1) Can you talk briefly about your background, and how you first got interested in filmmaking?

I started out making weird art-house films in college, I think I got an honorable mention at the graduation screening for a silent slapstick 16mm piece. From there, I started writing comedy sketches with words! I turned those sketches into a web series and became addicted to materializing my imagination onscreen.

2) What was the initial idea for this project and how did it evolve from there?

This is my second proof-of-concept short, after 2018's Main Blessings, for a feature I wrote after coming out of a coma due to brain injury (true story).  Both films were born out of darling scenes I was forced to cut from the feature. It was my way of saving them. The progression, however, ended up mimicking where I was in my recovery. If Main Blessings was about the struggle to re-enter society and build a new identity, Main Absolves is about dropping that struggle. It was a complete change in perspective on the varied reactions I got to my first film, but also to my developing brain. Essentially, I discovered, and hopefully you will too after watching it, everyone just has their dick in their hand. 

3) What was the biggest challenge in making this film? And the easiest part?

Where I was in my recovery when making this, there was no way I could endure 14+ hour production days. I had to be super diligent and detailed on my pre-production and planning to be able to fit everything into eight-hour film days. 

The easiest was definitely choosing my favorite tracks from a playlist my music supervisor, Dave Sutton from Stadiums and Shrines, made for me of girl-fronted, psych-fuzz bands to be in the movie. I was like a kid in a candy shop.

 4) What’s a film you’ve seen recently, new or old, that you really loved and why?

The Trouble With Harry. A rare comedy made by Hitchcock. Having shaken hands with death myself and realizing he's really not all that tough, I'm drawn to material that finds the humor in, or takes a more blithe perspective on the matter. This film is absurd in all the right ways and the technicolor against the fall leaves is beautiful to watch.

5) What’s next for you?

I'm getting ready to shop around the feature script this was all in-service to! Though, since things work nicely in threes, I'm thinking of making a third short film in this series anyway. I do have plenty more killed darlings that need saving.

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www.abigailbruley.com

IG: @brulesey