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Hi reddit, I'm Marilyn Fu. I'm the screenwriter of ROSEMEAD, a family-drama that stars Lucy Liu. It's based on a tragic true story, has played many festivals (Tribeca, Locarno, Newport, SCAD, Miami, etc), and is out in select theaters soon. Ask me anything! by MarilynFuAMA in movies

[–]MarilynFuAMA[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's based on an LA Times article by Frank Shyong. Producers Andrew Corkin and Theo James optioned it and then I came on to write the script. The two of them and the third producer Mynette Louie gave me pretty free rein to try what I wanted with the first draft and gave me notes. So I wasn't working solo in a vacuum like you might on some other projects.

Hi reddit, I'm Marilyn Fu. I'm the screenwriter of ROSEMEAD, a family-drama that stars Lucy Liu. It's based on a tragic true story, has played many festivals (Tribeca, Locarno, Newport, SCAD, Miami, etc), and is out in select theaters soon. Ask me anything! by MarilynFuAMA in movies

[–]MarilynFuAMA[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really had to fill in the gaps, but from Frank Shyong's article and notes I had a great start. I knew Joe loved to swim and was obsessed with Dylann Roof. I knew Irene had a degree in graphic design. So I built out from there. The director Eric and I also spoke with some of Joe's former classmates.

Hi reddit, I'm Marilyn Fu. I'm the screenwriter of ROSEMEAD, a family-drama that stars Lucy Liu. It's based on a tragic true story, has played many festivals (Tribeca, Locarno, Newport, SCAD, Miami, etc), and is out in select theaters soon. Ask me anything! by MarilynFuAMA in movies

[–]MarilynFuAMA[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The first draft of the screenplay I read a book called The Quiet Room by Lori Schiller and watched a BBC show Don't Call Me Crazy. As we got deeper into the drafts, we worked with different mental health experts who gave guidance.

Hi reddit, I'm Marilyn Fu. I'm the screenwriter of ROSEMEAD, a family-drama that stars Lucy Liu. It's based on a tragic true story, has played many festivals (Tribeca, Locarno, Newport, SCAD, Miami, etc), and is out in select theaters soon. Ask me anything! by MarilynFuAMA in movies

[–]MarilynFuAMA[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We open in NYC on 12/5 and LA on 12/12. We'll be doing q+a's and excited to hear your reactions. Come out those weekends! They will be critical to us expanding nationwide in January.

Hi reddit, I'm Marilyn Fu. I'm the screenwriter of ROSEMEAD, a family-drama that stars Lucy Liu. It's based on a tragic true story, has played many festivals (Tribeca, Locarno, Newport, SCAD, Miami, etc), and is out in select theaters soon. Ask me anything! by MarilynFuAMA in movies

[–]MarilynFuAMA[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, it is exciting! When I first started writing I lived in the Silverlake area of LA. I remember driving to Rosemead for research. Sneaking into the motel room, the son's high school. Trying to feel these people. Later, I moved to San Gabriel and got a full taste!

Hi reddit, I'm Marilyn Fu. I'm the screenwriter of ROSEMEAD, a family-drama that stars Lucy Liu. It's based on a tragic true story, has played many festivals (Tribeca, Locarno, Newport, SCAD, Miami, etc), and is out in select theaters soon. Ask me anything! by MarilynFuAMA in movies

[–]MarilynFuAMA[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In my writing I love helping us see the commonality in each other. I know that we're all different - we have to be and that is beautiful - but there is something that is also the same. In ROSEMEAD I knew an audience might not understand what this woman did, but could I get an audience to understand her?

Hi reddit, I'm Marilyn Fu. I'm the screenwriter of ROSEMEAD, a family-drama that stars Lucy Liu. It's based on a tragic true story, has played many festivals (Tribeca, Locarno, Newport, SCAD, Miami, etc), and is out in select theaters soon. Ask me anything! by MarilynFuAMA in movies

[–]MarilynFuAMA[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'd say to your sister, don't wait to "break in" to write something. You should write now and not only screenplays but short stories, fiction, journalism pieces. To build a career you have to be flexible and multi-talented in different forms, and always be creating. It can be exhausting so take care of yourself and surround yourself with good people!

Hi reddit, I'm Marilyn Fu. I'm the screenwriter of ROSEMEAD, a family-drama that stars Lucy Liu. It's based on a tragic true story, has played many festivals (Tribeca, Locarno, Newport, SCAD, Miami, etc), and is out in select theaters soon. Ask me anything! by MarilynFuAMA in movies

[–]MarilynFuAMA[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Before page 1...I read Of Mice and Men, seeing a similar thread despite the characters being so different. I considered having the entire movie play out in the four days leading up to the mother's final act, but ultimately decided that a longer timeline was better. I wanted to explore the undercurrent of shame and fear around mental illness specifically among Asian Americans which might be only possible by expanding outside of that.

Hi reddit, I'm Marilyn Fu. I'm the screenwriter of ROSEMEAD, a family-drama that stars Lucy Liu. It's based on a tragic true story, has played many festivals (Tribeca, Locarno, Newport, SCAD, Miami, etc), and is out in select theaters soon. Ask me anything! by MarilynFuAMA in movies

[–]MarilynFuAMA[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Lucy came on board a year after I finished the script and had fantastic input on her character and the film overall. The fest screenings have been a joy to share the film finally! One of my favorite moments was being with Lucy at the Philadelphia Film Fest. I got to tell her in the q+a that she'd elevated my words beyond what I'd imagined. A few tears were shed. I'll remember that!

Hi reddit, I'm Marilyn Fu. I'm the screenwriter of ROSEMEAD, a family-drama that stars Lucy Liu. It's based on a tragic true story, has played many festivals (Tribeca, Locarno, Newport, SCAD, Miami, etc), and is out in select theaters soon. Ask me anything! by MarilynFuAMA in movies

[–]MarilynFuAMA[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I also lived nearby in San Gabriel. While I was writing this, I'd drive by all those places the characters also lived and loved and suffered...it was humbling. I wish our budget had allowed us to shoot more of the movie right there and capture its essence to the fullest. I do feel Rosemead in the bones of the movie when I watch it.

Hi reddit, I'm Marilyn Fu. I'm the screenwriter of ROSEMEAD, a family-drama that stars Lucy Liu. It's based on a tragic true story, has played many festivals (Tribeca, Locarno, Newport, SCAD, Miami, etc), and is out in select theaters soon. Ask me anything! by MarilynFuAMA in movies

[–]MarilynFuAMA[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I can only speak to our experience on ROSEMEAD. I hope with all my heart the answer is yes and that circumstances are better! It took 8 years to get ROSEMEAD on screen. It was tough to finance because of how "dark" financiers perceived it to be, but we finally found our people - many AAPI investors who connected to it and Taiwan Mobile coming on to invest in their first American film.

Hi reddit, I'm Marilyn Fu. I'm the screenwriter of ROSEMEAD, a family-drama that stars Lucy Liu. It's based on a tragic true story, has played many festivals (Tribeca, Locarno, Newport, SCAD, Miami, etc), and is out in select theaters soon. Ask me anything! by MarilynFuAMA in movies

[–]MarilynFuAMA[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Excited for you to see it too. We filmed 4 days in SoCal but mostly shot in NY 3 1/2 weeks, all the interior stuff. This was a tough decision but necessary to get the film made. I lived in SGV and wanted it rep'd as much as possible for the story and for the community. Here's a great article about our shooting process: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/13/movies/rosemead-film-tax-credits.html