Jessica Clark – Season of Love

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) When you began reading the script, what about your character Lou and storyline really stuck out to you and you connected with?

A) What drew me to Lou was the contrast between how accomplished and focused her professional life is versus how shy and goofy she is in her personal relationships. Lou made me giggle. She’s so funny (often unintentionally), which is something I don’t often get to explore in the characters I’m cast as. I also feel she is a really warm-hearted person and an amazing friend. It was so lovely to embody her during the production of the movie.

Q) How does Lou’s previous romantic relationships and platonic interpersonal relationships affect her perspective and outlook on love?

A) Lou has the outlook that I think we should all aspire to. For her to want to really dive deep into a romantic love it has to be truly worth it! She has a great, fulfilling life that she works hard for; a close-knit, supportive group of platonic friendships and a business she is dedicated to and passionate about. Any romance would need to add to all that and be genuinely worth making space and time for. There is no need to be in a romantic relationship for validation or escapism with Lou.

Q) The hallmark of rom-coms is this balance of laughter and love, and how that feels so pure. Even during all of the drama, we know that whatever the couple endures, they will come out on the other side. What is it about these types of films that warm hearts while tugging at them too and makes you root for these individuals regardless of these rollercoaster moments in their relationships?

A) I think on a really base level we all want to be reminded that it is possible to fall in love and stay in love. That we can build and deepen relationships, be they romantic partnerships or platonic friendships that span decades. Life is life and it’s going to drag us through the muck sometimes, but love and laughter can make it more bearable when it’s happening and it can still be there when we get out the other side of it all. Modern life can be really hard. Adulting (as I and my friends often say) is really hard. Laughter and giving and receiving love are the purest gifts that we have to offer each other and ourselves. Rom-coms provide that reminder. I have rom-coms I’ve watched at least annually for at least fifteen years because I know that, in the most simplistic way, I will feel better and a little more hopeful by the time the credits roll.

Q) The film is directed by Christin Baker. What kind of feedback and support did she provide for you throughout filming?

A) Oh, Christin is awesome. We had a blast working together (at least I did [laughs]). Christin is incredibly supportive and gives each actor a lot of free creative rein. She’s also pretty feisty and came out with some gems of observation regarding varying takes as she called “Cut” that had the entire set in hysterical laughter. I really appreciated her commitment to a truly diverse set. We had different races, gender identity, sexual orientations, ages and disabled cast and crew members. Appropriately we also had on-set training to ensure we were all communicating with each other in the most appropriate and preferred manner. This is something I would definitely look to have implemented on future productions and movie/TV sets I work on.

Q) What do you hope that viewers take away from watching Season of Love?

A) A warm and fuzzy glow is the short (and true) answer! On a deeper level, love is love in all of its many glorious forms. That we are all deserving of love and friendship. Finally, that however we are as human beings we are worthy of love exactly as we are.