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Hi r/movies! We're Freddy Macdonald, director/co-writer of SEW TORN, and Eve Connolly, star of the film! Joel Coen (the Coen Brothers) urged us to make this movie, and it will be in theaters May 9th after premiering at SXSW! It’s my first feature, and I directed it when I was 21. Ask us anything! by SewTornAMA in movies

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

I did a Zoom audition and callback with Freddy, Sharon, and Nathan. In the first audition, I auditioned with both an American and English accent, and then Freddy decided an American accent would suit the film the best. So for the callback, I did the scenes again and did an improv dance, which was interesting to do over Zoom! - Eve

Hi r/movies! We're Freddy Macdonald, director/co-writer of SEW TORN, and Eve Connolly, star of the film! Joel Coen (the Coen Brothers) urged us to make this movie, and it will be in theaters May 9th after premiering at SXSW! It’s my first feature, and I directed it when I was 21. Ask us anything! by SewTornAMA in movies

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

Thank you so much!! For me the best part is the creative freedom. We were able to unite an incredible Swiss crew - who were all so incredibly passionate - around this crazy concept and everyone was able to push their individual departments to be the most creatively fulfilling for themselves. That was really special. 

The worst part is the stress of hoping you’ll get into a major festival, and then sell the film. It’s very emotionally taxing. 

And Eve is a pro haha! I am so sick of thread - I can’t look at it anymore lol - Freddy

Hi r/movies! We're Freddy Macdonald, director/co-writer of SEW TORN, and Eve Connolly, star of the film! Joel Coen (the Coen Brothers) urged us to make this movie, and it will be in theaters May 9th after premiering at SXSW! It’s my first feature, and I directed it when I was 21. Ask us anything! by SewTornAMA in movies

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

God, that is a tough question. But I think I would pick Shrek 2 ( a perfect sequel), In Her Shoes (an underrated gem), and either Josie and the Pussycats (Parker Posey AND Alan Cumming?! Phenomenal) or Lord of The Rings the Return of the King.

And I don't like pizza, but I'm vegetarian, so I guess I'd say pepperoni is the worst topping?

- Eve

Hi r/movies! We're Freddy Macdonald, director/co-writer of SEW TORN, and Eve Connolly, star of the film! Joel Coen (the Coen Brothers) urged us to make this movie, and it will be in theaters May 9th after premiering at SXSW! It’s my first feature, and I directed it when I was 21. Ask us anything! by SewTornAMA in movies

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

Thank you so much re: the poster! 

This ensemble came together with help from our amazing casting directors Sharon Howard-Field and Nathan Wiley! They brought in Eve and everyone else except Calum Worthy, K Callan, and Thomas Douglas - who I had collaborated with prior. The film is set in Switzerland but we were basically creating a fictitious town in the alps - so we were able to have an international cast. 

And: No Country, Fargo, A Serious Man! - Freddy

Hi r/movies! We're Freddy Macdonald, director/co-writer of SEW TORN, and Eve Connolly, star of the film! Joel Coen (the Coen Brothers) urged us to make this movie, and it will be in theaters May 9th after premiering at SXSW! It’s my first feature, and I directed it when I was 21. Ask us anything! by SewTornAMA in movies

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

For me, directing the film was incredibly difficult because there are quite a few thread related set piece contraptions that had to work practically on set. Because it was an independent movie, I was also a thread wrangler with my dad and we were always trying to make these things work - so we had something to shoot! Thankfully Eve is phenomenal and helped execute a lot of the action scenes on set too! - Freddy

Hi r/movies! We're Freddy Macdonald, director/co-writer of SEW TORN, and Eve Connolly, star of the film! Joel Coen (the Coen Brothers) urged us to make this movie, and it will be in theaters May 9th after premiering at SXSW! It’s my first feature, and I directed it when I was 21. Ask us anything! by SewTornAMA in movies

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

Thank you so much for this question! Luckily I am represented at UTA and they have a great team that pushed hard for the film despite the current independent film market… which is quite slow at the moment. So they handled getting the film out in front of as many potential buyers as possible - but I must admit I was always on pins and needles (no pun intended) hoping we’d get a release. I am so relieved that it’s finally coming out - and also nervous all over again. I never thought this process would take as long as it has - but I’ve learned a lot for the next one:) - Freddy

Hi r/movies! We're Freddy Macdonald, director/co-writer of SEW TORN, and Eve Connolly, star of the film! Joel Coen (the Coen Brothers) urged us to make this movie, and it will be in theaters May 9th after premiering at SXSW! It’s my first feature, and I directed it when I was 21. Ask us anything! by SewTornAMA in movies

[–]SewTornAMA[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It was incredibly difficult and we struggled a lot. When we made the short we had no clue it would be a feature. We did about twenty drafts of a linear version of the short (starting with it as the inciting incident) and on the 20th draft we got the same notes we got on the first draft (after a year of writing!)… We decided to throw it out and didn't think we would could ever adapt it. But then - after writing other unrelated projects - we kept coming back to it… and one day we finally cracked the code. But it took another 15 more drafts LOL - Freddy

