Night cap with Jeri’s Grill

An interview with Ed Flynn, director of Jeri’s Grill

 Can you tell us more about working with a theatre company on this film? What motivated you to create an “ensemble” film?
I started to think about Jeri’s Grill after a period spent watching as many Robert Altman films as I could get my hands on. I found myself falling in love with so many of the performances in his movies that I began to wonder why. They’re bursting with characters with incomplete story lines who talk over each other and yet somehow you get to know each individual intimately. I decided to cast my short first and then develop the script to suit the actors. I’m an ensemble member of The Gift Theatre Company in Chicago, so I started with them and added a few comedians and we went from there.

 What were you interested in portraying by having the characters discuss the latest film franchise? Would you consider yourself to be a bit of a “fanboy” or were you more of an outsider looking into that world?
In America, you can’t walk in any direction very long without tripping over someone having a serious conversation about a comic book movie. Massive, global franchise films bring so many different kinds of people together. It’s kind of amazing. I wanted Jeri’s Grill to be about lots of different characters coming together, so I invented the “Galaxy Friends” franchise as a sort means to that end.

 I assume Jeri’s Grill is a real place. Why did you pick it as a location?
Jeri’s Grill is a real working diner in Chicago. It draws customers of every kind. Everything about Jeri’s is pleasing. The food is delicious. We shot through the night over several days, and after packing the truck we’d often stick around for eggs and toast when the diner would reopen.

 Am I right in understanding you have a background in theatre and improv? Is that something you’re still taking part in?
I am a working comedian and actor. I perform stand-up and improvised comedy and theatrical plays regularly in Chicago and Los Angeles. I am a company member of The Gift Theatre, which makes up the majority of the cast of Jeri’s Grill.

 What made you transition to film? What are you looking to explore next?
I got in to film through sketch comedy. My comedy writing partner at the time, Aemilia Scott, wanted to write and direct her first short film ‘Best If Used By’ (a Clermont 2013 alum). I served as a producer and enjoyed the process so much I began making my own films as well. My next short is about a woman who tour manages a band of boys on a van tour.

 What were you particularly interested in exploring in terms of the dynamics between the various people?
I’ve always loved watching people behave in restaurants. The way people share space reveals a lot.

 What sort of freedoms would you say the short format allows?
Short films allow the idea to dictate form without the pressure of filling for time. Some wonderful ideas can’t and shouldn’t fill one hundred minutes.

 Are other releases scheduled?
Clermont is our world premiere. We hope to continue to screen across the world.

Jeri’s Grill is being shown in International Competition I9.