Jessica Schoen
Jessica Schoen
Prom Date Click to view trailer
Description of film: Musical Romantic Comedy, 15 min., Color
‘Prom Date’ is a musical comedy about asking people to prom in an overly romantic high school. Evan Jacobs wants nothing more than to ask his dream-girl, Deanna to prom, but will he be brave enough to go through with his plan? This is a story about high school, unrequited love, friendship, dreams, and above all, getting what you want, no matter what.
Filmmaker bio:
Jessica Schoen was born on Long Island on January 18th 1989. She attended South Side High School in Rockville Centre, NY where she first began to take an interest in film. In 2007 she enrolled in Emerson College as a film major, pursuing a concentration in directing. Jessica is currently a senior at Emerson College and is spending her last semester in Los Angeles where she is interning at Green Hat Films. Past directing credits include “Pockets” (2009) and “Cake” (2010).
Film Industry Questions:
Who are your role models in the film industry?
Alfonso Cuaron and Baz Lurhman are two of my favorite directors. They have very different styles from one another, but really have taught me different ways of using film to suit your story.
Who or what has influenced you as a filmmaker?
Two teachers at Emerson have particularly influenced me as a filmmaker. One was Robert Patton-Spruill and the other was Jon Ginvito, who personally mentored me through Prom Date. Also, over the years, my parents have definitely structured my taste in films by having family movie nights every Friday while I was growing up.
What are your top three favorite films?
Moulin Rouge!, When Harry Met Sally…, and The Princess Bride. Moulin Rouge in particular is my favorite because it is an example of everything you can do with film – it’s eccentric and insane, but the most entertaining film I have ever seen. I also notice something different every time I watch it. It is fairly simplistic story, but that allows Lurhman to make it a musical and go all out with his style. It’s the reason why I have always wanted to make a musical.
It has been said that there are only a limited number of original plot ideas. In the midst of that, what nuances make your film stand out from others in its genre?
My film focuses on themes that people can relate to, such as unrequited love. I feel like everyone has been there at least one time in his or her life. It is also sillier than most musicals and is conscious that it is a comedy, therefore the audience is (hopefully) laughing along with it.
What obstacles did you come across as you entered the film industry? What motivates you to persevere?
Finding ways to finance your films is always incredibly tough. Luckily, my parents financed Prom Date because it was my senior thesis film while at Emerson. In the future though, I have to learn how to accomplish that myself. Currently, I am living in Los Angeles and trying to figure out how to get a job for the future. Luckily I have a wonderful internship that will hopefully help me on the rode for finding a job, but breaking into the industry is definitely a challenge. My passion for film and a good story is what motivates me to keep going. If you enjoy what you’re doing, then it’s all worth it.
Film Questions:
What inspired you to create this film?
This film was originally a script that I wrote for class in sophomore year inspired by the news article “Romantic teen seeks prom date, gets cops instead”. About eight months later, I decided that the basic story line would work as a musical. It’s always been my dream to create a musical, and that was definitely something that I foresaw doing when I was older and more experienced, but I figured I would take the chance and try to now. Luckily, my friend Brock Ginther is extremely talented and wrote the songs for me, and I honestly could not have written them better if I tried.
What message do you hope your film conveys to an audience?
I made this film in order to entertain. If you watch it and laugh, then I’m happy. I love entertaining and I think this film does just that.
What are your aspirations for this film?
I am very proud of this film because it turned out better than I could ever hope for, thanks to my parents and talented cast and crew. I hope that it will get into festivals and it currently is an experiment on marketing my work and myself.
How difficult was it to stay under budget for this film? What is your favorite guerrilla filmmaking tactic?
It was somewhat difficult to stay on budget for this film. I did not calculate just how much locations and craft services cost. I didn’t have too many guerilla filmmaking tactics to be honest – I mostly tried to play by the rules for this film at least.
How did you choose which festivals to enter?
I researched a lot of festivals on withoutabox.com and asked my teachers for advice. I started by applying to a lot of women filmmaker festivals and anything with student contests. My producer, Greg Hanson has also helped me accumulate a list. Recently though, I have researched more festivals online and am currently applying to smaller ones to stay within my budget.
What was the most challenging part of this film?
The hardest part was the music. Although Brock and I were very enthusiastic about it, we really didn’t know what we were doing because neither of us made a musical before. One of my sound designers, Jared Detsikas later helped us out with more of the technicalities. Now I definitely know what mistakes we made and what I would change for next time. Overall, more time would have helped to really finesse the music, but balancing classes and actor’s schedules was very challenging when it came to recording.
What was the craziest or most unbelievable moment that occurred while making your film?
