Making of
91 Minutes - HD – 15 Day Shoot
Locations: Manhattan, New York; Redding, Connecticut; Marlboro, New Jersey
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
There are three stories at the heart of Hello Lonesome and each one is personal to me in a different way.
One story is centered on Bill Soap, a character who lives and works from his home studio as a successful voice over artist. I wrote the role inspired by all the voice-over guys I’ve worked with as a promo producer. I think a lot of us wish we could have that kind of life. We cast real life voice-over legend Harry Chase as a gregarious bear of a man who loves to make waffles and work in his underwear, all the while regretful for being such a lousy father. (It’s worth noting that Harry happens to be a wonderful father, but does occasionally report to work in his underwear.)
I made a short film with the fabulous actress Lynn Cohen several years ago and knew that I wanted to work with her again and take full advantage of her talents. She is so young at heart that I thought it would be wonderful to see her in a romantic role.
I also wanted to create a strong independent female character so her journey would have to be peppered with the indignities of old age. I wrote this story about a fast driving widow just for her. I think I’ll always have a part for Lynn Cohen. In that way she’s my Uma Thurman.
The third story is most personal to me. I was inspired by my sister Lisa, who was in her 30’s when she met a guy online and then shortly after discovered she had advanced breast cancer. He married her and stood by her, though it’s bittersweet because they didn’t have enough time to see what kind of a team they could really become. I was just gob-smacked by the mixed feelings I had about their situation. Making this film has been an awesome way to explore that and tell my sister’s story at the same time.
Though the three threads do not connect literally, the characters pass a sort of emotional baton to each other. The result, I think, is complex but beautiful. I can’t wait to see how audiences react to Hello Lonesome because it was created to challenge hearts and minds, while making us laugh at the same time.
-Adam Reid
