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S4E140: Surviving the Film Industry: Lessons from Rust and Beyond
No families, families are great. It's just sometimes. there is just a couple, you got a couple of dummies. That is what it is.
Christine Chen
It's not that. It's just everybody's different and, and communication is different.
Adam Rani
Yeah, that's true. You know, it's a there's a there's a generational difference. But ladies and gentlemen, this is episode 40, 40 weeks of this wonderful, beautiful podcast with my wonderful mentor and my, my master if you will.
Christine Chen
Oh, whatever.
Adam Rani
The Jack of all trades. Um, yeah, dude. How are you? How's it hanging? You got an entire cast?
Christine Chen
Yes, I'm so excited. So, it's been really interesting. Because as you know, if you're not in Texas, or the really the southern area we just experienced, like the weirdest snow freeze apocalypse thing.
Adam Rani
Yeah, we can touch on this.
Christine Chen
Yes. Yeah. To give some context.
Adam Rani
Yeah. Just give some context.
Christine Chen
Yes. And so, it's been a week where people haven't, a lot of people haven't had water or had electricity or a combination of both. I got lucky. I have a very, I think I'm extremely lucky person. Kelly will attest to this, but I left Kelly's place. I've been crashing at two of my friends’ places for this production that I'm in, in Austin, Texas. And I tried to not bother her too much. She's you know, she's married, they got like their own happy family life. So, I bother my single friend who you know, he has no family. It is just him; you know, eats chip every day and stuff like that. So, like, it's he's not gonna have to cook meals.
Adam Rani
He eats chips every day. Making him like a piece of shit. How dare you? I eat chips every day.
Christine Chen
I'm just saying when you're single, there's less to interpret. Does that make sense?
Adam Rani
Yeah, that makes sense. I'm just giving you shit. I just it was there was like a slight fat joke in there and I got offended.
Christine Chen
It was not a fat job, it was more that when you're single, your life isn't as easily interruptible because you are single.
Adam Rani
No, but I mean yes.
Christine Chen
You would only be beholden to yourself. So, like.
Adam Rani
Absolutely
Christine Chen
So, if I cook something, it's not going to interrupt like a family dinner plan or anything like that. And anyway, so I try to stay out of my married friends lives as much as I can so that I'm more of a ghost. And I don't want to be burden.
Adam Rani
Because you are in their bubble. I get it. Yeah, I get it.
Christine Chen
I moved over to Carl's. And Carl's place has been great, it had waterpower, everything. Meanwhile at Kelly's like I don't need power.
Adam Rani
I was I was talking with Kelly too. And she even posted on Instagram. Have you seen her little boomerang of her melting ice, it was fun, just boiling ice?
Christine Chen
So, it has been a variety of experiences meanwhile juggling another production as well. But that production was put temporarily on hold. Because obviously, the weather conditions, so it kept moving. We were going to start on Saturday. No, we were going to start we were actually going to start on Thursday. Then it became Saturday, then it became Sunday. Now we're actually sending them starting on Monday. So
Adam Rani
which is I mean; I feel like everywhere in Texas.
Christine Chen
Oh yeah. I am not complaining. I actually was like, this is sweet, because I can work on my own stuff.
Adam Rani
I mean, yeah, there was a little bit yeah, I guess there's a point that like that's a good point. Because during this power outage, it did feel a little bit like well, this is out of my control now. So now like I can't, I'm not saying I'm glad for this power outage. But it did give me time to just understand like, oh yeah, shit is just never going to be the way I want it to be. You know, I'm saying.
Christine Chen
Yeah, yeah.
Adam Rani
And I just got to make do with what I got around.
Christine Chen
Make do with what you got.
Adam Rani
And I got a shit ton of writing done dude, because what am I supposed to do? I had no power. I couldn't. I couldn't do shit. All I had was a notebook in my mind. So, I'm just like, fuck it. I'm just gonna write whatever.
Christine Chen
That's how I treated it to. It was a I can't control anything so I might as well do what I can control.
Adam Rani
Don't get me wrong. I had my nervous breakdowns. I had panic attacks. I was crying. Yeah, dude, I had all that. And then when I got through it, I was like, oh, on the other side. It's like I'm I have I have this and a fucking pencil and a candle. We're living in the stone ages. It is what it is. I'm kidding. But I am glad people if anybody here in Texas is safe and good and warm and powered and all that stuff. That's what we want here in the podcast, because that was no joke that Texas storm was fucking.
Christine Chen
It is still sucking for a lot of people.
Adam Rani
Yes. Especially businesses and stuff. So yeah, well, our hearts go out. Yeah,
Christine Chen
This was more just like, this is how I made lemonade out of lemons, I guess.
Adam Rani
Exactly. Just like how we did in the beginning of the corona, you know?
Christine Chen
Yeah, just luckily, I tend to be a person that goes into hyper overdrive productivity during crisis times.
