.preview.png "'A NEW YOU' (2015) by Dane Hansen")
Dane Hansen's 'A NEW YOU' (2015) @ Palm Springs International Shortfest
Synopsis: "‘A New You’ is a short romantic comedy that calls in question the line between loyalty and love when the wingman, Jay, falls for the girl he is trying to pick up for his introverted friend."
In a recent interview with Dane about his film, here is what he had to say:
Were your characters inspired by real ones or are they each a part of your own personality?
I guess I did take inspiration from films/TV shows that utilize that group dynamic that makes you want to be a part of it. I kind of feel like they are each a part of my own personality, but to a slightly more emphasized degree. I feel like most people have experienced feeling like at least one or more of the characters at one stage in their life.
The dialogue is very clever in this. What films have inspired you the most for dialogue?
It’s definitely something I set out to do with the piece. The social network was a pretty influential film for me. Aaron Sorkin has a way of writing where dialogue is fast paced and natural. Most people, when they talk, don’t say what they really mean, but let it out in a sort of passive aggressive way, and I think that is the instrumental factor to making dialogue more natural.
You have a classic open ending here. In your mind, do they ever meet again? Or did she get away?
I’d like to think they do, but I’m not sure that’s what really matters for him. I think it’s enough that she opened the possibility to another world for him. For the sake of coming full circle though, sure! Why not?
Do you think you will turn this into a feature?
I think it could possibly do so, as I originally wrote it as a shorter scene for a feature. Although I think it also has the potential to work as a TV series. If given the opportunity to write and make it as a feature, I would definitely take it. For now it’s not really on the priority list.
What was your experience at PSSFF and how were the responses to this film?
PSSFF is an amazing festival. Everyone becomes so incredibly close by the end of it, and so friendly. You definitely make friends that you will feel like you will see again there, whether in the industry or just a a friendly gathering. The response to the film was what I would of hoped it would be, which is to say really warm. It’s always nice when people go out of their way to come up to you after a screening and ask questions or make comments on the film.
What are your plans next for this film and for future projects?
The film has kind of come to the end of it’s festival run now, but it’s been a great journey. I’ve been to about 10 festivals with it and it has taken me to places I’ve never been or never considered going before so I’m really thankful for that. I’ve also been lucky enough to be offered distribution deals, but mostly I’m just happy to file this under “experience” and move on with my next projects. As this is my first film, I’m going to do a couple of more shorts to find my voice and continue to learn.
View trailer for film here: