Corey Camperchioli – Femme

By starrymag | September 21, 2018

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) With adapting the short film to a series, what are some of the impending challenges you might be expecting and experiencing with breaking it down into smaller segments for TV consumption? 

A) So many delicious challenges!  Money! Resources!  How do you take a story that is very contained and really expand it in a way that can sustain itself season after season?  It’s like a puzzle, but I’m absolutely loving the process of putting the pieces together alongside Alden Peters and Benno Rosenwald.

Q) Rachel Brosnahan has signed on to executive produce the series adaptation, how did she get involved with Femme and what makes partnering with her such an asset?

A) Rachel and I went to college together at NYU Tisch! We released our Kickstarter for Femme right around the time she wrapped filming the pilot for “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” It caught her eye and we brought her on as Executive Producer, which meant so much to me as a friend and also as someone who so admires her work.  I don’t know anyone who works harder or has a kinder heart.   We’re lucky to have her grit and her heart in Femme.

Q) For those not familiar with the film, what are some the themes that you aim hold true in the series?

A) The film is about learning to love yourself, and the series expands on that.  Loving yourself certainly doesn’t happen overnight, so we’re along for the ride as Carson and friends go on that crazy, hysterical, life-affirming ride!

Q) In Femme we see these characters with a lot of multi dimensions. Can you talk about how you constructed these characters who have this quirky and compelling dynamics and balance?

A) Thank you!  With a short film the story has to be laser focused.  The short film is Carson’s story and the other characters serve his character arc.  But I wanted to be able to show some depth to these characters, as well. They each have a nugget of their own truth that shines through, that empowers Carson to keep going on his journey. I took their own personal truths and let that be their north star in guiding their behavior, their dynamics, their quirks.

Q) How will the series explore and expand on what’s been the foundations from the film?

A) The short film is from one person’s perspective. But New York is a city of eight million.  The challenge is – how do we explore as many of these different perspectives as possible? Everyone is journeying towards self-love in their own way, so we want to see how that looks and feels from so many different perspectives.

Q) I would love to hear about how you and Alden Peters worked in making this vision for the film stand out.

A) Alden Peters is a godsend.  Everything you see as far as the visuals and the tone of the world came directly from him.  He took my words and my story and elevated it to places I never dreamt possible.  I met him at a party in Bushwick about three years ago and I count my lucky stars every day that I ventured to Brooklyn that night.

Q) Can we expect there be any recurring similar cast or new faces?

A) Nothing is set casting wise, but there will certainly be many new characters and many new faces, too!

Q) What has the outpouring of support from the film meant to you?

A) It’s completely changed my life. I read messages every day from kids around the world who feel validated by the messages of love and self-acceptance within the film.  If I’ve helped one kid learn to love themselves a little more, I’m happy.

Q) When will we be learning more and getting updates about the timeline of when we can expect the series to begin to film?

A) The next step is finding a home for the series, so if you have any leads, help a sis out!  Make sure to follow us on social @femmethefilm and at femmethefilm.com we’ll make sure to post all our updates there, promise!

Q) What is your writing process like?

A) I do my best writing on my bed with a candle burning and a mug of coffee in hand.  Weekdays are wild for me, so I try to keep one day of the weekend blocked off to stay in Astoria and write.  It’s my “fill my cup back up” day.

Q) How does Femme keep a steady balance between heart, lessons, reflection, and humor?

A) Femme is a comedy that touches on real issues. But I never want to hammer those issues too hard. I want you to be laughing, and then have to deconstruct that laugh.  Why was that funny?  There’s usually a deeper meaning we’re trying to hit through each joke.

Q) With the current political climate, how can we continue to amplify queer voices, push boundaries, and provide a broader landscape and platform for diversity?

A) We need to take a deep look at the “norms” and structures of power that we’ve been force fed to accept blindly.  Give the microphone to those whose voice hasn’t been amplified yet.  Let them know that they are worthy and listen.

ᐧ