2016 SBIFF Movie Spotlight: Cuddle Party

Get ready to have your funny bone tickled and laugh out loud with this short comedy film by Matthew Epstein.

Cuddle Party stars Michaela Watkins and Rob Huebel (Children’s Hospital) as Jane and Drew, a couple that are looking to reconnect with each other after hitting a rough patch in their marriage. They both attend an alternative therapy workshop known as a cuddle party, where the goal is to rediscover one another through the act of cuddling.

Epstein gives us a behind-the-scenes peek into what it took to get this movie done.

What was the inspiration behind the making of this film?

I went to a Cuddle Party!

I can’t remember exactly when it was that cuddle parties became part of my consciousness, but I knew immediately the idea of such a gathering amused me to no end. Eventually I had to go.

I was super skeptical at first, not expecting anything more than laugh at the expense of some creepy old dudes trying to get cuddled, but I was proven wrong. It was a unique and open group of people.

I was really fascinated by the idea that in a society where we so often assume intimate touch must be sexual, or even taboo, the cuddle community is altering that idea in a very G-rated way. They are suggesting that physical intimacy is as necessary and as nourishing to us as food.

The open approach of the community, and their views on intimacy and boundaries, both of those things really changed my personal understanding of relationships. So ultimately this film was about giving people a glimpse into a world that might challenge their understanding of intimacy.

After watching the film, I feel that it could have easily been a feature length film of epic comedy proportions. The right plot and elements are there. Why did you decide to make it a short?

That all really came down to time and budget. I wanted to make something that had the polish of a movie you’d see at your local megaplex; it’s not cheap to do. As a first time filmmaker, I’m really proud I was able to raise enough money to make what we did. I think the entrepreneur and business side of me would also say making a short has you assume less risk. Now I have a prototype to show off and say “I’m ready to make something bigger!”

I could definitely see following up the short with a feature version, but I’d also really like to explore these characters in a series for cable or streaming.

Can you talk about the making of this film and how that process was like?

It was honestly some of the most fun I’ve ever had in my life.

After writing the script, which was definitely the easy part, we built and launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise the money. I think people underestimate how hard it is to run a successful campaign like we did. You definitely earn your funding. From designing a slick campaign page with videos and cohesive graphic design, to asking every last person you know for money, it’s a full time job that forces you to flex all your talents as a independent filmmaker.

Ultimately it paid off by allowing me to hire a robust team of talented filmmakers to help execute the vision for the project. Once we got to set, we could just play and have fun. I have to thank my producer Tara Tomicevic and co-producer / editor Lex Benedict for assembling an incredible, diverse group on set.

You have two of the funniest people in the industry right now, Michaela Watkins and Rob Huebel. How hard was it keeping a straight face during the shooting of this film?

The whole set was dying with laughter. It was such a privilege to work the two of them, Yvette, and the whole cast. Sometimes the stuff between takes was just as funny as what you see on screen.

Along with our production sound mixer, I was the only other person tied into Rob and Michaela’s wireless mics. While we were setting up for our next takes, they would intentionally have these bizarre conversation in the mics to try to get me to laugh. It worked.

Looking back, if you could have done anything differently, what would that be?

I would have started building our crowdfunding campaign sooner. The way things went I wrote a script in April, built the campaign in May, raised the funds in June, did pre-production in July, and shot in August. A lot of people said I was crazy for planning to get everything done on such a expedited schedule. It would have been easier to take more time, but I am crazy, and we pulled it off!

What does it mean to you to have your film’s World Premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival?

I’m from New Jersey and have lived in Los Angeles for 8 years, but honestly, the Central Coast feels like home to me. It’s so beautiful and the people are so inviting. My girlfriend and co-producer, Amanda May Gavlick, she and I spend as much time as possible in the 805. We’re really excited to get to premiere our film in a place we hold so dearly, at one of the best festivals in the country.

Cuddle Party makes its World Premiere in the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Comedy Shorts block. The film screens on Wednesday, February 10 at 8:40 p.m. and Thursday, February 11 at 5:40 p.m., both at Metro 4 Theater.

For tickets and a full schedule, visit http://sbiff.org.