In the cringey comedy, “A Good Dinner Party,” by director Zane Rubin, a group of L.A. friends discuss the possibility of taking their friendship to the next level. We asked Rubin her thoughts on dinner parties, awkward sexual scenarios, and what comes next for her…

1) Can you talk a little bit about your background, and how you first got interested in performing and making movies?

I'm from LA. When I was in my early teens I got super into comedy and decided that was what I wanted to do. Comedy and acting. But after a bit, I realized that the life of a stand up comedian wasn't really something I wanted to sign up for. Acting wise, there were and still are, no roles for young women like me. That's how I started writing. I wanted to make stuff that would allow me to act and be in it. Create female characters that are funny or schlubby-- and not defined by their sexuality.

2) What about this project? How did it start, and how did it get rolling?

I really just wanted to make a short that challenged me. I always loved dinner table scenes so I decided to create a perfect setting for a ridiculous dinner. I wrote it and shared it with my producer Rob who encouraged me. We were then able to raise a bit of money to make it. 

3) I watched a previous film of yours, “The Last Virgin in L.A.” as well, which is also about an awkward sexual situation. What compels you to create films about sex, and how do you approach it? Is it as difficult as it seems, or is it cathartic in a way?

There is so much female comedy that is sex based. Women were oppressed and unable to talk about that stuff for so long-- that now I think the pendulum has maybe swung a little far in the other direction. Both films are just reactionary to that-- and wanting to create female characters who aren't having sex. Because not everybody is. 

So with The Last Virgin in LA I was really trying to show what it felt like to be a virgin in a sex obsessed culture. How awkward that is and how people treat you. With this film I was satirizing a politically correct LA culture. I started to imagine what it would be like if you didn't want to have an orgy. The idea that people would be mad at you for that made me laugh with discomfort. I wanted to weigh both sides equally before pulling a Larry David and having it be all my character's fault. 

4) Expectations of orgies aside, do you enjoy dinner parties of this nature? What would your ideal night with friends look like?

No? I don't know. I like smaller groups of people and good conversation. It's always nice to have a drink or two also. 

5) What else are you working on at the moment?

So many things! None of which are about sex if I may add. I'm writing a horror movie. I just directed a pilot presentation for JASH. I'm developing and pitching a few different TV shows. And in a few days I'm shooting two shorts for instagram. 

Contact Info:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/zanesrubin

IG: @zanesrubin