5 Questions with Amber Schaefer
The uproarious romance noir, “It’s Been Too Long,” is the story of two ex-lovers who meet at a lodge to reignite their passions. We asked director Amber Schaefer about the origins of the project, adapting a sketch into a film, and the importance of horniness…
1) Can you talk briefly about your background, and how you first got interested in filmmaking and comedy?
It all started when my father got the family a hi8 camera on the Christmas of 1993; I was six. I immediately began making satirical videos--editing in camera-- and essentially never stopped. I do think my work has improved since I started using editing software though.
2) This was written (brilliantly) by Krista Jensen and David Ebert. At what stage did it come to you? What was your first impression reading it? Could you immediately imagine the tone, or was it a bit more of a process to find it?
Krista and Ebert came to me with this after they'd already performed it as a sketch with UCB and probably rehearsed it a million times as foreplay (they're married). My first impression reading it was, wow, this is so fucking weird. My second impression was hell yeah this is so fucking weird, let's make it! I immediately wanted to place it in a neo-noir sexual thriller, probably because, like all sexual thrillers, the fundamental tension of the script is: will they fuck? Spoiler alert, they don't. :(
3) I’d love to hear a bit about the filming of this. Was it as fun to film as it seems like it would be?
Fun yes, but also challenging. The palpable sexual tension made it difficult for us to focus on our jobs. It was far too erotic.
Also, was there a memorable line or bit, that for whatever reason, you didn’t end up using? Or any other last minute changes that improved the overall film but you were sad to see go?
Ebert and Krista are expert improvisers and came up with some great lines that had us dying on set. But the edit ended up being very close to the script. One of my favorite improvised lines that ended up on the cutting room floor was Krista walking in the door saying: "I just don't think there's that much meat on a bald eagle." Ultimately it didn't serve the narrative....but I think about it all the time.
4) What’s a film you’ve seen recently, new or old, that you really loved and why?
I just rewatched Once Upon a Time in the West and damn is it good. Watching Spaghetti Westerns is how I unwind. The pace is so relaxing.
5) What’s next for you?
It's Been Too Long, THE FEATURE FILM. I think---especially in the current political climate-- it's really important for people to see really horny people, especially women, depicted on screen. I feel compelled to make the film, not just for us, but for our daughters and our granddaughters. I want them to live in a world where it's OK to be as horny as Bufinda and Chaniel.
Contact Info:
IG: @whimsylohan
TWITTER: @whimsylohan