Adam Rani
Which is a superpower that I wish I have Christine. You know, I'm saying, like, I get that to a certain degree, but nothing like because what you do is your mind just spins and it just goes, Okay, I can pivot, I can do whatever, I'm gonna do this, this, this, and this. And this. For me. I'm in sheer panic mode. And I'm like, I don't know.
Christine Chen
That is a one personality trait. I don't know what you call it, a personality trait. I'm very thankful for that. The way I handle stress is actually.
Adam Rani
You handle it with space.
Christine Chen
It's a very positive way of handling.
Adam Rani
Yeah.
Christine Chen
People would like to have that on a day-to-day basis. I have on a day-to-day basis, and it's heightened when I was super stressed.
Adam Rani
Oh, you're a first AD. You can’t break.
Christine Chen
Yeah, so that was so I was like, I put into hyper overdrive production.
Adam Rani
Yeah, dude.
Christine Chen
So, I we have a second edition of get Reelisms coming out soon.
Adam Rani
I wasn't, I was gonna ask you that. I wasn't sure if you want to do it this week. That's why I was like.
Christine Chen
It's coming out.
Adam Rani
It's coming. We're doing it. It is coming, ladies and gentlemen. We're doing it.
Christine Chen
I worked on it this whole time in, it is, we're gonna, we’re ordered. We just ordered some fruit. To check to make sure it looks good. We have new products coming up too, stickers. it is going to be awesome. I got excited, I designed like 13 different stickers.
Adam Rani
Wow.
Christine Chen
What happens?
Adam Rani
I mean, yeah, fuck it. That's awesome, some pre merch.
Christine Chen
Yeah, some merch. So, I'm really excited about that. And then we also have our full cast hopefully, for originally, my feature film, so which is also very, very excited. And that was just also stressful because we like crammed it all on one day. So, I think we started doing reads at 12:45 and then I didn't, we didn't end till 9:10pm at night. That was how much stuff that's how many people we saw. That's how, it was sort of magical scheduling on my part two, so yeah.
Adam Rani
It all worked out; it fell into place.
Christine Chen
It all fell into place. and we have our full cast, we are like extremely excited about it. And now I just need to convince the people who are backing us that they can be as confident in the cast as I am about the cast. So again, it's the whole like, I get it though, because I I'm lucky to have a split brain where I understand the art, but I very much understand the business side of decision making.
Adam Rani
Because it's inevitably money on the table. Right? It's money on the line.
Christine Chen
Yeah, it's my money on the table. And the thing is like these are people who don't know me, right, these are also people who don't know the cast. So, it's, it's a numbers game and they're thinking what is the best way to ensure my investment? Right? And if I just gave them a list of people who they haven't heard of, because they're not A listers or whatever, um, it's pretty scary to be like, hey, let me give you $50,000 on shit I don't know about and people who I don’t recognize or whatever. So, I get it there's going to be pushback there will be people be like, well, why don't you? Why can't you just cast this person that I've heard of and is on this show and blah, blah, you know? Or why can we have this? And so, it's playing that game. And it's, it's frustrating. But I get it's part of the front part of the process. And because I understand both aspects, I understand the argument, I understand.
Adam Rani
Yeah.
Christine Chen
Because I'm coming in both ways, I have to be like, well, because that person is good for the role, like, this person is good for the role of, trusting that this person is the best for the role. So, you want the person who's best for the role, to best recoup your investment, right?
Adam Rani
Absolutely
Christine Chen
Instead of, hey, let's shove somebody who has a bunch of credits under their name, but it's not good for the role just because they have a bunch of credits under their name, because people recognize it. Because recognition means a guarantee in investment. Yes, there is something to be said about that. Obviously, like if, if I showed, I don't know, Tom Cruise into a bit role, people are going to watch it just because it's Tom Cruise, but
Adam Rani
The name sells
Christine Chen
The name sells, and I totally, totally a 100% get that. So, it's just like push and pull, push, and pull. But you know, the one who else comes and says, I think that is the process that makes a film great anyway, really, right. I feel like, it's frustrating in the time. But what I have discovered is the stuff that comes out the best usually has a lot of push and pull, and nice balance and push pull, so that it's a nice mix of everyone's visions, and you're making an elevated something, we just have to remember everybody is trying to do the same thing, which is elevate the film, right. And so, I just do those times. Just have to step outside of myself as the director what I want, and just be like, Okay, this is why this is happening. Everybody wants the same thing. They just want the film to be successful. I think that's the, the ultimate thing that you can look at
Adam Rani
The universal goal.
Christine Chen
Yes, a universal goal and I continue to think that, you know, when I'm frustrated, it's not nearly as frustrating. But it is frustrating regardless, because it's like, this cast is amazing, but I have to like, somehow show it that they are, you know, trusting me, and everything. So, but.
Adam Rani
I was gonna say it takes a lot for some, I mean, inevitably, both you guys are strangers to each other. However, on the other side, yeah, it does take a lot to trust a filmmaker, you know.
Christine Chen
Oh, yeah.
Adam Rani
To run any. But I don't know. I feel like you still have you have a filmography under your belt.
