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

Beth: Troop Beverly Hills? I think it’s Troop Beverly Hills. I studied theater at the University of Michigan & spent my 20’s in NYC doing theater and stand up. I hosted a live internet comedy show for a few years that led me to creating weekly video sketches for my YouTube channel. In a world of so much waiting - auditioning and waiting to see if you got the part, and filming and then waiting a year to see it on tv - it was so fulfilling and so thrilling to be able to write down an idea, make it, and share it, like, the next day. I’ve since moved to Los Angeles for work, and still, my little YouTube channel (BethInShow !) is a huge creative outlet for me. 

Nicole:  I got interested in filmmaking really young. I started making my own stuff as a teenager, and would volunteer on indie films and music video sets in the DC area where I grew up. I went to FSU for film school and then moved to New York after. In those early days out of college, I produced a feature film with my dear friend who is an incredible writer/director. That project was really hard and really fun; making a movie with our friends with too little money. After that I started working at YouTube, which has been my job for almost ten years. I’ve continued writing and directing throughout that time, and this is my third short film in recent years as a director. 

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

Beth: I was sitting behind a nun on a bus in NYC and I had this idea that underneath her habit was the longest braid EVER. That’s really what it was. I just planned to shoot a little sketch on my own of that gag. But in writing it, I really had to figure out who she was, because (to me at least) nuns are super mysterious! I added the other main character -- based around my incredulity that makeup artists have to carry around suitcases -- and had Nicole read it just for fun. BUT THEN Nicole sent me an email back about five pages long with ideas on themes and structure and production and I thought: Holy Shit! This could be a real thing! 

Nicole: Beth’s mind is brilliant. When I read her script I lost my mind, and was so excited. It was surprising and funny and delightful. I thought the characters were incredible and started to see what the world could be like. I was glad when she was open to doing this together and developing it with me.  Beth got the script to really click, and then the production really began to come together when I sent it to Shoniqua and she was down to be a part of the project.

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

Beth: We wanted/needed to shoot on an abandoned, dystopic looking street. That’s harder to find than you’d think in Los Angeles! There’s always parked cars or street signs or playgrounds across the street (we shot when children still used to play outside on playgrounds). Once we finally found the perfect street, we had these issues: no outlets, no bathrooms, no shade, a heat wave, no $10,000 to help out with these. Oh, also Nicole was 8 months pregnant.

The EASIEST part? Anything to do with Shoniqua. (Shandai, the co-star)

Nicole: Beth mentioned it, but I was so pregnant, and so determined we had to shoot before I had the baby. We were two weeks out from shooting, and the forecast was brutal - it was going to stupid hot.  I called Beth and was just like, I can’t do it right now - it would be irresponsible. That really sucked, I really didn’t want to let her down! We kept things alive and set a new date and shot just 8 weeks after the baby was born.  The first easiest part was finding chemistry between Beth and Shonqua. They are perfect. The second easiest part was returning that yellow bench to Design Within Reach. Great customer service. 

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

Beth: Okay, this is a little obscure, but have you heard of this film called Jerry Maguire? I just re-watched it this weekend. It holds up! I think what really makes it a gem is each character’s intensity. They are all on the verge of desperation, but the laughs are placed in just the right moments to make it enjoyable rather than stressful. 

Nicole: The masterpiece that is Portrait of a Lady on Fire. The movie wrecked me. I am a sucker for a period piece, and this was a perfect film - gorgeously shot, brilliant performances, and the heartbreak! I sobbed ugly tears watching it.

5) What’s next for you?

Beth: Honestly, when auditions and all work dropped out I kind of did as well. Started focusing on other things and learning new trades! But something about the fall - New School Year - has me feeling the waves of creativity & I’m writing ridiculous, fun short things for my YouTube channel, as well as tackling a screenplay I started five years ago -- sorry, I mean in February.

Nicole: I’m juggling work and the kid, and slowly I’m writing. I’m developing a TV show based on a project I did with Refinery 29 & Level Forward, and working on ideas for my first feature. 

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NICOLE EMANUELE IG @coleemanuale | FB www.facebook.com/nicole.emanuele.79 | TW @ColeEmanuale

BETH HOYT IG @beth_hoyt FB www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=2224285 TW @thebethhoyt