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Aspect Ratio 2:39:1
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Shooting Format Black Magic 4.6K
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Length 8:22
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SYNOPSIS
With both of their Up or Out contracts ending, Isabella and Lucy, strangers who work for the same no-nonsense boss, are pitted against each other to accelerate the elimination process. Without realizing their connection, they meet in a bar and sparks instantly fly. The sparks soon fizzle out when Isabella realizes who Lucy is and she quickly says goodbye. In the world of dating apps, fate may have a hard time keeping these two apart.
With both of their Up or Out contracts ending, Isabella and Lucy, strangers who work for the same no-nonsense boss, are pitted against each other to accelerate the elimination process. Without realizing their connection, they meet in a bar and sparks instantly fly. The sparks soon fizzle out when Isabella realizes who Lucy is and she quickly says goodbye. In the world of dating apps, fate may have a hard time keeping these two apart.
WRITER'S STATEMENT
I wanted to change the narrative on LGBTQ+ films. So many times these films are full of guilt, sadness, deception, and anger about coming out or being gay; there are many small things I wanted to change, but in general I wanted to bring joy to the forefront. I wanted to celebrate the community. There is conflict and drama in the film, but not about any of the characters sexuality, it is who they are, but they are many other things too.
I wanted to create a film that my 8 year old cousin could watch, that didn't have graphic nude scenes, that didn't depict people struggling to come to terms with who they are or trying to get their families approval. That's not what she's seen in our family. I wanted to create a film that was the sequel to all those coming out movies, the "what happens next."
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
Everyone seems to be swiping right and left between potential affection these days. Like shopping online, we scan through profiles and add faces to our "cart". If we're lucky enough to begin chatting with someone, we evaluate their every word to discern whether or not they'd be worth meeting in person. Even while we meet in person, our phones gently vibrate to notify us of other "matches." We are continuously assured our soul mate is out there in case the current suitor says the wrong thing or simply doesn't look like their pic. At the end of the date, we politely say goodnight and immediately go back to our app, always looking for the next best option. We almost forget we are meeting actual people. And we are very quick to dismiss the person who is physically standing right in front of us.
UP OR OUT marries the 90's romantic comedy era with today's dating culture. This film playfully sheds light on meeting the person of your dreams before dismissing them for a false sense of connection. It lifts the sense of loneliness to inspire the innocent hope of love.
It was important to approach these characters as every day lovers regardless of sexual orientation. There is nothing in the dialogue discussing LGBTQ+ themes, it is simply a story of two women romantically connected. I want to honor the integrity of the story by focusing on the romantic light between two people. When we see the core of human connection, equality is inevitable.
It was important to approach these characters as every day lovers regardless of sexual orientation. There is nothing in the dialogue discussing LGBTQ+ themes, it is simply a story of two women romantically connected. I want to honor the integrity of the story by focusing on the romantic light between two people. When we see the core of human connection, equality is inevitable.
PRODUCER'S STATEMENT
When Shani Hadjian approached me to produce her beautiful rom com Up Or Out, I was not only excited to helm a comedy that feels like a nod to some of my all time favorites like “You’ve Got Mail,” but also to work on such an important story for the LGBTQ+ community. I was shocked to realize how few films representative of this world center conflict on universal themes instead of on themes about and because of identifying as LGBTQ+. Embarking on something new provided an incredible opportunity to assemble a production around the same inclusivity of the story. We were lucky to employ talented collaborators from a wide range of ethnicities, sexual orientations, and provide an inclusive experience. This beautiful story is about finding love and going for what you want. I can truly say collaborating on this film has made my heart soar from each shot planned, sound captured, light adjusted, and moment captured.
I wanted to change the narrative on LGBTQ+ films. So many times these films are full of guilt, sadness, deception, and anger about coming out or being gay; there are many small things I wanted to change, but in general I wanted to bring joy to the forefront. I wanted to celebrate the community. There is conflict and drama in the film, but not about any of the characters sexuality, it is who they are, but they are many other things too.
I wanted to create a film that my 8 year old cousin could watch, that didn't have graphic nude scenes, that didn't depict people struggling to come to terms with who they are or trying to get their families approval. That's not what she's seen in our family. I wanted to create a film that was the sequel to all those coming out movies, the "what happens next."
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
Everyone seems to be swiping right and left between potential affection these days. Like shopping online, we scan through profiles and add faces to our "cart". If we're lucky enough to begin chatting with someone, we evaluate their every word to discern whether or not they'd be worth meeting in person. Even while we meet in person, our phones gently vibrate to notify us of other "matches." We are continuously assured our soul mate is out there in case the current suitor says the wrong thing or simply doesn't look like their pic. At the end of the date, we politely say goodnight and immediately go back to our app, always looking for the next best option. We almost forget we are meeting actual people. And we are very quick to dismiss the person who is physically standing right in front of us.
UP OR OUT marries the 90's romantic comedy era with today's dating culture. This film playfully sheds light on meeting the person of your dreams before dismissing them for a false sense of connection. It lifts the sense of loneliness to inspire the innocent hope of love.
It was important to approach these characters as every day lovers regardless of sexual orientation. There is nothing in the dialogue discussing LGBTQ+ themes, it is simply a story of two women romantically connected. I want to honor the integrity of the story by focusing on the romantic light between two people. When we see the core of human connection, equality is inevitable.
It was important to approach these characters as every day lovers regardless of sexual orientation. There is nothing in the dialogue discussing LGBTQ+ themes, it is simply a story of two women romantically connected. I want to honor the integrity of the story by focusing on the romantic light between two people. When we see the core of human connection, equality is inevitable.
PRODUCER'S STATEMENT
When Shani Hadjian approached me to produce her beautiful rom com Up Or Out, I was not only excited to helm a comedy that feels like a nod to some of my all time favorites like “You’ve Got Mail,” but also to work on such an important story for the LGBTQ+ community. I was shocked to realize how few films representative of this world center conflict on universal themes instead of on themes about and because of identifying as LGBTQ+. Embarking on something new provided an incredible opportunity to assemble a production around the same inclusivity of the story. We were lucky to employ talented collaborators from a wide range of ethnicities, sexual orientations, and provide an inclusive experience. This beautiful story is about finding love and going for what you want. I can truly say collaborating on this film has made my heart soar from each shot planned, sound captured, light adjusted, and moment captured.