Christine Chen
I know. But you know, what's interesting, and I hate to make this.
Adam Rani
Oh, let's counter argue.
Christine Chen
I need to say it because I had this conversation yesterday. And it's having a lot to do with, I feel like for society, it is improving. But there's more need for improvement. If I were a man, I would have this investment already.
Adam Rani
Yeah
Christine Chen
And sadly.
Adam Rani
I mean, I'm and listen, I was trying to think bias here. And I'm drawing the same conclusion every time.
Christine Chen
It's sucks because if I were a white male, I literally would have this investment and I am not pinning that, I think a lot of it is that historically, because we've had because Caucasians have had a higher step in economic education, everything they've kind of had, like almost a head start, right. So, there's more successful white males out there who are able to fund projects and there are less successful females who are able to write and so people are going to fund other likeminded people, right? It's just how it goes. It's just human nature. And so.
Adam Rani
The same tribe.
Christine Chen
Yeah, the same tribe. So, it's just up to us or as a as people who are, you know, in the minority women, whatever, to continue to bring each other up to be in a position leader to pay it forward to be able to change that, you know. So, unfortunately, right now, not as many things are being funded for women filmmakers, and even less so than for women and minority, okay. So, and it's fine, like I, I don't use that as an excuse for why I'm just saying it's a frustrating process and things are changing for the better, but that is the reality of it. And, and I say this because I have another friend, not in the film. She is an entrepreneur in the startup world, and she's literally having the same problem. She is brilliant. Her product is awesome and like, like, probably has more research and done the homework 10-fold that a lot of other people are getting funding, but she's struggling to get funding. And like, that's the conclusion is like, man, it's not as easy. Literally, yeah, literally another my friend, Carl, who's a white male is like, man, like I look at this, and I'm really realizing like, dude, like, if she were a white male, she would have gotten this funding already. So that's just the reality of it. And it's fine. Except for a little bit harder and whatever. But that's, that's just where we are. So.
Yeah, and I don't I don't necessarily think that that's because we talked about this in the beginning of the tip top of the show, we just know how to pivot. You just know how to still get the things at the end of the day that you want, however, is it an uphill battle? Yes. Especially for you, especially the fact that I mean, I can't I don't know why. But I was born in the year 1994. So, I grew up with the Internet. And I don't understand. I don't understand anything when it comes to discrimination. You know, I mean, like, I just when people discriminate, even when I was a very young kid, I just never quite understood it. Even though like there's some people who are like, Oh, well, that's just a joke. Even though there's, you know, there's ramifications to what you say, whether or not you're a different gender, you are a minority, whatever it is, you oftentimes are on the other side of this discrimination in sometimes you I just don't understand why things have to be such an uphill battle. Because if you have that creativity, you have that great story. Who fucking cares? True, right, because, Christine, this is a dumbass awesome story. What you what you created, and I am so fucking excited for people to see this. I even talked to my mom. And she was just like, what? And I'm like, yeah, it's gonna get wild. And she was like, has Christine ever done something like that? Like, no.
Christine Chen
Like, that's scary too to an investor, Have I ever. No.
Adam Rani
But that's like, so inspiring to me though, Christina. And that's why like, I'm kicking this fucking script along the way. I mean, I'm writing like I'm because it's inspiring, dude. Yeah. Yeah, different gender. So that means I can't like that doesn't make sense to me. And I'm talking about people who discriminate. I'm not talking about you know, specific people. But I grew up with people who are I mean, I hate to say it racist, homophobic. narcissist, sexist. I listen, I didn't wish for my environment. You know, I didn't even a wish for my birth either. You know. So, it's just the time it's just the place and it's just what you have around you. And I just didn't I just never believed in that. Because growing up most of my inspirations were women. And I got made fun of, because I did a report on Comedy heroes, and it was like a creative writing class. And a lot of people were like, oh, Jim Carrey, Chris Farley that I was watching Saturday Night Live at the time. And the reason why I was watching Saturday Night Live was three people. Fallon before he went all fucking crazy, but to other people who just fucking define my comedy tenfold and that's Amy Poehler and Tina Fey.
Christine Chen
Yeah. They are great.
Adam Rani
They, they are the like, that's the reason why I am goofy the way I am. I love Chris Farley, I love Jim Carrey I love, but they made my comedy that much better. Because they just knew timing. And they knew they knew how to pinpoint a punch line when people like died down in the laughter in the hidden with another punch line. Like, especially in Weekend Update, they were, they were like, I got my news from those ladies. Like, it's, it's hilarious, you know, and in the fact that like, I got made fun of for that. And, and this is not like a pity party or anything like that. But it's just one of those things that I just got confused by because I was like, oh, I mean, I was raised by a single mother. I had teachers, bosses, inspirations heroes of mine, who are women. And the fact that like, even other people, too, and they're even people of color, who are my inspirations are so many inspirations that I have. It's so diverse. It's so but I don't think about it that way. Right? It's like, no, they just had a really fucking awesome story. No, Christine is just crazy as I am. You mean like, it's awesome. It's great. You know, Kelly, same thing, Roxy, all those all those dope ass motherfuckers. So, yeah, I don't know, I just I just I never understood that. Especially because you're telling me I understand it in the way that you know, you're explaining it to me when it comes to investment and in being a female filmmaker, and all this being the uphill battle that it is. And you're basically saying it is what it is. And inevitably it is but I just ultimately think that's bullshit. You know, but that just is.
