Courtney Pape, an emerging luminary in filmmaking, has captivated audiences with her riveting web series, “Before Marriage.” This romantic comedy ingeniously delves into the story of a young college couple embarking on shared dreams, only to confront the stark reality of their diverging paths. Pape’s narrative prowess and poignant storytelling have solidified her as a rising star in the festival circuit.
What inspired the creation of “Before Marriage”? What drew you to this story?
The lack of communication between couples was the general inspiration. And the idea that simply talking out uncomfortable or unglamorous situations before you encounter them, could in fact save you an argument down the line or perhaps the entire relationship is interesting to me. And then finding the comedy in those moments where people really have to be honest and vulnerable is just fun.
How did the idea for this project originate, and how did it evolve during the creative process?
One of the first kernels of idea was cantered around prenuptial agreements, and wondering how outrageous or wild a person’s demands or desires of their partner would be. If each person wrote down on paper what exactly they want from their partner without judgment, what would that look like? The writing came pretty naturally after that. The structure of the vignettes or episodes happened as I was organizing topics I wanted to discuss and in the writing process I found that I naturally wrote kind of grounded sketches for each topic but they all had a quick cadence and rhythm. If I ever got stuck, I would just think about what I would love to hear a partner say or what I would never want my partner to say and that always spurred the next idea.
What themes or messages are you exploring in “Before Marriage”?
Communication reigns supreme in our messaging and there’s really no other agenda than, “talk it out.” We can all avoid a lot of hurt feelings as well as save time and energy when we are comfortable enough in relationships to express what we want and need and are able to hear the other person in the same way. And while we explore this through the lens of a romantic relationship, the general theme of communication applies to all relationships.
How does the story of this film resonate with contemporary audiences?
Contemporary audiences are very smart so for stories to resonate, I think they must feel real, be truthful and reflect the current state of reality. I would hope this film resonates with audiences because it feels real, because it explores things in ways people have both experienced but also because it maybe pushes further than they were willing to go in their own lives. But most importantly, I hope audiences feel the warmth and wholesome love of this partnership beneath the surface of this film.
As a writer, director, and producer on this project, how did you balance these roles during production?
The balance comes from sheer necessity. I don’t know how to do it. I just do it. While that is an oversimplification, I do believe in not overthinking things. Sometimes just taking that first step – taking action – is all that is required. The rest will come as you go. Striking that balance comes in time with practice and it’s always an act of awareness to feel out what is necessary in each moment and situation. It is challenging, but being in creative control of your own art is priceless.
Were there any particular challenges or surprises you encountered while bringing this story to life?
The general challenges of making micro-budget films were at play here. Making the best quality film we could with very little money is challenging; you’re always sacrificing one thing for another and hoping that decision was correct. Specifically, sound was a huge challenge while filming guerilla style. We were lucky enough to have both production sound grab the best they could and also work with a post sound mixer and editor who helped elevate the sound overall. Carli Plute and Bill Meadows were our sound superheroes.
What drew you to cast JJ Nolan and Andre Boyer for the lead roles, and how did they contribute to their character’s portrayal?
I cast JJ Nolan in my mind before I was even finished writing. I was in the middle of the process and kept envisioning JJ saying the lines – she was cast before she even knew it. It helped that I had worked with her before and we were personal friends so I really knew her voice, so finishing the writing process with her specifically in mind was hugely helpful. I knew Andre personally and as we were casting that role I kinda just knew it would be him. Somewhat similarly to JJ – Andre was most definitely cast before he even knew it. He’s so charismatic and upbeat I knew he would play opposite JJ so beautifully. Once cast, I allowed them to give me notes and change certain lines to make more their own but it was pretty minimal. It was collaborative for a quick second but then they took the material and ran with it.
Could you share a bit about the characters and their dynamics in the film?
The film follows a couple, Hannah and Colin, who each have specific ideas about what they want and don’t want from their partner and in their relationship. Their dynamic has a push – pull to it but they are (almost) always open and willing to pivot. No matter what though, they always stay in it and listen to each other – no one’s running away – they’re facing each other and any awkwardness or hurt feelings head on.
Did you employ any unique or innovative techniques in the direction or production of “Before Marriage”?
I don’t know how unique or innovative a technique this is – perhaps it feels foreign to some in filmmaking – but being open and vulnerable with people was very helpful when working on the production side of this project. Because I didn’t have the full financial resources to support the project in the way I would’ve preferred I had to be open with people about what I could offer and also exactly what was needed or expected from them in return. The result was that only people who really wanted to be a part of this project were, so in a way it was a silver lining.
How did you approach the visual and narrative style of the film?
The biggest hurdle visually was that I knew I wanted beautifully dynamic locations that weren’t just a house or apartment. However we had zero dollars to pay for any other location. But that limitation became an asset because we were forced to film outside which ended up being my favorite shots visually. And overall, I wanted the audience to feel the warmth, intimacy and realness of this relationship so the camera was handheld mostly, in close proximity to the actors and we used specific lenses to warm up the image.
What do you hope audiences take away from “Before Marriage”?
I hope audiences see themselves somewhere in the story and any take away would just be validation in their own experiences and communication: Talk it out before you walk it out!
How do you believe this film contributes to the current landscape of storytelling in cinema?
I think we’ll need more hindsight to properly see this, but I would hope this film contributes to the rise of independent filmmaking and storytelling. And I would love to believe that this film will inspire others to tell stories and make films that are personal to them. Nowadays, almost no one will support or encourage you to follow the path of auteurism, but I think more of us should be on that road than currently are.
Are there any upcoming projects or themes you’re eager to explore after “Before Marriage”?
Romantic comedies are definitely more on the forefront of my creative mind after “Before Marriage” in a way I didn’t think would be. So I’m excited to explore that more and tweak expectations of romantic comedies – play with more modern sensibilities and add in some rebelliousness and subversion to make it hyper fun and unpredictable.
How has this project influenced or shaped your future creative endeavors?
The limitations of this project and how it still came out was a huge inspiration for even myself. To see what we could accomplish with such little funds, is still shocking to me. And while I of course will strive for more financial support in future projects, I want to always remember the beauty and miracles that can be found from limitations.
Could you share an anecdote or memorable moment from the set of “Before Marriage”?
There was a moment while filming in the restaurant where we were in the middle of a take and everything just flowed and it clicked into place beautifully. I became aware in the moment that the camera was on point, the lightning and sound were there and JJ was in the middle of a mini-monologue and she was just in the zone. It was that perfect cross section of time that you work, sometimes years for, when everything clicks into place like magic. It was indeed magical and filled my heart with so much joy I started crying. I was so happy at that moment and can only hope and strive for more magical moments like that one in every project I work on.
What were some pivotal decisions made during the production that significantly impacted the final product?
Every decision, little and big, impacts the final product. I think the courage to make a decision, either way, is what you have to focus on, otherwise you can overthink your way out of anything. But having a strong sense of your non-negotiables will help. For instance, I think knowing that I wanted to work with certain people was a non-neogotable thing that helped inform decisions I made. Once I prioritized that, other decisions could be made with ease knowing that was a dealbreaker.
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