Bryan

Yeah, and I think that whatever lens you’re coming from, whatever your background is, you’ll see something different in it. Like, gay people will get some of the humor that straight people wouldn’t and vice versa. So I think it’ll have pretty large appeal. I’m hoping, anyway.

Søren

I think there’s a huge advantage to that. It happens in movies all the time. There are scenes in Coen Brothers films that a Jewish audience might get that someone else might not find as funny, or in a Scorsese film there might be some throwaway Italian joke for the Italian audiences. But I think that as long as there’s enough content and humor otherwise, it lends itself to palatability.

Bryan

Right, we’re really trying to strike a balance with this, in terms of humor that could be a little bit bawdy or whatever. Or a little bit immature. (Laughs.) Mixed with heartfelt stories and connections about people where you can relate on that level. So hopefully we’ll strike that balance.

Søren

I really think that’s what you’re doing with this short. I mean, it’s about very real and mature themes balanced with bawdy humor that gives a sort of “in” into this world.

On that note, what drew you to making films about social change and the LGBT community? And what role do you think they play in affecting social consciousness?

Bryan

When you just think about where the world is right now, just specifically talking about LGBT issues, there was this gay couple in Philadelphia that was attacked by a mob of 20-something young people who went to a Catholic school.

Søren

Oh yes, I heard about that.

Bryan

Hearing that is shocking to me. I grew up in the Philadelphia area; those people who attacked the gay couple were from the same county that I grew up in.

Søren

Oh wow.

Bryan

Yeah. So that made me feel like, “Wow.” The reason that there needs to be more stories out there is so that people can see that we’re not just one-dimensional. That we have dimension, that we are human. So the more you can humanize a community that’s been oppressed, with a wide audience (hopefully more people will see it), I guess in the end people will laugh and that type of violence and mentality will go away. So in a nutshell, that’s what it’s about. It’s about humanizing us.

I like to thing we already are, but when something like that happens, you’re like, “Sh*t. I guess that’s not the case.”

Søren

I hear that. And this is just on a personal note, but when I hear about Jewish communities being attacked in Europe… It can be hard – it’s really hard – being a part of a smaller minority.

So with Spooners: The Webseries, what is the take home message? What do you hope to achieve? You mentioned a second season –

Bryan

Yeah, you know – it all depends on how the first season flies. That’ll be reflected in how many views it gets. That’s what really matters, in the end: how many people watch it, how many people share it. It would be great if it continued on, or if it was picked up by a network that let us have creative freedom with it but paid for us to make it.

Søren

Of course.

Bryan

That’s the hard part, the funding. So if funding came again in an easier way, it would be great to just continue it and keep up with the idea and keep up with the collaboration.

Søren

I know you’re not really sure how you’re releasing this, but is this really something you’re looking to pitch to a network? Or are you just keeping Spooners on Youtube?

Bryan

Well, we’re putting the first season on Youtube. I think these days, if I’m not mistaken, networks now look to webseries for concepts to develop them into series for their networks. Like Broad City, for example.

Søren

Did that begin as a webseries?

Bryan

Yeah, it began as really short episodes an then it was picked up for Comedy Central, I think. So it would be great – the best of both worlds – if that happens. But I guess we’re just taking it one step at a time.

Søren

Right, exactly! (Laughs.)