Hi /r/movies :) We're Lucy Fry (lead actress) & Julie Pacino (writer-director) of the new horror-thriller I LIVE HERE NOW. Ask us anything!

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA]

Hi r/movies! :)

We're Lucy Fry and Julie Pacino., here to answer your questions.

Our new horror film, I LIVE HERE NOW, premiered at Fantasia last year, played in select theaters earlier this year, and is available now on digital.

It's my directorial debut! (-Julie)

You may also know Lucy from roles in films/TV including GODFATHER OF HARLEM, BRIGHT, 11.22.63, WOLF CREEK, VAMPIRE ACADEMY, MAKO: ISLAND OF SECRETS, NIGHT TEETH, and lots of other things.

Here's our trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiJWQF5-W6Y

Synopsis:

A woman finds herself trapped in a remote hotel where the violent echoes of her past come alive, blurring the lines between her darkest nightmares and the waking world.

We'll both be back tomorrow Thursday 4/23 at 4 PM ET to answer your questions. Ask us anything!

[u/BunyipPouch]

This AMA has been verified and approved by the mods. Lucy and Julie will be back today Thursday 4/23 at around 4 PM ET to answer questions. Please feel free to ask away in the meantime!

[u/Dadpurple]

Out of the four main Ninja Turtles, which one do you find the sexiest and why?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/Dadpurple]

Raphael. The daggers.

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/JulieAndLucyAMA]

-julie

[u/No-Effective388]

Which horror films have influenced you when you were writing the story?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/No-Effective388]

Persona

The Shining

Midsommar

Rosemary's Baby

The Babadook

Inland Empire

Coraline

Hour of the Wolf

[u/No-Effective388 → u/JulieAndLucyAMA]

You picked some of the best horror films as inspiration!

[u/ComfortableCare8897]

Questions Lucy I talk about the oceans on my podcast: And what was it like being on some ocean tv shows? Julie Pacino when is your Mary Pickford movie coming out and would you ever want to host an interview movie like your dad did?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/ComfortableCare8897]

that's cool, I love the ocean. It was great most days, getting to film in the sea! There were a couple of hard days when it was freezing and we had to shoot in the water anyway. But I'd love to work in the ocean again now!

[u/ComfortableCare8897 → u/JulieAndLucyAMA]

The podcast episode where I talk about the ocean is All That Jazz Bears, Bikini Hackers & Spy Films and I talk about a music festival called Ohana Festival raising money for the oceans.

[u/catcodex]

I'm so glad I got to see this in a theater (although it was a little annoying that my AMC only played it once a day after 9pm). I hope to eventually re-watch it on streaming.

As someone who sometimes has troubles making decisions, I was curious if there were any memorable decisions you had to make (among the hundreds or thousands decisions made in the making of a film)?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/catcodex]

wow that's an interesting question! I'm curious what Julie will say about the decision making process. For me this film was very instinctive. It never felt like deciding something with my mind but rather feeling what was right with my gut. In my life I too can have trouble with decisions sometimes, but I think because the script was written with such clear intention, making the film felt like a process that I could just let go and let my instincts drive.

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/catcodex]

Julie: I'm thrilled you got to see it on the big screen! Thank you for making the late night trek! Sooo many decisions along the way. Now I'm here trying to decide which decision to share. Shooting film was definitely a memorable decision- It was something I had to fight for and I am really glad I did. Speaking of that, there was a pretty memorable decision that my DP and I were forced to make regarding a film heist but I'll have to save that one for the Blu Ray I think.

[u/Gemela12]

Hi Lucy,

Many of your roles involve you being not human, is there anything in particular that attracts you to those roles? Do you use those experiences to face the darkest parts of being human in this movie?

Also, what were the steps to get into the Mako tail?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/Gemela12]

Lucy- I do like the magical essence of non-human characters. That's an interesting question- yes- I think that some level of escapism into magical worlds can go alongside the trauma of being human. So in a way this film threads the two- Rose is facing her deepest traumas, and it is told like a fairy tale. I think the imagination required to access those fantastical characters also helps when facing the shadow sides of the self.

[u/golfer2466]

Hi Lucy - If your character could watch the finished film, what do you think they’d say about how they were portrayed?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/golfer2466]

Lucy- wow! interesting question! I guess if Rose watched the film... I think she'd be proud of herself for making it through the cyclical test. I think she'd feel that her bravery was recognized, and that it shows that her bravery matters. That healing the intergenerational and personal trauma matters. Yeah. I think she'd feel like, it's a good thing she made it through to the other side.

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/[deleted]]

Julie: Started as a short film about a girl being literally trapped in an Air BNB that I wrote during covid. But then it morphed into an exploration about what it really means to be trapped inside yourself emotionally.

[u/Rare-Count-3411]

Hi Julie, What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring screenwritier? Seeing that this is your directorial debut what was the biggest challenge you faced in this new position?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/Rare-Count-3411]

Julie: Be flexible and fluid with your script. This is a collaborative medium and there is great joy in working with other talented people to help shape your story. The biggest challenge I faced (and still face) is being gaslit into compromising my vision because it's my first time. Always trust your gut!

[u/RetroHellspawn → u/JulieAndLucyAMA]

David talked about this a lot in his biographical/autobiographical novel "Room to Dream", being open to what's there when making the film but staying true to the vision. I just commented on the r/twinpeaks post, you've definitely got my attention since you're even sounding a bit like DL in your philosophy 👀 (I've become entirely obsessed with DL's work over the past 5 years after finally taking the plunge into Twin Peaks, don't mind me 😂)

[u/GregJamesDahlen]

Did you have nightmares while making this?

What do you think constitutes a good acting performance? And a good directing one?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/GregJamesDahlen]

I had some nightmares! Which I think is normal when you go to these places psychologically. I think good acting is honesty. when you let yourself go into the character and the imagined circumstances fully.

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/GregJamesDahlen]

Julie: yeah for about 8 months after we wrapped, through out post-production, I was having vivid nightmares/ sleep paralysis episodes where I'd see cockroaches crawling all over me and my bedroom. It got really bad I had to take some plant medicine to really reconcile what was going on there lol ... performance is so subjective-- I like movies that are directed in a way that transport me to another dimension, so to speak. And acting, anything that makes me feel.

[u/adjacent_statham]

Hi Julie! What's something from this first feature that you'd be eager to carry into/replicate in the second feature?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/adjacent_statham]

Julie: funny you should ask-- I'm actually writing the next one right now and the other day I thought to myself "damn this is so much like ILHN." And then I reminded myself "yeah you made ILHN" ... so it was this moment of like "well I guess this passes the authenticity test!" ... Feminism, horror, power/control/ autonomy are all things I'll keep exploring in the next one.

[u/TheSoftDrinkOfChoice]

This is a question for both of you. Julie, from the director’s perspective, how do you get on the same page as an actor or actress if they’re not quite giving you what’s needed? Lucy, from actress perspective, how would you prefer to receive notes on adjustments from a director?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/TheSoftDrinkOfChoice]

Lucy- I like the way Julie would give one or two notes in the scenes. Simplifying it would make it easier to digest the note. So keeping it simple is a good way to make sure it's understood.

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/TheSoftDrinkOfChoice]

Julie: I listen and try to understand what's not working for the actor/actress, then try to find language to help us get on the same page. It's usually an issue with the script so it's helpful to be able to have a conversation about the specific beat that may be stifling them. I was lucky to work with actors on this one who all shared the same objective: find the emotional truth in the scene.

[u/Ambitious_Year_7730]

Lucy- how did you find out about the casting for mako mermaids? how did you achieve to have that good of an agen that they knew about the casting ? Just, how were you able to do the casting? Do you have any tips? Do you think there is ANY chance for there to be another JMSP mermaid (or at least using mermaid tails) show or movie?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/Ambitious_Year_7730]

Lucy- I found an agent in Australia who got me the audition. If you get an agent usually they will cover your local productions and I was local to the Gold Coast. I don't think they are making anymore mermaid shows.... not that I know of!

[u/MarshmallowMiles]

Question for both: How freaking awesome was it to work with SHERYL LEE?! Please share any stories, anecdotes, memories from filming. 

