Dinner with The Big Break

An interview with Philip Andelman, director of The Big Break

  Who or what inspired you to write the main character of The Big Break?
The main character was supposed to be representative of an American every-man.  A guy who does everything by the books, who is a dutiful husband and father, a diligent worker, and simply cannot get ahead in life.  There’s a growing sense of helplessness in America right now that I wanted to tap into.  I also kind of worked backwards, finding frustration in bureaucratic vortexes and thinking “what is the worst version of being stuck on hold”, and then building the character and story out of this idea.

 How did you cast the actor?
Again, working backwards, I asked an old college friend of mine, Ben Kutchins, to DP the film.  A good friend of his was Justin Bartha, the actor who played Stephen.   After he signed on he suggested Paul Lieberstein for Ted, as he had just met him at a festival.  It was truly a dream cast.

 Can you tell us a bit about your background in film?
I went to NYU’s undergraduate film school and then spent the next fifteen years directing commercials and music videos for a broad range of bands and artists (country to hip-hop, pharmaceuticals to streetwear).  This is my first narrative project.

 What genres would you like to explore as a filmmaker? What subjects would you like to tackle?
I’ve always been in love with comedy and more than actual subjects, I’m interested in exploring what makes us laugh and why.  There is nothing more fascinating than laughing at something you shouldn’t be laughing at and then questioning yourself over this.

 Would you say that the short film format has given you any particular freedom?
Absolutely!  Not having a record label, a client, or an agency hovering over you is beyond liberating.

The Big Break is being shown in International Competition I9.