.E.R (2013)
ALVARO VALENTE is an Italian- Belgium producer known for Across The Sea (2014), Night Comes On (2018) and Tu Me Manques (2020).
Key cast:
Jeremy Batiste, Teri Wyble, Sheopatra, Yorelis Apolinario, Nate Walker, Becca Q Co, Sam Asghari, Amiyah Scott
Looking for:
distributors, buyers, sales agents, journalists
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/wwguseries/
Hashtags used:
#wwguseries
More info:
Where can I watch it?
We go into production early November, follow @wwguseries for release dates.