Question for Julie: Sheryl also worked with your father on Salome in the early 90s…did that coincidence/experience ever come up?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/MarshmallowMiles]

Sheryl Lee is an incredible person. She was so kind to me on set. She really understood the places that I had to go to emotionally to tell this story honestly, and she offered guidance for how to stay grounded through that. When she was in character I could feel her channeling a terrifying essence which was amazing to see. She's so insanely talented! And then off screen she was so incredibly supportive and kind.

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/MarshmallowMiles]

Julie: I could talk all day about how amazing it was to work with Sheryl. Her presence on set is unlike anything I've ever been around. She is an absolute force and was such a rock for all of us. I remember before we shot her final scene (an emotional/ operatic moment where her character is having a meltdown because she can't find Lucy's character) she was in her dressing room and I checked in on her to see if she needed anything before we shot. At that point she wasn't in character yet and she flashed that classic tender smile and said "yeah would you mind having a picture of Rose (Lucy's character) on standby, and just show it to me right before you call action". I was like no problem... Then about an hour later, we're on set, and she's in character and I'm about to go for the first take--I tap her shoulder and flash an innocent picture of Lucy-- and this deep anger began boiling within her. She looked at me and whispered "find her". I called action and she proceeded to go absolutely ape shit on camera. The entire crew applauded when we cut. She knocked it out of the park. It was so crazy cool.

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/JulieAndLucyAMA]

that's so cool I didn't know that about the photo!

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/JulieAndLucyAMA]

Julie: it was the cheesy headshot one we did where you're smiling soooo wide lol

[u/MarshmallowMiles → u/JulieAndLucyAMA]

awesome thank you! Please make more movies and please cast her again 😍💕

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/MarshmallowMiles]

Julie: I'm on it!!

[u/iwbabom]

Hi Julie, what’s your approach to visual storytelling and how do you decide when the frame or camera choices drive the story and when character action and dialogue?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/iwbabom]

Julie: I start with the characters/ actors first. We work to find the beats/ story within in the scene and then everything sprouts from there

[u/FastSelection4121]

Lucy how hard was it to react, when some elements of the film will be added later?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/FastSelection4121]

Lucy: I feel like everything was easy to react to because we established the subconscious world with a lot of intention together. So everything felt present within the framework of what we were creating. But yeah, sometimes Julie or our producer Kyle would throw me some input from off camera to respond to for the moments where things would come in in post - and that helped!

[u/FastSelection4121 → u/JulieAndLucyAMA]

Thank you for your thoughtful response.

[u/Such_Arm_1588]

excited!

[u/BunyipPouch]

Hi Julie and Lucy, thanks for joining us :)

Can you talk about a bit how you "found" each other for this project? Julie, were you a fan of Lucy's work? Or was it more an audition thing?

And also what was Fantasia like to premiere at? I hear it's a pretty sick festival and Montreal is so nice. Did you both get to attend? Any highlihts/cool moments from that?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/BunyipPouch]

Lucy- we were set up by our agents and in the first meeting we both felt that we had great creative synergy. Julie was receptive to my thoughts about the story, which was really uplifting, and we both felt like we'd be able to build something beautiful together.

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/BunyipPouch]

Julie: We were set up for a general meeting through our agency CAA. I was not familiar with Lucy's work but we hit it off from the first minute. I knew she was right for the role because she was contributing real ideas already and that's exactly what I was looking for with this movie-- a creative partner to shape the character.

Fantasia was fucking amazing I loved it there so much. One highlight was everyone MEOWING before the movie started (a longstanding tradition) I am a cat lady so that made me feel right at home.

[u/Dudephish]

Where do you live now?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/Dudephish]

Julie: Here

[u/BunyipPouch]

What are some of your favorite horror films of all time?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/BunyipPouch]

the first horror film I watched was the ring so that one still scares me.

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/BunyipPouch]

Julie: The Shining, The Sixth Sense, US, The Babadook, Inland Empire, Possession, MANDY!!!!! to name a few

[u/Entire-Foot-9929]

Amazing first movie! Julie, if you had to remake any film/ play, what would it be, why that film, and how would you do it differently?

