The Last Croissant Film Spotlight
Today’s film spotlight focuses on the short film The Last Croissant directed by Jessica Redish.
What is the title of your film and what inspired said title?
The title of my film is “The Last Croissant.” It was inspired by the many times I found myself in line at Starbucks, staring at the last croissant, wondering if someone was going to buy it before I could. The woman in the film, played by Jenna Rossman, will do whatever it takes to get that last croissant.
Tell us a little bit about the story and origins of your film.
When I really became curious about film and wanted to try my hand at it, I was learning from a friend who was helping me with a music video. My mind started thinking in film once she began instructing me, and during one of our meetings, we parked at a local convenience store. My friend headed in and as I watched her at the counter waiting in line, the story came to me – what if an impatient woman literally punched a man out for the last croissant?
I had the hook.
Years later, at the encouragement of a colleague who is a network TV director, I made it. She stressed the importance of having a narrative work sample, since narrative comedy films and television is my interest, and I went for it.
Any films or filmmakers that inspired this film?
No, just my brain. Ha! When I was traveling for work on airplanes frequently, I would watch “30 Rock” on the screens that used to be above everyone’s seats and just study how the shots were framed and how the camera moved. I didn’t plug in my ear phones. I would say to myself: “That’s a medium.” “That’s a medium close.” “OTS.” Now I don’t even have to think. I wasn’t making films yet – I was still in theatre – but I was studying it every time I flew!
I think that sort of single-cam-style television was probably in mind, but I had also begun studying Hitchcock at UCLA Extension, where I was the Ingrid Skulstad Williams Scholarship Recipient to receive my Certificate in Directing at the Entertainment Studies Program. It was an online course (pre-2020) called “The Language of Filmmaking” and I really loved it. We learned about the ways Hitchcock would and could instill fear and suspense in the viewer. I think, in “The Last Croissant,” the protagonist has more fear and suspense than the audience! And that’s the joke.
What is the goal of the film for you?
I made it to see if I could. I had been making music videos, working in theatre and choreographing for theatre and music videos – once I moved to LA it was clear my future was in narrative filmmaking. I had directed tons of full-length plays and musicals, but here I needed to prove I could direct narrative on camera. And I did! The film really points to the moment I pivoted to being a writer/director – everything came together all at once. The film has been featured on Funny or Die and won comedy festivals all around the country, and has booked me a great deal of work. I’m delighted it has resonated with audiences from The Chinese Theatres to Atlanta to the UK to Brazil.
What has the journey been like getting the film into production?
It was fast and furious. I had the idea and mentioned it to a great DP/gaffer I met on an airplane. His name is Jeff Fitzgerald and he really helped make this happen, so I owe him a great deal. I like to say we started pre-production 35,000 feet in the air. He suggested a great location, I gave them a call, and we booked it, got a cast and filmed two days later. The urgency was useful – it was very chill but there wasn’t a lot of dilly-dallying. We just made it.
One thing you learned from this project?
To go with my impulses. If you want to make something, make it. Don’t dawdle.
How can folks find you and your film online?
“The Last Croissant” can be viewed on my website: www.jessicaredish.com
And you can find me on IG at @jessicaredish or on Twitter @JessicaRedish
Any last pieces of advice for fellow filmmakers?
Make the film. Develop the idea – don’t waste your resources – but make it, get practice doing it. Life is short.
Keep learning. I’m currently receiving my MFA at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts in Film & Television Production. My studies + instinct have made me the filmmaker I am today.
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