We filmed Prom Date in the month of March, which is coincidentally when all of Emerson College came down with the Noro virus (a terrible stomach virus that many students were hospitalized for). We filmed over the course of two weekends and during the week in between, I came down with the virus and wasn’t sure if we could film that next weekend. Luckily, I had a milder version, but some of the cast and crew got it, and Brock was even hospitalized. Somehow though, we were able to pull through and get through it, but that was one of the most insane, unexpected things that I have ever dealt with.
What is one thing you wish you had on set?
I wish I had more time on set. It’s always hard on a student set because a lot of things get rushed because we are always running behind. More time would have made it a more relaxing environment.
What type of junk food did you consume the most of on set?
I normally don’t eat a lot when directing. I remember that almost every meal consisted of pizza though. And my assistant director, Keiko Makishima made sure to feed me chocolate whenever she thought that my blood sugar was running low.
Which moment of your film reflects your “signature?”
Then ending does. Another of my films actually ends very similarly. I am a sucker for sweet and sappy endings.
List four adjectives that describe your film.
Fun, silly, romantic, and entertaining.
Personal Questions:
Why did you choose film as an expression of artistic medium?
I’ve always loved stories and story telling. I read constantly when I was growing up – in fact, my mom would punish me by hiding my books. I also loved to draw and dabbled in acting. Then in eleventh grade, I took a film class and just loved it. I had always watched movies with my family, but now I realized I could make them. I made my first film in eleventh grade and actually won my high school film contest, which made me realize that I would love to go to school for this.
Is there any other artistic medium that you work with in your spare time?
I occasionally write and paint.
What is your favorite piece of art?
Starry Night by Van Gogh. I know a lot of people very much relate to this piece. Every time I look at it, I always am mesmerized by the expression in it. It’s just such a beautiful painting and makes me feel so much when I am looking at it.
Did you ever consider another career besides filmmaking?
When I was younger I always wanted to be an art teacher or actor, but once I got older, I really wanted to be a director. This was mostly because my mom always told me that I was very bossy and therefore would be good at it, but after finding out what a director actually does, I had a more serious interest in it.
What sparked your interest in becoming a filmmaker? Was there a specific moment/experience that encouraged your interest in this artistic field?
Winning my high school film contest instilled the confidence in my to explore this option more seriously. Luckily, my parents were very supportive when I was looking into film programs.
In what ways have your friends and family supported you?
My family always encourages me to pursue whatever makes me happy and I am very thankful for that. They are my biggest fans and my dad quite literally forces everyone he knows to watch all of my films. My friends at school are wonderful and all worked on my sets – I really could not have done this without them. My friends who are not involved in film are always happy to watch whatever I make and encourage me to keep driving at it. I am very fortunate to have such a supportive group of people behind me.
What advice can you give to aspiring filmmakers or artists?
Just constantly keep working as long as it makes you happy. Film is not an easy career, but if that’s what you are passionate about, just keep driving at it.
If you had an unlimited budget and could shoot anywhere, what would your dream project be?
I would love to do a Tim Burton-ish type of fairy tale – specifically Beauty and the Beast. I have loved that story since I was little.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I hopefully will be working in either Los Angeles or New York in the film industry. Ideally, I would be directing, but I would gladly work in development or production as well. Just as long as I am working, I will be happy.
Gender Specific Questions:
Do you feel added pressure as a woman filmmaker?
It’s a little off-putting that there are not a lot of famous women directors, but I feel like this is definitely changing now. I am lucky that I worked with a bunch of people that respect my opinions no matter what my gender is, so I honestly have never personally felt that I was put in any awkward positions.
How does Kathryn Bigelow’s Oscar triumph affect the future of woman filmmakers?
I think that this opens more opportunities for up and coming women filmmakers. Bigelow is definitely an inspiration to young women who can now see that being female does not stop you from being a successful director.
Have you ever encountered a situation in the film industry where you have felt inferior to men?
I luckily haven’t. Emerson really promotes teamwork no matter who you are. My teachers have always helped me with my films and I am fortunate to have such a supportive background.
Do you let your sex or classification as a “woman” influence your filmmaking?
I try not to. Given this film is romantic, so some people would see this as a “chick flick”, but I really strive to have a broad audience.
Why do you think there are more men than woman in the film industry?
I think it’s just a matter of history and more women are currently integrating into all industries, including film. It might have been much harder in the past to do this, but now it seems to be encouraged much more than any other time.
What advice can you give to aspiring women filmmakers?
Don’t let anything stop you from achieving your dream. Keep working at it as long as it makes you happy.