HEY YOU, IT’S ME
versa. Why not expand your knowledge? The raw nature of the series draws me in. Was this the goal from the start? Suzanne: Yes, though I’m not sure I defined it as such. It was important to me that these characters have the ability to laugh through pain, and I think there is something quite raw in that. There is always pain in life, but there is also joy, love, and laughter. I look for the comedy in difficult situations. I guess you could call that my means of survival. The show talks about female age openly. How do you plan to further this industry storyline? Christie: As I said, being this age in this industry is what motivates Charlie, and what motives me. I guess I don’t even think about it as a storyline so much as it defines these characters’ experiences. I think just facing the reality of the situation and the current nature of the industry, it simply is the storyline. Any of the situations within the series from personal experience? Christie: Nearly all of them to some degree. For example, in the pilot episode, Charlie auditioned in the world’s smallest kitchen. That came directly from a voicemail I left Suzanne about auditioning in a storage closet. Charlie’s part-time jobs as a server and a sexual health advisor are based on real part-
time jobs I had. Of course the most personal experience is the friendship between Sam and Charlie. Everyone should get to be so lucky to have a friend like Sam, which is why I am so grateful that I get to have a friend like Suzanne. Why do you believe Hollywood will not give female directors a shot at larger films? Frankie: That’s a great question. Do you know the answer? There is a revolution happening right now. The tides are starting to turn, and it’s about time. The ACLU and several other organizations are speaking up, so hopefully that question won’t be asked in the future. When we turn on specials about the “greatest directors of all times”, and we see a list of 20, maybe our daughters can see at the very least two women on that list. Not to take away from the boys and their success, but let’s see something other than white men on all these lists. You recently finished “Humane Treatment”. Can you tell us about this project, and your directing style? Frankie: “Humane Treatment” is an 8-episode, super short series about a dog therapist who needs more therapy than her clients. Again, we are incorporating a ton of improv, and the best stuff happens after the scene ends. I love what happens when everyone else cuts. Let the camera roll, keep it going, then the good stuff comes out.
INDIE SOURCE MAGAZINE APRIL 2016
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