Lunachicks Film Spotlight

Today’s film spotlight focuses on the short film Lunachicks directed by Jess Joy.

What is the title of your film and what inspired said title?

“Lunachicks” is the title of my short film. I first saw the word when I discovered the 90s riot grrrl band of the same name. I thought it was a cool combination of words. I like that it’s an open word allowing people to put their own definition to it. For me the definition tied well to my film’s themes so, hence the name.

Tell us a little bit about the story and origins of your film.

Lunachicks is a short dark comedy about reclusive Marla Strange, a young woman who joins a punk band in hopes of making a friend, but her infamous father has other ideas.

The story idea started to take shape in my last year of film school. I’ve always been drawn to expressionist art, and the concept of visually presenting internal feelings. While I was in school, I studied some absurdist plays that used this concept in a very interesting way, and I knew this would be my jumping off point for my next film, which became Lunachicks.

I wanted to explore how women still struggle to do simple things alone, like walking home in the dark for example, and how fear and violence continue to deter us from doing things we might enjoy. I wondered what it would be like to be the daughter of someone who contributes to these fears, and how that might affect a young woman’s mind in particular. Marla’s father has a strong influence over her life, and part of her journey is about deciding if she’s going to follow his plan or find her own path. At the time I was listening to a lot of riot grrl music and learning about the punk movement. I wanted to bring the punk ethos into the film and use a flawed punk character to help Marla on her journey.

Any films or filmmakers that inspired this film?

When I started out I wanted to create a film with a dark tone, something like David Fincher’s Se7en, and something with an antihero character arc. Obviously that works best in features, but I wanted that sort of ‘feel’ to my short. Mostly I wanted to write a role that I’d want to play if I were an actress. Like if Christopher Nolan’s Joker had been played by a woman. So those were some of the inspirations, but in Lunachicks’ current form those influences may or may not be visible. Thankfully, during a screenwriting workshop I was encouraged to lean into the dark comedy of Lunachicks, which I think was coming out through the absurdist stuff I had in early drafts. So Edgar Wright films were definitely watched as well.

What is the goal of the film for you?

Mainly it was to make a movie I was proud of and to start building a portfolio of work. I also really wanted to get into and attend a film festival. Of course one dream of getting into a midsized or higher one, but it’s hard to call that a realistic goal at this point in my career, so I was happy with any well run festival where I could meet other filmmakers. And so far, Lunachicks has played six festivals and I’ve been able to attend four of them!  

What has the journey been like getting the film into production?

Oh goodness, I marvel at anyone who can get their films made. It usually comes down to money now, doesn’t it?  

Where I’m from, here in Canada, we have Art’s Council where you can apply for a grant to help fund your film, but they’re hard to get. So, after spending two (*cough* maybe three) years writing Lunachicks (it was on and off writing), I applied for the grant.

I started preproduction on the film with the intention of making it whether I got the grant or not (you had to wait a few months to hear the decision). I knew I wanted to pay my crew at least a pittance, but I literally had no money (I went to film school after all). I really really dislike asking people for money to make movies, but it’s how the indie world seems to work, so I ran a Kickstarter to try and raise 10% of the budget. My supportive family and friends helped me reach that goal.

I had also won a grip truck prize package at a local film festival a couple years back, so I used that prize to get most of my grip/lighting gear. Then I got an indie discount on my camera equipment, and my DP also brought some gear as well. Since we were shooting during Covid I was also able to use my local film studio for a really discounted rate because they’re very nice people and they had an opening the weekend we shot. As I was doing all that, I received an email nicely telling me I did not get a grant. So I went on over to the bank and said “yell-oo, hi I’ll take that low interest rate line of credit you’re offering.” And they said “for sure, yes, making your movie is a great investment in yourself.”  Then they rubbed their fingers together like Mr. Burns in the Simpsons. Ok, maybe the lady was actually very nice.  

I started casting and hiring my key crew in February 2020, and then Covid came and shut everything down. So, I had to postpone the shoot dates. But in a way it worked out for the best because the big union work was shut down for a few months and when we went into production on ‘Lunachicks’ in August 2020 a lot of experienced crew members were available to work on my set and could use it to see if they felt comfortable going back on bigger projects. So, I was very blessed to be able to surround myself with a lovely, talented team.

One thing you learned from this project?

Sadly, after the first day of filming, as I was driving home from set, I got a call that my grandpa had suddenly passed from a heart attack. My grandpa was a huge part of my filmmaking journey, he gave me my first camera, was an avid amateur photographer and filmmaker himself, and always encouraged me to follow this crazy dream. He was the first person close to me that I lost. It was such a weird feeling being on the high of finally making my movie and then having this overwhelming sadness come over it. It felt like the universe was telling me to stop making this film. I thought about canceling the shoot, but if I stopped, I knew I wouldn’t be able to do it again because of the cost. Suddenly I had to reevaluate why I was making Lunachicks and whether you should even make jokes about death. So, I learned that you really have to know why you’re making your project, and know it deeply. I did go forward with the filming days, and I was fortunate because I had such a great crew that really understood the film so it was easy to work despite the shock and sadness. I think pre-production played a big role in that too, so I’d say it’s a two-handed thing I learned: know why you’re telling your film’s story and surround yourself with a good team.  

How can folks find you and your film online?

You can follow @lunachicksfilm on Instagram or visit jessdirects.com/lunachicks 

Any last pieces of advice for fellow filmmakers?

Become independently wealthy, I personally get motivated by yelling JUST DO IT at myself every morning. For real though, the best advice I’ve heard and can give, is to just keep making movies.

People will surprise you with their willingness to work on your films if you believe in them yourself and you make something that resonates with others. Find your community and be a nice person. Or you could just become a crazy cult leader and get your films made using your outstanding charisma. I hear it’s a thing. For real though, I also highly recommend listening to film podcasts and reading scripts. It helps one stay focused, and you learn a lot about the industry. Good luck. PERSEVERE. *raises fist in the air and bounds off into the sunset.

For more reviews and content stick with To Tony Productions and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog to stay up to date!