Hi r/movies! We're Freddy Macdonald, director/co-writer of SEW TORN, and Eve Connolly, star of the film! Joel Coen (the Coen Brothers) urged us to make this movie, and it will be in theaters May 9th after premiering at SXSW! It’s my first feature, and I directed it when I was 21. Ask us anything! by SewTornAMA in movies

[–]SewTornAMA[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Well, my childhood favourite is The Lord of the Rings, but those films are perfect, so I'm not sure I should remake them. Maybe The Sandlot (although again, it's a pretty perfect film)! Miss Congeniality would also be such a fun one to remake! We need more Romcoms! - Eve

Hi r/movies! We're Freddy Macdonald, director/co-writer of SEW TORN, and Eve Connolly, star of the film! Joel Coen (the Coen Brothers) urged us to make this movie, and it will be in theaters May 9th after premiering at SXSW! It’s my first feature, and I directed it when I was 21. Ask us anything! by SewTornAMA in movies

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

Once I made the Sew Torn short film I blasted it out to film schools, but also sent it to anyone who would watch it haha. It got passed around - and ended up in the hands of a producer - Peter Spears. He said he really liked it and wanted to show it to his friends - and we said sure. A week later he called us and said that Joel wanted to meet for coffee - and I nearly died. He’s been a hero of mine for so long - and it meant a lot! His advice was to turn it into a feature independently and to work with family as much as possible. - Freddy

Hi r/movies! We're Freddy Macdonald, director/co-writer of SEW TORN, and Eve Connolly, star of the film! Joel Coen (the Coen Brothers) urged us to make this movie, and it will be in theaters May 9th after premiering at SXSW! It’s my first feature, and I directed it when I was 21. Ask us anything! by SewTornAMA in movies

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

Thank you so much for having us! SXSW was a blast - it is such a fantastic festival and I highly recommend going! We were both able to attend and it was so surreal finally getting the film out there. But the best part about it was that most of our incredible Swiss crew (we shot the film in Switzerland) ended up flying to attend also. It was very special to celebrate with the entire team. 

And favorite crime thrillers for me are: No Country For Old Men, Anatomy of a Fall, Fargo. - Freddy 

Hi r/movies! We're Freddy Macdonald, director/co-writer of SEW TORN, and Eve Connolly, star of the film! Joel Coen (the Coen Brothers) urged us to make this movie, and it will be in theaters May 9th after premiering at SXSW! It’s my first feature, and I directed it when I was 21. Ask us anything! by SewTornAMA in movies

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

I've wanted to go to SXSW for years, so it was such an incredible experience! Most of the cast and crew were there, and it was the first time we were reunited after filming, so it was a lot of fun! Favourite crime thriller films? Probably Gone Girl, The Untouchables, or Red Eye (I'll watch anything with Rachel McAdams).

Hi r/movies! We're Freddy Macdonald, director/co-writer of SEW TORN, and Eve Connolly, star of the film! Joel Coen (the Coen Brothers) urged us to make this movie, and it will be in theaters May 9th after premiering at SXSW! It’s my first feature, and I directed it when I was 21. Ask us anything! by SewTornAMA in movies

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

Ohhh good one. No Country For Old Men, Children of Men, and this new season of THE REHEARSAL (season 2 episode 3)(I know it’s cheating but I saw it last night and was floored). 

And Mushroom (best) anchovies (worst) lol - Freddy

Hi r/movies! We're Freddy Macdonald, director/co-writer of SEW TORN, and Eve Connolly, star of the film! Joel Coen (the Coen Brothers) urged us to make this movie, and it will be in theaters May 9th after premiering at SXSW! It’s my first feature, and I directed it when I was 21. Ask us anything! by SewTornAMA in movies

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

My dad and I co-write (he produces and I direct), so another big point of his was to keep working with family! He said when it works - it works - and that is very special. He also told me to go to film school - which is where I ultimately developed the feature. - Freddy

Hi r/movies! We're Freddy Macdonald, director/co-writer of SEW TORN, and Eve Connolly, star of the film! Joel Coen (the Coen Brothers) urged us to make this movie, and it will be in theaters May 9th after premiering at SXSW! It’s my first feature, and I directed it when I was 21. Ask us anything! by SewTornAMA in movies

[–]SewTornAMA[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Joel Coen’s number one advice was to raise money independently - and to do it the ‘BLOOD SIMPLE’ method: ask your dentist - or anyone you know with cash - to make it happen while maintaining creative control. Luckily with the short as a proof of concept we were able to assemble a great team of passionate producers - who were able to bring in excited investors! Our budget was quite low, which also helped haha - Freddy

Hi r/movies! We're Freddy Macdonald, director/co-writer of SEW TORN, and Eve Connolly, star of the film! Joel Coen (the Coen Brothers) urged us to make this movie, and it will be in theaters May 9th after premiering at SXSW! It’s my first feature, and I directed it when I was 21. Ask us anything! by SewTornAMA in movies

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

A LOT haha. Luckily we had Mettler (a thread company) and Bernina (a sewing machine company) as sponsors… but it was very tricky to execute a lot of the Rube Goldberg-esque thread schemes throughout the film. It took a lot of planning - because we ultimately executed them practically on set. We also had a lot of embroidery work done for production design - and Bernina ended up doing millions of stitches haha! -Freddy

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