INTERVIEW with Meg Poveromo

How long have you been doing movies? How did you decide to start making movies?
I used to always make little skits with my friends and record everything when I was a kid. I always just loved to create. And laugh. There are a good handful of movies and TV shows that I watched when I was younger that I credit for shaping my sense of humor and brain development in general. I made my first like, actual, experimental short film in 2019 when I was kind of at a rough point in my life and it made me realize that I want to do that forever. I loved everything about filmmaking- seeing your own thoughts come to life is the best feeling. Even all the stress that goes into it is worth it because it makes the outcome so much more meaningful. It was cool to notice a specific directing style carry on throughout later projects. The bonds created and friendships that I’ve made during the timeline of each project are all super unique and meaningful and life after completing a new film always just gets better every time.

Why did you do this project?
My best friend Gabby had pitched me the idea of making a comedy movie about a lesbian bar back in like, early 2023. I started writing the script with no expectations other than to make some funny little film to show my friends and developed the plot from a bunch of inside jokes and scenarios between me and Gabby, as well as situations that happened to me in real life. I made the characters after people I knew-most of them being my old coworkers who I considered characters themselves. It became a really personal project for me. Most of the scenes just stemmed from things that took place in my life at the time. I remember going through such unfortunate circumstances and being like, “damn. I can’t wait to put this in my script!”.
…I’m definitely a much more optimistic person now than I was before starting this project.

(If you can say). How much budget did you have to do this project?
Roughly $38,000-$40,000. I had stopped keeping track after I hit $30,000 because it was giving me heart palpitations.

Was it self-funded or did you get budget/producers/investors?
I tried to go the crowd-funding route, but it didn’t work out that well because I hate asking people for money and I don’t have patience, so I ended up using a savings account that I originally started in 2016 to like, buy a house or whatever, since this movie was clearly more important. I ended up going over budget and my parents had to help me out a bit, which sounds kind of lame in hindsight, but I really get a kick out of feeling like a D-list nepo baby.

How long did it take from the initial idea to being able to release?
I’d say 2 and a half to 3 years.

Are you happy with the result?
Hell yeah!

What phase is this project in right now? Are you in the initial phase of sending it to festivals, middle phase or finishing the circuit?
Currently entering the film festival circuit, which means I’m taking a quick break from watching my movie 40 million times on repeat in post and getting ready to watch it 40 million more times at the festivals.

How has your experience been with the festivals so far? Where do you think they should improve?

Overall, I’ve had a pretty good experience with all the festivals I’ve attended! Hmm. Maybe giving earlier notification dates so I don’t have to book a flight on a whim if needed.

Could you tell us which platforms you use to submit your entries to festivals?
Filmfreeway since the start.

Normally, filmmakers use many references, favorite directors, favorite movies, etc. Were you inspired by any director or film? If so, tell us your references.
I love Kevin Smith films. Jamie Babbit, Wes Anderson, Ti West are other directors that have inspired me greatly. I’m always inspired after watching a good film.

Your favorite movie?
This is a super hard question. My top 4 on Letterboxd right now are Clerks II, But I’m A Cheerleader, Pearl, and Girl, Interrupted. But it really depends on my mood. I enjoy different movies for different reasons. Dude, Where’s my Car?, Stepbrothers, and This Is The End are some of my ultimate comfort movies. Chasing Amy is a classic. The Substance was my favorite movie of last year. Oh! Bottoms was a really funny film, too. I just saw Friendship the other week and I’ll definitely be rewatching that movie five million more times in the future.

Favorite series?

Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Do you see yourself making movies in 5 years? Where do you see yourself?
I see myself making movies forever! No idea where I’ll be since I’m impulsive, but I know it’s only up from here.

Do you have any other project in mind?
I have a bunch of projects in mind. My brain never stops working and my ideas are all over the place as of right now. A part of me really wants to make a spinoff of a subplot in The Box Trap, another part of me wants to make some crazy body horror psycho-maniac film and a third part of me was even thinking about combining those aspects. Maybe I’ll go completely off grid and even make it a musical.

What do you ask for the future? (cinematographically speaking)
More movies under 2 hours, more unique casting and less influencer/popularity-based, more color and less millennial grey/beige, more originality and less remakes.

Your best experience in a movie theater?
I would say my best experience in a movie theater will take place in the future, when I’m watching The Box Trap in Costa Brava with all my friends.