11/08/2014
Videology
308 Bedford Ave. Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY 11211

The film “Night at Amy’s” was conceived in 2008 after watching the movie “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe” by Adam Harlan. Adam Harlan had just finished producing his play “My Williamsburg Neighbors Downstairs” and was debating ideas for his next play. Experienced in minimal theatre, he wanted to create a theatrical experience in which the audience was eavesdropping on a conversation. He recognized the popularity of reality television after wondering with great curiosity people’s fascination with the TV show “The Hills.” I believe his quote was, “people watch this sh$t? People were literally watching people live their own lives. After being appalled by the writing for the reality show, Adam Harlan decided made a vow to write something better. He felt as though he could create a true reality television experience buried in a fictional love story. He also drew heavy influence from the “Before Sunset” and “After Sunset” films and wanted a minimalist two-person play in which the entire focus is on the character’s relationship and nothing else. He wanted to focus on a relationship void of names and occupations that get in the way. He wanted every word the characters said on the page to convey their emotional insecurities. Adam Harlan finished writing the play in two months and ended up sitting on the story for a few years.

As making movies became cheaper and New York theatre became more expensive, Adam Harlan realized that the play “Night at Amy’s” could be developed into a film. He liked the lasting element of movies and turned to his partner Jaclyn Amor to direct and develop the play into a movie. Since the film is originally a play, Jaclyn Amor and Adam Harlan decided to have it directed as a play, which meant a month of rehearsals before filming even began so that the actors could figure out the story in rehearsal as opposed to in front of the camera. They also wanted the film to be completely memorized so that the actors would have the stamina to act for long takes. Jaclyn Amor decided to use a two-camera approach to help reduce the production time and to shoot the scenes in chronological order. Some of the takes would last for sixteen minutes or as much time as the memory card would hold. The film was shot on a Nikon D4 and a Canon 5D Mark 2 and were both operated by Jaclyn Amor. This would make it possible to have the film shot in five days to reduce cost. Adam and Jaclyn began to raise money for the film through the crowdfunding website indiegogo.com. Through the donations of friends, family and a few people liking the premise of the film, they exceeded their goal. The entire shooting schedule was five days but was shot in four.

We decided to have the premiere at the screening room in a bar called Videology in Williamsburg Brooklyn because that is the borough that inspired the movie. Videology used to be a movie rental store that is still a movie rental store that added a screening room and a bar. It is a great venue to watch the film “Night at Amy’s” on a big screen, sipping on a beer, eating some nachos or ordering popcorn and eavesdropping on someone’s conversation.

For more information, please visit
https://www.facebook.com/NightAtAmys