Christine Chen
It is like, all right. We know it is. So collectively we all do our part. Like, but first step is realization that is bullshit. So, but I think there's lots of things being changed. It's just it takes time. You know, it's just taking time. So.
Adam Rani
It takes time, I think but also, I don't know Christine. I think I think in the way that you're doing it in the stories that you create. I think it's just fucking awesome. So however, you do it which way you do it? Fucking do it in Karl's apartment if you got
Christine Chen
I'm excited. I mean, the for the project.
Adam Rani
That's right, Elena.
Christine Chen
Completely the 4, 5 main female leads. All diverse.
Adam Rani
Hell Yes.
Christine Chen
Wendy, ours.
Adam Rani
It is a diverse script.
Christine Chen
Yes, diverse script. Yeah, we have our crew, I am stoked, it is magical sitting there and listening to what has been written and seeing it played out. And you know, these actresses’ actors are amazing, because they capture all the nuances of what you're hearing your head. And there are so many times during the auditions where there would be done the scene and it just be staring at them. Yeah, as staring at the zoom. Like, oh, yeah, just staring and then they like, Oh, shit. Oh, yeah. Auditions over oh crap. I'm sorry. Like, I thought I was waiting for the rest of the movie.
Adam Rani
I was just waiting for the rest performance, sorry.
Christine Chen
Yeah, I am waiting for the rest of the movie to play. Yeah. So that's why you know, it's great. Yeah, it's happened several times. We have the right crew. That that's what happens.
Adam Rani
That's awesome.
Christine Chen
I can't wait for you when you get to the point with your script. To see that because it's a.
Adam Rani
I know.
Christine Chen
I remember. I remember that first experience too. when you hear your script read for the first time by talent that fit the script. It was a cast. The first thing I ever cast for was a short film in 2008. It was my first attempt at a narrative film that remember I did features sorry; I did documentaries back then. And I remember being like, I didn't know like, where how am I supposed to like find actors, like where they live like, the group, like, like, what is this.
Adam Rani
They live in a hive.
Christine Chen
They all could live on like a hippie commune.
Adam Rani
Yeah, in the Charles Manson type.
Christine Chen
Commune and you just go to them and just ask but I literally had no clue like how I find actors. and I think I did it through Craigslist, actually. Because Craigslist was a thing back then.
Adam Rani
Yeah
Christine Chen
Craigslist wasn't creepy back then; Craigslist was where you found
Adam Rani
It wasn't, that's where you found work.
Christine Chen
Yes, where you found shit.
Adam Rani
And now it's just meth and crazy shit. Yeah.
Christine Chen
I had all sorts of people show up from like that. I mean this was in Houston right so I was casting Houston and I had actors showing up from Austin and Dallas and stuff like that. And I'm like, Holy shit, I kept telling you, I was like, you know that this role is like, in Houston, right? Like,
Adam Rani
Yeah, you're gonna travel?
Christine Chen
I haven't casted you yet. Are you really gonna come to casting call? I totally get it.
Adam Rani
Exactly. Yeah.
Christine Chen
Yeah. And be like, holy shit, and then showing up and delivery like a performance. It's just, it was really amazing.
But if you think about it, though, Christine, you work with people who are like you said earlier in the show likeminded people, you know, I mean, and that person, if it was you, you would be fucking travel if you're a hungry actor, and you need you want to fuckin Yeah, work. Just like me. I just went.
Christine Chen
Yeah. And Elena. Yes, I do. Remember, yes. You use your cast for a few years ago as well. Yeah. So, but it's just as funny how that how that works. And, you know, now you can do zoom and people submit things and whatnot. But it's amazing. When you have the right group of people, it's chemistry. It's weird, because you would think that through resume, none of us are in the same vicinity. It's all through the computer and stuff like how can you? How can you actually read chemistry? But it is so obvious. Like, yes, you can you get it was like we had two different actors for like a boyfriend, girlfriend. And you could just tell, one works and one doesn't, you know, and it's literally all through just zoom. It's really crazy. Um, boy, you have a perfect group of people who understand each of the roles and the chemistry works. It's just it's really magical to watch. And like I said, several times, the scene would have would end and there would be a long ass pause. Because they're like waiting for like, what are we going to do next? And I'm just saying there be like
Adam Rani
Oh, wait is you done? Oh, shit.
Christine Chen
You are done?
Adam Rani
That was great.
Christine Chen
yes, that's my response. That was great. I guess we'll move on to the next theme. Yes
Adam Rani
That's hilarious. So cool to see you creating on all the great energy you put into shout out Elena. Hell yeah.
