Behind the Screen with Finnerty Steeves on Making Her Award-Winning Indie Dramedy before/during/after

Behind the Screen with Finnerty Steeves on Making Her Award-Winning Indie Dramedy before/during/after

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Brie Clayton February 2, 2021

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While many people dream of assembling a Who's Who list of premier talents to help them tell their personal story on the big screen, highly accomplished actor turned screenwriter and producer Finnerty Steeves ( Orange is the New Black ) has brilliantly brought this widely cherished dream to Technicolor reality. On the heels of a very successful 2020 film festival tour, Gravitas Ventures, a Red Arrow Studios company, is now set to release Steeves' independent dramedy feature throughout North America on demand on Feb. 9. Co-directed by Stephen Kunken and Jack Lewars, before/during/after is now on pre-sale via Apple TV: https://apple.co/3nAy9W9.

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After discovering her husband's infidelity and ending their 15-year marriage in real life, Steeves eventually found herself in a Screenwriting class at New York University (NYU). At the time when my world was tipped sideways, I was aware that some of the things that were happening around me were really funny, Steeves began. I was too hurt to laugh at the time, but I remember thinking that if this wasn't happening to me, it would be really funny and that maybe, in time, I could write about it.

Through her coursework, piece-by-piece, Steeves shared her story with instructor and screenwriter Jason Greiff ( The Godparents ), with little sense of how it all fit together. With Jason's encouragement, I decided to tell the story in non-linear form, hoping it would reflect what it felt like when my marriage came to an end, she continued. I think going through a divorce or any kind of major life change can really shake you to your core. Who am I now? Can I move forward? Will I ever be okay?' I aimed to keep the viewer intrigued and discombobulated, echoing lead character Jennie's journey and transformation.

data-src=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/02235122/bdab4m_1200-1024x1024.jpg alt= class=lazyload wp-image-2402625 data-srcset=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/02235122/bdab4m_1200-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/02235122/bdab4m_1200-300x300.jpg 300w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/02235122/bdab4m_1200-150x150.jpg 150w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/02235122/bdab4m_1200-768x768.jpg 768w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/02235122/bdab4m_1200-624x624.jpg 624w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/02235122/bdab4m_1200.jpg 1200w data-sizes=(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px />Such a journey is bound to test one's personal network; fortunately, in Steeves' case, her friends are stars. Joining her on-screen in the lead roles are Jeremy Davidson ( Royal Pains ), John Pankow ( Mad About You ), Kristine Sutherland ( Buffy the Vampire Slayer ), John Ellison Conlee ( Boardwalk Empire ), Susan Blackwell ( After the Wedding ), and Richard Masur ( Transparent ). The stellar ensemble cast also includes Michael Emerson ( Evil ), Marin Hinkle ( The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel ), Miriam Shor ( Younger ), Kate Burton ( Grey's Anatomy ), Austin Pendleton ( Finding Dory ), and Deborah Rush ( Strangers with Candy ).

A co-production of Marsha's Daughter Productions, Indie City Films and Cutters Studios, before/during/after was produced by Steeves in tandem with Katie Hyde (who starred in and produced Lewars' debut feature, Mount Joy ), with Elena Berger, Jamie Zelermyer and Elizabeth Krajewski as Executive Producers. It was cast by Amy Christopher, with production and costumes designed by Kimberly Matela.

data-src=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/02234955/bda2m_1200-1024x404.jpg alt= class=lazyload wp-image-2402620 data-srcset=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/02234955/bda2m_1200-1024x404.jpg 1024w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/02234955/bda2m_1200-300x118.jpg 300w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/02234955/bda2m_1200-768x303.jpg 768w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/02234955/bda2m_1200-624x246.jpg 624w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/02234955/bda2m_1200.jpg 1200w data-sizes=(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px />Director of Photography Mark Sparrough's work spans features ( Snatchers, Mount Joy ), TV ( Deadbeat, 50 Central ), music videos and commercials, and this production put his Steadicam expertise to great use. Filming all around Brooklyn and Manhattan over 20 days, the team used an Arri Alexa via Panavision New York, shooting with vintage Zeiss Super Speed prime lenses for flashbacks, along with Panavision Primo lenses.

Underscoring dozens of blessings reflected in her finished film, on the subject of Cutters Studios going all-in, Steeves is ecstatic. The title for this article could easily be, Commercial Production Powerhouse Cutters Studios Teams Up with First-Time Filmmaker, she proclaimed. With credits that include #LikeAGirl, the hilarious Bill Murray Jeep commercial that won last year's Super Bowl, and so many others, it's no surprise so many people want to

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