Actor Ben Barnes and director Ami Canaan Mann
Filmed in Utah over a 20-day period, Ami Canaan Mann had a lot of work cut out for her as writer and director of Jackie & Ryan. However, in being an experienced creative mind within both TV and film (e.g. Texas Killing Fields, Friday Night Lights, NYPD Blue), Ami wound up thriving on the challenge of the time crunch.
Starring Katherine Heigl (Grey’s Anatomy, State Of Affairs) and Ben Barnes (The Chronicles Of Narnia, Dorian Gray), Jackie & Ryan carries the tagline “Sometimes they stay. Sometimes they go.” With the film’s stars crossing paths at difficult points in both of their lives, the viewer should know early on to expect a relationship-driven drama, although more of the thought-provoking variety. Fortunately, there is a strong supporting cast in place (including Clea DuVall from American Horror Story and Heroes and Sheryl Lee from Twin Peaks), keeping things further fresh and interesting.
Ami took the time to answer some questions for me, on behalf of Downtown, also clarifying projects ahead for her once Jackie & Ryan has completed its theatrical run.
Ami Canaan Mann/© Gusmano Cesaretti
How would you describe Jackie & Ryan to someone who hasn’t yet seen the trailer?
Ami Canaan Mann: Jackie & Ryan is a drama about a train-hopper/musician who meets a woman in a small town, who is at a crossroads in her life and struggling to maintain custody of her daughter. Jackie and Ryan connect through a mutual love of music and, during their three-day relationship, change the course of each others lives. Great performances by Katherine Heigl and Ben Barnes.
Jackie & Ryan was reportedly titled Your Right Mind while in production. What brought about this change in titles?
A: I really wanted a title that was strong and simple, that conveyed the core of the story. Jackie & Ryan does that, I think. Just a story about a man and woman and what happens when they meet.
You filmed the movie in 20 days. Do you find short production times like that to be invigorating? Or would it be more ideal to take your time on a movie?
A: Shooting a film in 20 days is definitely invigorating, but I also knew when I was writing the script that it would be that kind of a schedule because I wanted the film to be on the low end of low budget. So I wrote a lot of day interiors and exteriors, minimal location changes, etc. It worked for Jackie & Ryan both logistically and because it was in keeping with the themes of the film. For me, I felt like, even if you were able to get more money, you couldn’t really shoot a movie couched in the recession and focused on train-hopping on a big budget scale. Wouldn’t be right. So the making of the film all felt in keeping with the spirit of the story. Worked out all right.
While writing the film, was it also your plan to be the director?
A: Yes, I wrote Jackie & Ryan with the intention of directing it which particularly great as you take project through the stages of prep, shooting and post and see what you imagined in your mind come to be. The sequence at the beginning of the film, for example, is shot per shot, exactly as I envisioned it when I was writing. We’re pretty damn lucky as filmmakers when we get to see that kind of thing manifest.
Ben Barnes and Katherine Heigl star in “Jackie & Ryan”/© Gusmano Cesaretti
Do you see yourself as more of a writer, or more of a director?
A: For me, writing and directing really go hand in hand. I’m certainly a better director for having been a working writer for so many years and a better writer for having directed my own material. I think you probably learn to be less precious as a writer and more adventurous as a director.
For this film to be “successful” by your definition, what must happen?
A: By my definition, for a film to be “successful” means that, as the filmmaker and at the film’s heart, you said what you wanted to say in the way you wanted to say it. There are always compromises and the trick is to make the smart compromise, or the compromise in the smart way and still support the story you wanted to tell. Then, if after all that, the film affects even just one person who watches it, causes them to think a little differently about their lives, maybe even helps them, then the film is a success. It’s done its job. All the rest is gravy.
Once Jackie & Ryan has been released and all of the promotion has been done, what lies ahead for you?
A: We’re in casting now on a film project I’m really excited about, beautiful script. Shooting some episodic in the fall, and we’re in the initial stages of starting a non-profit organization that will provide arts education for elementary school age kids.
Finally, Ami, any last words for the kids?
A: Go see the film, the cast is incredible and did a fantastic job. Don’t train-hop, it’s illegal and dangerous. But do listen to great music and get inspired to do things you love just because you love to do them.
-by Darren Paltrowitz
