INTERVIEW: Director Isaac Feder Talks SEX ED!
((image courtesy of IMDB))
Isaac will be in attendance for the FREE screening of SEX ED, Thursday, October 23rd at 7:00pm at Regal Cinemas Palm Springs. Doors open at 6:30 so be sure to grab a seat early & stay for the Q&A with Isaac & cast members Haley Joel Osment, Laura Harring and Ray Santiago.
‘Sex Ed’ is your first feature. What led you to become involved in directing this film?
The story for SEX ED is loosely inspired by a cousin of mine, who taught English abroad. I was set up on a creative "blind date" with the screenwriter Bill Kennedy, pitched him the story, and he and I went on to develop the script together. He wrote the screenplay, and I was always attached to direct. We have since become very close friends and collaborators.
You have directed short films in the past including ‘Sadie & the Slot Machines’, which screened here at ShortFest in 2007. Would you say you have a preference when it comes to short form vs. features?
Making shorts is great for educational purposes, and SADIE was my thesis film while in graduate school at AFI. But for me, the goal has always been to make feature films. That's what I love to do.
What was the biggest obstacle or challenge you ran into when making this film that you didn’t face when making shorts?
The biggest obstacle, honestly, was finding a financing producer who believed in backing me as a first-time feature director. That's what takes so long to make a movie. But, the only way to become a director is to direct. And I'm very lucky that so many people who I work with, and I admire as well, believe in me.
Sex Education class was informative, yet could get pretty uncomfortable as Haley Joel Osment’s character, Eddie, discovers. Do you have any odd, funny or memorable moments that come to mind from your own Sex Ed class in school?
I do! For me, the first time sexual education was discussed in school was 3rd grade. I distinctly remember, before the unit started, being taken out into the hallway by my teacher, with another classmate of mine. Our teacher said, "You two are leaders in our classroom, and this subject matter can cause some giggling. The other students will look to both of you, and I ask you to please be on your best behavior." It was a good talk, but proved futile.
Making a comedy seems like it would be a blast, especially with this subject matter. Were there any on-set shenanigans you can tell us about?
We had a lot of fun making this movie. It was the summer, we were all away from home in Florida -- it felt like overnight camp. Everyone was happy to come to set and play: we became a group of friends coming together to make a movie. Chris Williams shaved "SEX ED" into his hair after he wrapped playing the Reverend. Haley, Glen Powell, Lamorne Morris, and Retta started getting very involved shooting Vines while we were on set. It was just a fun place.