Christine Chen
Thank you. Yeah, it's I've had these existential crisis conversations.
Adam Rani
I have it every single day.
Christine Chen
Not with me, but it's actually with my friend. I'm saying Carl, Carl is in this weird spot were.
Adam Rani
I have a crisis.
Christine Chen
I think I think when I'm around people, I give them an existential crisis. This is why, I had this kind of I feel like also
Adam Rani
I mean, listen Christine, you stressed me out before too, but I don't
Christine Chen
because the thing is, I don't think they I don't think they understand how it's possible that I can literally stand in the same spot from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed working.
Adam Rani
Yeah.
Christine Chen
I think it like freaks them out a lot. Because they're like I hate like because they can't understand because they don't like what they're doing to the extent that I am, do you see I'm saying.
Adam Rani
But you are working though.
Christine Chen
I am working but I but I love it. You know so. So, it's not
Adam Rani
I mean, yeah, I had the same thing with my mom. She thought there's something wrong with me for just sitting in my room, literally I got my coffee came in here. And I sat here for like 10 hours and it would be dark when I came in and I was gonna be making dinner. So, I skipped breakfast, lunch, dinner, and I just like, came out and she was like, That's not normal. That's just not normal
Christine Chen
I know but people don't love what they do, don't understand that. Like, Carl was like, I don't understand is it isn't just like my, my drive my like, but I just can't. I can't sit there for that long. And like work the way that you do. And I'm like, I was like, but it's because it's because I'm in love with what I'm doing.
It's like you create a snowball as it grows. Oh, yeah.
Christine Chen
I love what I'm doing. And I and I explained like, it doesn't mean that you can't get there. It's just you have found something that you're that in love with. Right? And I gave him given examples. Like, if I were to be working on an accounting firm right now, dude, you cannot get me to sit for more than one hour. Yeah. I would be anxious. I know, because I reckon, I have to run several companies. And so, I did reconcile accounting crap for taxes, because tax season is coming up. And dude, just doing that, like,
Adam Rani
That has to be aggravating.
Christine Chen
It was so aggravating but I would imagine that's what it's like to, to have a job you don't care about. You know.
Adam Rani
Dude. I mean, and that's why that's why like, when people like, not people, what am I saying, when I was giving myself and other bosses shit about, you know, me being late for work and stuff. If I'm consistently late for work, that's a bad sign that I'm just not there. I'm just not. Yeah, and it's not that I hate the people. I don't hate my bosses. I don't hate any of that. I just, I don't this is a job I don't get. Because here's the thing, right? Before that I'm even working retail, I would write a little bit. But I would also, you know, watch movies. And I would go through like a whole bunch of shit. Because I'm pretty sure like growing up and now still, I have like a mild form of ADHD. And I have to constantly like, get my brain to into creative mode. And sometimes I get myself into creative mode and oops, it's already 1:30 and I need to get to work at two. And I live like, an hour away. So yeah, I mean, shit, shit happens. But I hate I can't stand like doing the work that I don't want to do for a long period of time.
Christine Chen
Exactly.
Adam Rani
And so many people I worked with always can do that. Like, I've worked in an office before too. And people are just willing to just sit there even through their lunch by the way. They're just willing to just sit there and just keep typing, keep working, maybe take a snack once in a while, but just keep working through and through. After 45 minutes. I'm getting antsy. I got to walk around, you know,
Christine Chen
I give anybody that when I'm working around existential crisis because they're like this is not normal, how are you able to sit there and stand there for I say stand because
Adam Rani
yeah, I get it.
Christine Chen
the entire day, literally. And be okay. And clearly, you're never like every because, every time you're like, you're working like you're not like, you know, on Facebook, I'm not like full playing around, you know, like, because you can look like you're working but not me. You know, but no, I'm literally like, zoned in and I think, I'm loving what I'm doing. I love it. I love it so much. And to a detriment. Right now, I'm so excited about Erzulie and what I'm doing with it that I cannot sleep. It's annoying the shit out of me like it's I've literally I'm having trouble sleeping like I will. Because my brain is like just firing the whole time being like, Oh, what about like this thing? And those makeup are like; how should we do this? Or like How should I storyboard that and like it I'm just too excited. My brain is like too excited.
Adam Rani
On every level.
Christine Chen
Yeah, it will not calm down. Yeah, it just really excited. So.
Adam Rani
That's exciting for me, dude. I love that. I mean, I don't love the fact that you know you sleep for 45 seconds a night but you know.
Christine Chen
I have to take Benadryl now. Yeah, it's like because I start back work on Monday. Well.
Adam Rani
Because I'm the same. I'm getting I'm the same way especially when it comes to working like I get the least amount of sleep because I'm just all I think about is the story. You know, but, um, I was gonna ask, oh, um, and this is nothing against Carl at all, but people who see other people working, especially at the rate and the pace that you have. Wouldn't it be a reflection on them for them to feel the way they're feeling? Does that make sense? So
Christine Chen
I know, he is only feeling
Adam Rani
I am not saying like a jealousy thing but
Christine Chen
No, no I know he wants
Adam Rani
We are getting dangerously close to it.
