Two ex-lovers meet at a rarely-used Aspen lodge to reignite their passions, but first they must confess their past sins.
Starring DAVID EBERT & KRISTA JENSEN
Directed by AMBER SCHAEFER
Written by KRISTA JENSEN & DAVID EBERT
Produced by SHANE OSGOOD
Cinematography by JORDAN T PARROTT
Edited by JOSHUA RATHMELL
This short comedy had our festival judges in hysterics with its witty dialog and unique style, making it one of our favourite films to screen at The People’s Film Festival this past March. While we were sad that we couldn’t meet this film’s creator in person, we’ve been emailing with director Amber Schaefer to ask her some questions about her film…
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THIS PROJECT:
I was drawn to the absurdity of the script and really any excuse to work with the talented real-life and on-screen couple Krista Jensen and David Ebert.
DID YOU HAVE ANY INVOLVEMENT IN THE SCREENWRITING PROCESS:
Krista and Ebert came to me with the script fully baked; they had performed it together as a sketch at UCB. I think I threw in a punch-up or two but my biggest contribution to the script was a little bit of tightening. Some of that happened in the edit.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO BRING THE SCRIPT TO LIFE:
We filmed this with a micro-crew, just our DP Jordan Parrott, an AC, a gaffer, a sound person, producer and that's it! We rented two cabins on AirBnB in the Poconos, one to sleep in and one to shoot in. The cabins were essentially unchanged since the 90s so we needed very little art to get the look we wanted. All we really did was throw around some rose petals and put some candles in the cup holders on the couch.
DID YOU HAVE ANY CREATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR WORKING ON A SMALL BUDGET:
Most people got into the industry because they care about the art of cinema and want to make meaningful work. Don't be afraid to ask for favors if it's a passion project. Don't do everything yourself, work with people you respect. Invest in a professional sound person. Film at locations that don't need a ton of art or a big build. Pad the schedule in case something goes wrong. It always does.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FILM'S BIGGEST SUCCESSES:
The film has a really unique and really consistent tone and thats thanks to Krista and Ebert's focused performances, our talented editor Josh Rathmell, and our Basic Instinct inspired music composition courtesy of Pond5, lol.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE FILMMAKING PROCESS:
I live in a fantasy but it's chill because it's my job.
SCREENING RECOMENDATIONS FOR QUARANTINE:
Lately I've been on a crime bender.
1. The Player - Robert Altman
2. After Hours - Scorsese
3. Millers Crossing - The Coen Brothers
4. Body Double - Brian De Palma
5. The French Connection - William Friedkin
You can check out more of Amber’s work at www.ambermakes.tv and follow her on Letterboxd
Interested in getting your work selected as Short of the Week?