FIRST GRADE HEADACHE, 13min., Canada
Directed by Jajube Mandiela
A burnt out first-grade teacher finds herself in a night from hell when a group of vindictive parents break into her home.

Get to know writer/producer/star Jacqueline Godbout & director Jajube Mandiela

What motivated you to make this film?

Jacqueline (writer): I was wanting to make a horror film next, but it seems whenever I start writing anything remotely dark, it always becomes a dark comedy. I’m leaning into it now. Growing up, my mom was a teacher and I also work part time as a music teacher so there were likely some thoughts from that world floating around in my brain when daydreaming ideas. One day, I was just doing my favourite activity of playing around with loglines (no joke) when I came up with the logline of First Grade Headache. Right away, it was very clear to me that I wanted… needed to make this film now.

Jajube (director): It’s quirky, absurd and yet plausible. Looked like a fun script to film, I could relate to it, and genuinely laughed upon first reading it. How to direct it was very clear in my mind, and for a while Jacqueline (writer) and I had been regularly meeting to see how to collaborate on another project together.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

Jacqueline (writer): About 10 months. Writing, pre-production, and production all went smoothly and rather quickly for a no/low budget film. What took the longest was post-production but we pulled through and I’m very happy with how our film turned out.

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

Jajube (director): Absurdly plausible.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Jajube (director): Securing the locations to film at. We kept having locations fall through, not be available on the dates we needed, or have loud activities happening beside them. We even considered jumbling the schedule to make it into an odd night shoot or have the whole crew drive over an hour outside of the city to film at the home of my (the director’s) relative. Amidst this, the bathtub scene kept getting rewritten for different types of bathrooms. Our final locations included a home with a full bathtub so we ironically went back to filming a very early version of the bathtub scene.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
Jajube (director): Delight! So glad they laughed, were entertained, and that they found the social critique was accurate, current, can spark more conversations, and wasn’t “preachy”. The audience got exactly what we were aiming for!

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I realized I wanted to make films when I had a not-so-great experience on set with a filmmaker as a young actress, and after that, I decided that I likely could write, produce, and direct better than they could and maintain a fun, respectful, creative vibe on set and it’s been a wonderful journey ever since. I am so excited about my stories and I am eager to continue collaborating with amazing artists to bring these stories to life.

Jajube (director): In 2010 when I started to have dreams of film ideas. At first I started writing down ideas based on my dreams and friends’ interesting stories, then I realized that like with theatre, I was more interested in directing.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Jajube (director): Bring It On!

Jacqueline (writer): Little Miss Sunshine

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

Jacqueline (writer):

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

Jacqueline (writer): I have used FilmFreeway before for submitting past films and it is always a very smooth, enjoyable experience. Will absolutely continue using the platform for all my future films as well.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Jacqueline (writer): I love a bimbimbap and I also love my partner’s amazing cooking.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Jacqueline (writer): Yes! I am in pre-production with my next short film called Sugar. It is my first drama but with my usual quirky awkward touch. I will be writing, acting and co-producing this one as well. I am also writing my first feature: a horror comedy. Wish me luck and follow the journey on IG: ajfilms.ca