Christine Chen
I think he wants to feel that. He wants to be able to work at that level. Right? Yeah. Because like, because like he he's annoyed with himself, because he's like, like, I he tries to work and then like, once the watch a movie, you know, so yeah. But like, for me, it's like, I don't even know what movies are out right now. You know, I don't I don't watch anything so long.
Adam Rani
Oh, no. Oh, sorry. Go ahead. Good.
Christine Chen
No, I did watch something.
Adam Rani
I watched something too.
Christine Chen
What did you watch?
Adam Rani
I watched a Judas in the black Messiah
Christine Chen
Oh, I have seen it.
Adam Rani
That was fucking banger. Oh, Christine. Yeah, I feel every single motherfucking actor deserves every single award that movie was. I thought like it played out like a gripping like intense movie. And it just kept it's like uncut gems. Like how it was just so intense throughout the movie. And even until the end, it was still intense. It just kept racking up and you're like, fuck, fuck, fuck, it's so.
Christine Chen
I haven't seen it.
Adam Rani
It is on HBO.
Christine Chen
But now I want to see that and I want to see Menari, it is the one that was the Asian American. It looks really good.
Adam Rani
Oh, yeah.
Christine Chen
I don't know. I don't know what's on. I literally I haven't watched it. The only reason why I've watched anything is for research. So, I've been so the things I've been researching. So, the last research that I watched Drive. Because the aesthetic.
Adam Rani
The soundtrack.
Christine Chen
Yes. Soundtrack of drive. Both the aesthetic. The soundtrack is exactly kind of the feel that Erzulie is going to have.
Adam Rani
Really?
Christine Chen
Yes, that's what I'm Yeah, Neo Noir. I think it's like the kind of feel but that's the goal.
Adam Rani
That is fucking awesome. I love that shit. That is that is rad. And especially that at synthesizer.
Christine Chen
Yeah, yes. Yeah.
Adam Rani
Banging, um, uh, fuck, I was gonna say something. And I forgot because I just I love Drive So much.
Christine Chen
I knew I loved it. But like, it was one of those things where I watched it again. I love that even more.
Adam Rani
I know. Yeah, I know. And every actor,
Christine Chen
It is annoying because like, yeah, it's been annoying because I like I'm just watching you for research. And literally every single time 15 minutes in, and I've forgotten that I'm watching it for research and I'm watching the full thing. And then two hours later on, like, Well shit. I am watching this for research, and now I
Adam Rani
know I'm making popcorn, I'm just enjoying it
Christine Chen
Let’s just watch the move instead. So, I'm going to try to watch it again for research and not get sucked in. And just look for the spots that I really, really like. So
Adam Rani
I still it still happens to me too. Whenever I get into a writing funk. Like if I'm getting like that existential crisis feeling where I'm like, I'm not doing enough I'm shit and garbage. I'm this and that. I rewatch I have to rewatch like old favorites of mine in order for me to just kind of like
Christine Chen
to remind yourself why you're doing what you're doing.
Adam Rani
I'm doing it in the first place. And, uh, and it's so fun going back down memory lane, because I haven't watched the dark night. That like, a few years. Yeah. And I watched it and I was like, because I only I did it only for the intent and purposes of me just understanding good dialogue. Like amazing, well-crafted dialogue. And every fucking and I watched it three times this week. And every time like an hour in I'm just watching a Batman movie and I'm just getting sucked in. You know? And I'm like, fuck, Heath Ledger. I mean, fuck, it's so good.
Christine Chen
Yes, they're very good. Yeah, no, that's the funny part is doing research that keep getting sucked in. So, Pan's Labyrinth is on my list is the next one. I think that's right. All right.
Adam Rani
I took a trip down memory lane with Pan's Labyrinth two days ago, I already watched it. Yeah. And it's because yesterday I watched Judas in the black Messiah, which I mean, I don't know if I think you can. I want to say you can rent it like I think you'd rent it on Apple or something. I'm pretty sure you can. But man, the dialogue, Christine you just appreciate the like, just the sheer dialogue, like every single sentence that each character says, is so consequential in the grand scheme of the story. It's phenomenal. It's just because I don't want to spoil anything for you. But
Christine Chen
I want to watch it. Now. I haven't, I don't even know it exists right now. Yeah
Adam Rani
I know.
Christine Chen
I am in my work bubble.
Adam Rani
That's the thing. I always, do you hate this to Christine, where people often think that whatever comes out on Netflix or whatever streaming service that well because you're a filmmaker, you're already on top of it.
Christine Chen
Totally. But they I'm like the least.
