ONLY HERE AND NOW, 20min., USA
Directed by Raymond Singer, Michael Hopkins
Wartime, 1942. When 18 year old newlyweds Marjorie Hua and Private Tom Carlson arrive at the small inn for their honeymoon night, they're forced to wait for their room to be prepared. While waiting, their anxiety builds. Tom leaves for the war in the morning and what will their future hold? Will this first night together be their last? Finaly revealing the fears they've hoped to conceal, they're able to celebrate the strength of their love and seize the joy in the moments they have here and now.

Get to know filmmaker Raymond Singer:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
Quite simply, I fell in love with the first draft of Eugenia's screenplay and we determined to make it as a family project. The piece was somewhat inspired by our daughter's own sense of insecurity about the future during COVID and China-bashing, and the general fear young people are experiencing today in an uncertain world.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Eugenia is a dedicated rewrite-writer. From the first reading of the screenplay in our dining room to the final bits of post production, this project took the better part of a year.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Loving, romantic.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Nailing down the location proved difficult due to staff changes at the hotel. The next hurdle was getting a first class crew together. Once those were complete things moved quickly into production mode. We'd imagined a 4 day shoot, using light mats bolted to beams as general lighting and adding light at each location. We found out on Day 1 that the beams were boxed, not solid beams, and we couldn't clamp to them. Changing our lighting and shot design to within the new reality slowed us down and added a day to to our shoot.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was pleased the audience reactions were so thoughtful and picked up on the subtlety in the story. In the world of the characters' relationship there's much to celebrate but also plenty to fear. That the audience felt the strength Tom and Marjorie's love gave each of them was wonderful.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
At Eugenia's first draft.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Interesting question. Tough to answer as I've spent many years teaching screenplay writing and filmmaking at the high school and college level. I used lots of great films as examples for the students.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Honest thoughtful feedback is very useful. Being able to share the actual experience of making the film with others who might try themselves is of great value.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Excellent.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Good simple Italian food at a good restaurant. Or a quiet meal at home that's taken a few hours to prepare.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
Eugenia's working on two short screenplays and together we're developing ideas for longer projects for features or limited series. We'd very much like to expand Tom and Marjorie's individual journeys during the war, and their coming back together. Probably in the same hotel where Marjorie's been working as a nurse and Tom's been recovering from his experiences.