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Suzee: What is this movie about?
Amanda Jane Stern: Perfectly Good Moment is about a couple, David and Ruby, who have been in an on-and-off again relationship for the last 8 years. When they first met, Ruby was 19 and David was 34. This time, Ruby has returned with more than a reunion in mind. You can view it here:
Suzee: Where did the idea for Perfectly Good Moment Come from? How long did it take you to write it and what was the process like?
Amanda Jane Stern: It was February, 2021 and I was sitting on my couch zoning out, thinking about being back on set, staring at my bookcase, and one of the first scenes sort of came to me. I opened up my laptop and started writing down what I was thinking. I then brought the seeds of this idea to Julian Seltzer who over the next day sat down with me and we wrote out the entire story together. After that, I wrote the script over the next 3 days and then started sending it around for notes. I'd met my co-star Stephen Carlile once before, so I wrote the male lead with him in mind, which definitely made writing his character easier since I could envision a specific person in it.
Suzee: I won't give away the ending - but did you draw inspiration for an ending like this from a favorite movie, play or something you heard?
Amanda Jane Stern: My overall inspiration for Perfectly Good Moment was what if Last Tango in Paris turned into Hard Candy, and then I just kind of ran with that.
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Amanda Jane Stern: I think women are having these discussions a lot nowadays about toxic relationships where everything isn't black and white. I've had a lot of women of all ages want to talk with me about how Ruby and David's relationship mirrored one that they or someone close to them experienced and it was cathartic for them to get to watch it through this lens.
I also grew up in the 1990s and early 2000s when we got a lot of these erotic dramas and thrillers where couples had large age gaps and they were always told from the male point of view, she was a seductress, a temptress, a wanton woman, and he's the poor schmo who got taken for a ride. When you really think about the dynamics we were being fed you have to pause and think, wait, this doesn't feel right.
Suzee: Let's talk about the making of the movie, which is always a HUGE undertaking. How long did it take to film it? Did you enjoy directing it? What were the challenges? Who were the people that helped you make it a reality?
Amanda Jane Stern: I am so thankful to our director Lauren Greenhall, I did not write this script with her, or any director in mind, which is pretty uncommon when you're undertaking a super low budget indie. I got connected to Lauren through the film's colorist Emily Bailey, who is a childhood friend of producer Julian Seltzer. Lauren is one of those directors who is amazing at working with actors and loves rehearsing and hashing everything out.
We filmed the movie over 9 1/2 days and then were in post for quite a few months. We filmed when Covid protocols were still in place, so that was an extra challenge and time commitment to testing and masking. But as far as the shoot actually went, because we'd prepared so much, it was really fun and pretty easy for me. Post was the most difficult, having to deal with licensing and music rights for our soundtrack.
Suzee: Many young filmmakers do a short film as a proof of concept. Did you do that?
Amanda Jane Stern: So I actually never really did the short-to-feature route, I jumped right in with a feature. My advice would be just do it, if you have a good script that you can shoot quickly and on a budget, get together with other creatives you like and trust and make it happen.
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| Amanda Jane Stern |
Suzee: Tell me what you are currently doing or any future projects.
Amanda Jane Stern: I have a new script for a horror movie called Beast with Two Backs that's been doing well in a few competitions. I co-host the film podcast Don't Be Crazy and I guest on a lot of other podcasts. I also produce true crime television shows, I'm currently working on New York Homicide season 3 for Oxygen.
Suzee: Tell me something about you:
Top 3-5 Favorite Movies-
Shadow of a Doubt, Road House, Hellraiser, Blue Velvet
A Few Series you are Watching now-
The White Lotus, School Spirits, High Potential, Hacks, What We Do in the Shadows
Best Advice you Were ever Given-
Approach everything with the confidence of a man, even if you don't really feel it.
How you Unwind-
I always have a book I'm in the middle of, sometimes more than one. Writing is both a job and a hobby, it helps me process feelings. I love taking long walks and exploring different neighborhoods. Yoga.
Best Meal in NYC-
So tough, there is so much I love. Uva on the Upper East Side is a favorite. Shrimp tacos at Los Mariscos in Chelsea Market.
Best Meal in London-
Last time I was in London my aunts took me to a restaurant called INKO NITO, I'm still thinking about it.
Best Thing About Being the Age you are Now-
I'm in my early 30s now and what I've realized is how much more comfortable I am in my own skin, and sure of who I am, than I was when I was younger.
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