Adam Rani
I know. I feel the same way. I'm just like, I'm watching my shit, right. I don't know. I don't know what to tell you. You mean you haven't seen Bridgeton? I'm just like, I'll get to it. I just you know, I want to I want to watch Rambo first. You know? Yeah. Which is a great movie because I'm writing about World War vets. So, I'm watching old war movies. And, and I watched first blood and I haven't seen in a really long time. It's Sylvester Stallone's first self-financed, produced, and written film. And it's so charmingly stupid, but the story and the execution of flawless Yeah, absolutely flawless. So, I'm watching that along with 20 other depressing World War two films. But yeah, I'm just reading it. I'm reading it. I'm watching it for the for that, you know, that feel of despair
Christine Chen
And,
Adam Rani
it makes me happy. Yeah. I don't know what to say. Like, I walk away watching Saving Private Ryan with this smile on my face. I know. That's terrible thing for me to say. But come on. It's a good fucking movie. Jesus Christ.
Christine Chen
Wow, that was one of those.
Adam Rani
It's intense. It's yeah,
Christine Chen
Yeah, it was one of those, I think I would just watch it once, I think I am good.
Adam Rani
Yeah, yeah. It's like, it's like, it makes you it doesn't Yeah, it's like clockwork orange. Like you walk away. You're not supposed to walk away feeling even though I'm the psychopath who does. Yeah, I just I didn't Oh, you know what I just watched too that was fucking awesome. And it's just a comedy. It's just funny. It's a little sexist, but it's because it came out in 1965. So, it's called the Dirty Dozen.
Christine Chen
I think I've seen that.
Adam Rani
It's a has Ernest Borgnine in it. You know that actor. He's, he's, he's a charming little old dude. He's just walk. Come on. He's a thespian. But what am I saying? He's a great actor. But uh, he always played those. Those like, kind of Daffy you know. Charming, you know? Puffy guys. The husky Guys, come on. But anyways, the movie. It's just it's so chock full of quickly, quick witty humor. Um, except for maybe one scene in the movie that is just a little sexist. That I'm just like, I don't know that today. Yeah, very cringe. But, uh, everything else, it’s a fun ass hilarious fucking movie John Cassavetes is in it. Do you know John Cassavetes? Have you seen his movies? A Movie you'll love Christine
Christine Chen
Kelly is waving at us. Kelly we are already talked shit about you. You missed that part.
Adam Rani
So, John Cassavetes is in it. Finn phenomenal, phenomenal actor John Cassavetes. Reminds me like a like he has that charm. Like, who's somebody who we worked with. Like, oh, like, like, uh, oh, man. What is his name? What’s his name? Jonathan Flanders. Just that like nice subtle, like charm and stuff. And yes, he just knows how to guide into a scene and stuff. Shout out to Jonathan Flanders.
Christine Chen
He's got very good comedic timing.
Adam Rani
And John Cassavetes will remind you of that. And it's he's so great. So anyways, Dirty Dozen. Fantastic, fantastic movie. Yeah, sorry, Kelly. We talk shit about you. Uh, no, I Yeah, dude. I I'm excited. I'm excited for.
Christine Chen
Erzulie.
Adam Rani
Erzulie.
Christine Chen
Don't worry. Okay, I've been saying my own title wrong for a very long time, so if you go back to the previous podcasts. You'll be like, why did she? I had no clue how to pronounce my own set.
Adam Rani
Wait Kamil, wrote it with you, right?
Christine Chen
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
Adam Rani
What does it she calls it, Erzulie?
Christine Chen
I think we were both calling it wrong. We thought it was. We thought it was.
Adam Rani
How can three people be wrong?
Christine Chen
I don't know. Because we just thought it was that but it's like Ursula, Erzulie. That's why Erzulie, yeah. I also pronounced multiple things wrong all the time.
Adam Rani
Apparently, I do too.
Christine Chen
Yes. Yeah. So Erzulie, I'm very excited about it. Um, so towards the end, just wanted to mention, we have a website now, Erzuliefilm.com, e r z u l i e. film dot com. And the next few I don't know how we're gonna make it official is gonna be should we? Or should we keep going for a bit until it's closer to the shoot dates?
Adam Rani
So, what I have in mind, I what I had in mind was we were going to do it like our Well, no, because then because all we're going to be talking about for the next few weeks is going to probably be originally so I don't know.
Christine Chen
Right.
Adam Rani
So that's why if you if you then fuck it next week.
Christine Chen
Yeah, season
Adam Rani
New season.
Christine Chen
Yeah.
Adam Rani
We're gonna continue the episode count though, even though we technically started our first episode count in season two. Because we had to change the name of the podcast, long story, whatever. And, uh, and yeah, we should just probably continue the episode count. So next week would be episode 41 season three.
Christine Chen
Yeah, that works. Yeah, I think so.
Adam Rani
Because we have well, we do have five minutes left until an hour so
Christine Chen
Yeah, so we're making yeah, the film. So, the season three the differences in our topics are going to be skewing very much towards the making of Erzulie, which is hopefully exciting and interesting to you guys. Because I'm literally navigating this very
Adam Rani
A BTS pod if you will.
Christine Chen
Yes, navigating this.
Adam Rani
It's still gonna be a regular podcast we're still gonna hang out chill out talk some shit you know, whatever, whatever we're gonna do.
