Sat. Apr. 28, 4:00pm
THE DATING GAME
STUCK – FEATURE NARRATIVE
Synopsis: A down on her luck woman decides to win her ex-boyfriend back by moving in with him and his fiancé. Heather Matarazzo; Joel McHale; Felicia Day; Christina Moore; Kirsten Vangsness; Jillian Armenante, Director. Adult situations. USA
“Just keep being a maker. Do your own thing and collect good people along the way. Eliminate bad relationships and work toward building positive relationships with like minded people who want to put good work out into the world for the right reasons.” —Jillian Armenante
Questions by Kaylene Peoples | Responses by Jillian Armenante, Award-Winning Director/Writer/Producer
Jillian, you are an actor, writer, director, producer, multi-award-winner, and honored for your achievements. You have a list of credits that most people couldn’t imagine conceiving for themselves. How do you manage it all?
I am a multitasker. I have always had to keep all fronts moving forward. As someone who came up through producing, directing, writing and acting in theatre which always had a production deadline looming, you learn to be swift and efficient in all things. There’s nothing like a live audience showing up to get you to finish something on time! ha!
Tell me about how you got involved in Stuck?
I had won NewFilmmakers LA Best Director and Best Feature and the people at NewFilmmakers set me up with the writers who had liked my aesthetic on Kittens in a Cage.
What was it like working with the cast?
People come to play on a project like this. Because it is not a huge studio film the actors get to really rip it. Many of them I had worked with before. We didn’t really have funds for a casting director so I tapped some old pals. I had worked with Joel McHale back in Seattle a million years ago and I had acted for Felicia Day on the Guild and she was in my project Kittens in a Cage. I’ve known Constantine since he was 4 years old as we grew up on the same block in New Jersey!
Did you have any challenging moments during the production of Stuck?
We had too many challenging moments, honestly. Our grip truck died on the morning of a big location shoot on a day that we had a hard in and out. We got shut down for a permit issue and rogue filmed in a garage while pretending to pack up. We had a naked scene in the film and to make the actress more comfortable I ripped my shirt off and directed the scene topless. You do what you gotta do to get the scene in the can.
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Truthfully, my mom was losing her battle with cancer during the entire shoot which made all the other challenges trivial at best.
Do you have a favorite scene in the movie? If so, why?
I really enjoy the first “urine test” scene in the film. I loved shooting it and trying to figure out the best way to convey the story in post.
You’ve had a prolific career.
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What are some of your best moments?
I loved playing Melony in the 8 hour theatre version of The Cider House Rules, I had a blast shooting Girl, Interrupted and I have remained close with the cast and director of North Country. And my time on Judging Amy made a family that will last a lifetime. Being and actor is like being in a wandering nomadic tribe. You build relationships and families with each project. The work is great but the relationships that result are the true reward.
Was there a particular event or time that you recognized that filmmaking was not
just a hobby?
Nothing is a hobby when your life savings is on the line! Go big or go home.
Do you find being a female in a predominantly male industry challenging? How have your experiences shaped your career?
I have watched my male counterparts be given directing opportunities despite my award-winning career for decades. Awards are nice but you can’t really eat them.
What advice would you give an emerging female filmmaker today?
Just keep being a maker. Do your own thing and collect good people along the way. Eliminate bad relationships and work toward building positive relationships with like minded people who want to put good work out into the world for the right reasons.
What is your process when you direct?
It is a delicate balance between preparing the ultimate shot list that pushes your story forward and being adaptable to environment and circumstance on the fly. The director is like the center of the octopus that controls all eight legs in working toward a common goal to be able to move forward. You want to have your own vision but enable others to bring their A game. Each department brings their own artistry and you have to nurture and support their talent while pushing forth your own vision. I like to take advantage of the skilled artisans around me.
What inspires you?
Risk takers. People who push the line and put it all out there in their performance and in life.
Any last words?
Anybody looking to represent an award winning female director? Asking for a friend.
Visit Artemis Women In Action Film Festival for Screening Information. The film festival runs through April 26-29, 2018! Get your tickets for Stuck.
