Time is Valuable and Life is Brief: Director Alicia MacDonald Discusses Finding Emily – Exclusive Interview

      Robert Kojder speaks with Alicia MacDonald, the director of Finding Emily…

      After successfully working on numerous TV commercials and short films (including winning awards at festivals), it was only a matter of time before Alicia MacDonald made her feature film debut. This comes in the form of the insightful and engaging romantic comedy Finding Emily, which tells the story of Owen (Spike Fearn), a young sound engineer and aspiring musician, who embarks on a journey to reconnect with Emily (duh), a girl he clicked with at a party. Unfortunately, he discovers that she entered her phone number incorrectly.

      Owen heads to Manchester University, where Emily is enrolled, and makes a series of questionable decisions in his pursuit. Along the way, he encounters another Emily, a psychology student who is exploring the idea that romance is antiquated and leads to self-destructive behaviors. She effectively uses Owen as a test subject and occasionally treats him more like an experiment than a person.

      The concept is inherently clever and is executed with a lightheartedness and humor that balances both romance and comedy with a significant dose of intelligence. Therefore, it was exciting to discuss the film with Alicia MacDonald, covering various topics from casting to how she immersed her actors in their roles, an earlier version of the screenplay set in Los Angeles, comparisons to John Carney's works, realizing her desire to direct while working on production design for Mike Leigh, and more. Alicia is upbeat, approachable, engaging, and easy to converse with. There's a strong sense of confidence in both herself and her collaborators, which evidently paid off, as the film is a fantastic romantic comedy (potentially the best of the year) and definitely worth watching. Enjoy the interview below:

      This could very well be my favorite romantic comedy of the year.

      Thank you! That's wonderful to hear.

      You're welcome. I understand the original script was set in Los Angeles. Did you ever read that version or contribute to shifting the setting to Manchester?

      No, actually. I wish I had seen the LA version. By the time it reached me, it had already been relocated to Manchester. Maybe I’ll check it out. Or would that stress me out? [laughs]

      I’m curious about the differences, if there are any at all.

      Probably not many… Actually, I’ll try to find out. You’ve inspired me!

      Spike isn’t a singer. Can you tell me about the musical training you provided him and why you believed he would convincingly portray that aspect of his character?

      It's interesting. I had complete faith he would succeed. I didn't even have doubts. He had a fantastic guitar teacher and a vocal coach, and he was incredibly committed. He sent me little rehearsal videos, proving his determination to succeed. And he did it in just three weeks! We put him through a boot camp, and he crushed it.

      Regarding music, you took on a significant challenge with many musical elements. There’s singing, live performances, and even a music video sequence in the end credits. Can you discuss your preparations for all that and what gave you the confidence to execute it?

      Great question! I’m not sure. Music has always been a key part of everything I do. I always create extensive playlists and enjoy editing rhythmically to specific music that makes viewers feel sonically engaged. Subconsciously, this timing creates a unique effect on the brain. We incorporated a lot of that here. It’s something I love doing, and I appreciated the challenge and scope this film provided. The live music scenes were enjoyable, and the music video was a last-minute endeavor we shot in half a day. It started raining, and everything was chaotic, but it was a blast. Music holds a significant place in my life, and I felt a strong responsibility to get it right. Surprisingly, I felt confident in this area. It’s something I’m truly passionate about.

      The film and that aspect remind me of John Carney's movies. Have you drawn inspiration from him at all?

      Absolutely, John Carney! Although I hadn't seen Sing Street until after completing this film.

      Oh, that's my favorite!

      I know! I watched it recently for the first time, and many people mentioned that my film reminded them of Sing Street. After watching it, I could see the similarities. It’s such a beautiful film. I find his career fascinating; music plays such a vital role in his films, and now after this experience, I can see that music will always be significant in mine as well. He’s a true inspiration.

      Now you've got me excited for your next project!

      Thank you!

      I also saw that you worked on production design for Mr. Turner. Did he teach you anything that prepared you for directing your own film?

      Absolutely! Working with Mike, I served as a production assistant and briefly as his assistant. It was during this time that I realized I wanted to direct; I had mainly focused on writing until then. Observing Mike’s process was truly inspiring