Christine Chen
It will be Erzulie skewed so if you have or in pre-production or in development of want to ever make a feature film ever like this is really
Adam Rani
Tag along.
Christine Chen
Definitely tag along because it's like everybody talks about the funding process you know distribution process; I will go through everything really. But I'm just like you i don't have I don't I've just been working in the industry for a while. 10 years as an AD or 6, 7, years ad but I've been in the industry since 2012 seriously. And I how I'm getting my movie done is pretty much going to be like anybody else trying to get their movie done, you know, getting your script your concept, pitching people which I have done, making a pitch deck, fighting people battling between your producers, why you want to keep certain casts and don't want to keep certain cast. And the struggle between money and creativity and yeah, casting getting our cast and then scheduling and all that stuff. So hopefully
Adam Rani
Comes compromise.
Christine Chen
Compromise. Yes.
Adam Rani
And then with compromise, you still get Erzulie, you still get you still get the story that you want hopefully.
Christine Chen
Hopefully yes. So, follow along Erzuliefilm.com And yeah, our next podcast our next season, per se. It's going to be about Erzulie
Adam Rani
That's right. We're gonna be doing that BTS of Erzulie and I will keep you updated on my crisis in writing. Because probably next week, I will be back on this podcast and be like, you know what, Christina? I'm gonna give up writing.
Christine Chen
No, we can't do that, it is stick it out to the end.
Adam Rani
I'm sticking it through.
Christine Chen
It's usually that when you're getting close, that's why I'm like I'm so frustrated. But that means I'm getting close.
Adam Rani
Christine, listen to me ladies and gentlemen. It this fucking story. If I don't finish it, it will kill me. It will kill me. That's how I feel if I don't say this story, and at least do something about this story. It this will be the death of me. I am fucking promise you, Elena shout out sending you good vibes beautiful Sunday.
Christine Chen
Yes, Thank you beautiful Sunday,
Adam Rani
Hey, listen. Yeah, I was gonna say Austin is getting a little spicy out there. I was out there and I was like, I only need shorts and a T shirt. I was fucking bundled up like Ralphie style Christmas story. Just be like.
Christine Chen
Yeah, I bought so many clothes that were for like the snow apocalypse.
Adam Rani
Yeah, I'm wearing my puffy jacket. People are looking at me while I'm doing laundry. What do you what?
Christine Chen
Dramatize that, like, I never get there. I'm not going to be cold. So, we're to
Adam Rani
Fucking stinks. It stinks because you're wearing 19 different blankets and you can't go pee with 19 different blankets on.
Christine Chen
I am on Set. I look like this and I'm like, oh shit, something itches and I can't get to the stop, let me get to it.
Adam Rani
Yeah, so listen, you guys we were still affected by the by everything you know with the power outage with Corona with all this but you guys have to remember. Let's take let's wind our clocks back all the way to episode one of season two, the art of the get Reelisims podcast in the in the beginnings, and Christine was doing the Roger Corman challenge. And, you know, just fucking made do with what we got. And she still fucking made shit. And I was still sitting here fucking crying about not finishing scripts. You know? And that's just how it is. And there's this there's just gonna be these moments now. Am I a lot further than I was? 40 weeks ago. You bet your fucking ass I Am. I Am. I Am fuckin this story is turning out to be a fucking rad story, but
Christine Chen
it's gonna get there.
Adam Rani
We're not that's neither here nor that because we are going to be discussing Erzulie. But every once in a while, we'll check in with Adam and see if he's gonna kill himself. And, you know,
Christine Chen
I try to distract you from it. Like distracting in terms of like, Hey, you're fine. You're gonna be fine.
Adam Rani
Oh, yeah, no, I know. I know I am.
Christine Chen
Distracting you with my problems.
Adam Rani
There's Yeah, it's just I always blame it on like, just stupid shit. But ultimately, I am I am working on it every day. It's just it's a slow burn process. And I didn't realize it was a slow burn process because how I usually write is I want to get everything done all in one sitting so I'm going to sit here for 19 hours and just get it done. But lo and behold even though I work 19 hours every day working on the script, I'm not going to finish an entire script in 19 hours. That's just not going to happen. Unless I just want to force creativity and write a shitty story, I can do that. But that's just disrespecting myself and the work that I put in so if I'm going to put in the work, I'm going to write a good fucking story.
Christine Chen
You are well and you are.
Adam Rani
I want to ladies and gentlemen but we are basically at an hour. Christina and I got a bounce but ladies and gentlemen get on that getrealisms.com high guys getrealisms.com, get your book get your sayings you can learn all yet. Like transpose and tracking traveling talent stickers. Okay. Love it. Appreciate it. We love you guys. We love you Instagram. We love you Facebook. Was there anything else you wanted to say Christine before we say goodbye?
Christine Chen
Go make movies.
Makes movies, be creative and say hello to your neighbor Because shit. Shit was wild last guys. So, let's all let's all be nicer to each other and love you. Goodbye.
