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Now playing at New York’s Cinema Village, Quarter centers on Kelly (Kelsey Bascom), a young woman living with type 1 diabetes who has come to a crossroads as she is about to turn 25. Bascom co-directed the feature with Arnon Manor, and since this is indie filmmaking, getting the movie to theaters was not an overnight thing. The collaborators talked to Deepest Dream about the challenges of joys of making an indie feature.
Read more: Kelsey Bascom And Arnon Manor Talk “Seven-Year Journey” On Making ‘Quarter’The First Stages of Quarter
“Arnon and I developed the story together,” said Kelsey Bascom. “It’s based on a web series that we did together and it’s also based on my story of living with Type 1 diabetes. Arnon and I have a very close relationship and trust each other. Sometimes there are, of course, difference of opinions, but it’s a lot of listening to the other person and trying things out. It’s been a really amazing collaboration – a lot of trust and listening to each other.”
“Kelsey was in front of the camera – she’s in practically every scene,” said Arnon Manor. “Keeping an eye on behind the camera was my job during filming. But having two brains is better than one for sure.”
Brooke Shields Is Part Of A Talented Ensemble
Quarter features a plethora of talented actors in the ensemble. Breckin Meyer and Alexandra Wentworth play Kelly’s parents, and Brooke Shields, who executive produced Quarter, plays a gynecologist. Rounding out the ensemble are Raven-Symoné, Tati Gabrielle, Eric Roberts, Brec Bassinger, and Arden Myrin.
“We knew from the start that we wanted Kelsey to be the lead because we knew she was gonna knock it out of the ballpark,” said Arnon, who wanted to surround Kelsey with a ‘really amazing’ cast. “But she’s an unknown name in that regard. To give the film the best chance of success, other than making it realy good and funny, was to bring in a cast that everybody can recognize.”
Experiencing Quarter With An Audience
Quarter is playing at New York’s Cinema Village through November 19, and the filmmakers will have Daily Q&As at the venue. “I definitely want to experience it with an audience because it is really moving and touching when you hear people laugh and enjoy it,” said Bascom. “We’ve had some audience preview screenings and some people got emotional. It just kinda makes it real and it’s like ‘Oh, this is why we made the film.'”
Full interview with Bascom and Manor:
