Exclusive Interview: In Conversation with Screenwriter Layla O’Shea on her First Directing Project, ‘A Particular Minute’

Three years ago, I reviewed a somber and sweet independent film called “Just Say Goodbye.” The film was about a pained teenager who tells his best friend he wants to take his life. The film had all the elemental horror of addiction, of a person being the only one in the world who knows someone else’s pain and being afraid to say anything. It starred Katerina Eichenberger, Max MacKenzie, and William Galatis. But the real gem of the production is that the film was written by Layla O’Shea, a writer and aspiring filmmaker.

And now we are pleased to reconnect with O’Shea, as she works on her latest project, a short film that she is seeking funding for. However, this time around Layla is not only writing the film, but directing it as well.

This week The Movie Buff had the chance to catch up with Layla about her project, her fundraising campaign, and her thoughts on being an indie filmmaker.

Mark Ziobro for The Movie Buff: Hi Layla, thank you for talking to us. Can you introduce yourself to our readers? 

Sure. I’m Layla O’Shea. I live in the beautiful town of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, where I raised three amazing children. I’m a project manager by day, and a screenwriter and producer any time I’m not working the day job.

A while back, we reviewed your film ‘Just Say Goodbye,’ which was powerful and somber. What have you been up to since then? 

I finished a suspense novel titled “A Well of Vengeance” that had been sitting on the back-burner for many years, which I’m now working on adapting to a limited series for television. I wrote a few short stories, and edited a TV pilot titled “Split Decisions,” which just won me a trip to L.A through Stage 32. Will have some general meetings in July with industry executives to see if they like any of my ideas, while also seeing if I’m a person they feel they could work with. Excited, but slightly terrified!

Can you tell us what drew you into indie film? What are your inspirations? 

Storytelling itself has always come a bit naturally to me. I’d hear someone say something, or something I see catches my attention, and all of a sudden my brain would be weaving a story around these things. While I started on the writing end of things, Matt Walting, who directed the film for my script “Just Say Goodbye,” approached me about co-producing it. I’d never produced film a day in my life, but I dove in, learning along the way.

I felt this was a good way to dip my toes into another area of filmmaking. I’m always loading up new challenges on myself for some weird reason! It is exciting, but also quite daunting.”layla o’shea

I understand you have a new film that you are working on called “A Particular Minute.” Can you tell us about it? How far along are you in the project? Are you finished or currently seeking funding? 

“A Particular Minute” will be about a 15-minute short that touches on racism, regret, redemption, and a bit of magic. I wrote it a few years ago based on prompts for the NYC Midnight screenwriting competition. It advanced in a few other competitions, including the Austin Film Festival. It had some interest from a couple of producers and directors, but ultimately didn’t get any traction with actual production. Then a filmmaker friend suggested I produce it myself. We’re not even a week into a 60-day fundraising campaign, and we’re 20% funded already, so things are going well!

What is the film about? 

The story centers around a widowed restaurant owner, who in a knee-jerk reaction, verbally attacks the new neighborhood shop owner after hearing her Spanish accent. He said it in a moment of anger, and while we’ll see he regrets the interaction, he can’t seem to bring himself to apologize. This fear of fixing what he’d done torments him. 

And can you tell us why you chose a short for this project? 

The script had already been written, so the project chose me. Haha.

This is your first time directing…is that right? Can you tell us about that? Is it exciting for you? 

Yes! I felt this was a good way to dip my toes into another area of filmmaking. I’m always loading up new challenges on myself for some weird reason! It is exciting, but also quite daunting. I want to do the story justice, and do it in a way that makes the entire team proud of the final film.

What are you hoping to accomplish with this film? 

To remind people that their words carry so much weight. But also that we’re human, and inevitably we’ll screw up sometimes, so don’t be afraid to make amends with people. Life is about our relationships.

Matt is a force when it comes to production. He’s so incredibly organized and encouraging that I don’t think I’d have been brave enough to tackle directing for the first time without him by my side.”layla o’shea

I see on the fundraising link that the film is listed as a Walting Production. Are you working with Matt Walting again? 

Yes! Matt is a force when it comes to production. He’s so incredibly organized and encouraging that I don’t think I’d have been brave enough to tackle directing for the first time without him by my side.

Where can people go if they wish to donate or help fund your project? 

They can hop on indiegogo.com and search for “A Particular Minute.” We’re offering all kinds of perks depending on the donation level, including shoutouts on social media, their names in film credits, producer status both in the credits and listed on IMDb, plus on-set experiences.

Any closing words of advice for those looking to get into indie filmmaking? 

From a writer’s perspective, I’d say don’t necessarily wait for someone else to produce your scripts. If you have a story you’re passionate about, see if you can find the right people to produce it yourself. It seems cliché, but don’t be afraid to network. When I say network, this doesn’t mean in a forced way. Develop relationships organically, over time. Be a friend, and offer to help people in the industry, whether it’s giving feedback on a script or helping move equipment on set. I feel making connections is key. 

I’ll give you an example. A friend and co-worker of mine pointed out an interview in the local paper with Screenwriter/Producer/Director Marty Langford over a decade ago. Knowing I was new to the craft of screenwriting, my friend suggested I reach out, so I did. Marty and I met for coffee a couple of times. He shared his knowledge about the business, and we’ve been friends ever since. He’s been an amazing supporter, and this relationship led to other connections. For instance, we hired his friend Warren Amerman to be our sound mixer on “Just Say Goodbye.” Good relationships take time —start forging them as early as possible.

We’d like to thank Layla O’Shea for her time and wish her luck on her project!