THE TEAM

Alex Tennent and Eric Wasserman have known each other for thirteen years and have always wanted to collaborate creatively. It was Alex’s concept to have Eric adapt his own book of short stories for the screen for him to direct as his first feature. Working together, the two have taken three major stories from Eric’s book along with characters from several others and have linked them together into one narrative with new intertwined relationships. Alex contributed his visual sensibility during the entire process of Eric adapting his own work into the screenplay. “I don’t believe literal adaptations always work for the screen,” Alex says. “What is essential is to capture the spirit of the source material and then make it your own. I’m really excited that Eric has embraced constructing a script that showcases half of its elements from his book but also provides compelling original material to give an audience a more cinematic experience.”

Both Oregon natives, Alex and Eric have approached the script development, and now the project’s preproduction, with care for depicting the characters and their Portland surroundings with emotional authenticity. “Growing up in Oregon carries its own special experience,” Eric says. “Alex implicitly understands that. If you’re going to present Portland life, especially that of young people, whether that be its Jewish community or capturing the general essence of what makes the Northwest unique, it needs to be in the hands of a director with a personal reference point.”

Community is first in the minds of both the director and writer. They plan to shoot the entire film around Portland, Oregon and surrounding locations. Likewise, the movie will showcase many local talents, including area musicians for the picture’s score. “I want the film to be intimate,” Alex says. “Movies are a collaborative art form. If I work with a production team that takes pride in their sense of place in the world that will inherently transcend to the screen, whether it’s the actors bringing Eric’s characters to life or a dedicated crew wanting to capture minute details.”

Principle photography for the movie is tentatively being organized at this time, and the project will be financed entirely from individual investors (more information will be forthcoming for interested investors). “Writers are typically apprehensive of their work being placed in the hands of others,” Eric says. “I’m lucky not to have that worry. It’s a rarity that a writer can sit back and watch his work being interpreted with the utmost sincerity. Perhaps that’s what friendship is about.”

MORE INFORMATION TO COME; STAY TUNED FOR DEVELOPMENTS

Contact the team.

Check out the book the film is based on

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