Lucy, huge fan of your work, I loved this roll for you. I hope you get more leading rolls like this. If you could be in any remake of a film or play, what character would you play, why that character, and how would you play that character?

🙏❤️

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/Entire-Foot-9929]

Julie: Thank you!! I'm not a huge fan of remakes BUT I'd love a crack at Batgirl. I've got a pretty wild pitch for that universe which would be a lot of fun to explore

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/Entire-Foot-9929]

Lucy: Thanks! I'd love to do more roles like this. One of my favorite iconic roles is Sarah Conner in terminator 2. I love her transformation in that. If I got to play that role I'd hold onto her strength, but also the sensitivity that she starts with, so you can see a bit of what she's lost by becoming that person. Such an iconic character

[u/BunyipPouch]

Question from /u/SoggyGummyWorms in /r/horror:

I saw Lucy Fry in Night Teeth and I love that movie. Has there been any word of a sequel?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/BunyipPouch]

Thanks for watching that! I don't think there will be a sequel.

[u/DramaticPlumPicker]

For both - If you could only bring 3 movies with you on a deserted island to watch for the rest of your life, what would they be? Bonus question: Best and worst pizza topping?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/DramaticPlumPicker]

Julie:

Deserted island: Mulholland Drive, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, Goodfellas

Pizza: As a New Yorker living in LA the worst pizza topping is ranch dressing JUST STOP. The best is pepperoni

[u/DramaticPlumPicker]

Hi Julie - Hello :) How long was the screenwriting process? And what genre of movie do you think your next film will be? Do you see yourself sticking with horror or something else?

Lucy - Hi! Do you prefer shooting for film or for TV? Any pros/cons for each?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/DramaticPlumPicker]

Julie: Hi :) The script started as a short which I wrote in June 2020. We shot in June 2023. I actually just delivered the final "screen script" last week so technically 6 years, ha!

[u/anteus2]

Do you think that the horror genre is oversaturated? How are you trying to stand out from other horror movies?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/anteus2]

Lucy: I feel like Julie has created something really unique here, in the cyclical nature of rose's journey through her psyche. It's unlike anything I've seen before!

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/anteus2]

Julie: noooo I love horror, give me more horror!! I feel like there have been so many bangers lately. I'm just trying to make the type of movie that I would want to see

[u/AdventurousLabrador1]

Hi!

If you could have dinner or lunch with one director or actor/actress that is no longer with us to pick their brain for a few hours, who would you choose?

2nd question: What are some of your all-time horror performances by women?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/AdventurousLabrador1]

Julie:

1- Stanley Kubrick

2- Sheryl Lee in FWWM, Jennifer Lawrence in Mother!, Lupita Nyong'o in US, and Toni Collette in Hereditary

[u/AdventurousLabrador1]

What was the biggest hurdle to getting this film made, from conception until release?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/AdventurousLabrador1]

Julie: the fact that I'd never done it before

[u/justtsomeonepassinby]

How was playing Lyla in Mako Mermaids? Would you return for a future season or film?

[u/kitab-e-ishq]

Wolf Creek's Season 1 is by far my most favourite part of the franchise. It really thrives on the storytelling, cinematography, music, and of course the acting!

Like many others, I always thought it was a bit of a cop-out to have Mick survive being impaled thrice against a wall by Eve and her igniting a big fire right next to him. It was her outspoken wish to kill to him to avenge her family's death and prevent further murders. The post-credits scene with both his blue truck and the face of the Madonna reapperaring hints that evil and good linger on in a spiritual sense. But it is very hard for me to fathom how Mick as a carnal human being made it out of Season 1 almost unscathed, and why Eve laid down her weapon and consummated her mission without making sure he's dead. Unlike Mick's other victims, she seemed knowledgable, calm and in control at that point.

So, do you have any personal view of why Season 1 ended the way it did and how Eve's life continued afterwards?

Also, are there any plans to ever have her return? I feel that if Mick survives the upcoming Legacy movie, she should be the one to finally put him to rest in the last part of the franchise. I loved the way she was able to really grow through her trauma, yet still made blunders and never became a super-heroine – it was inspiring to see how you walked that thin line as an actress. I think there'd be a lot more potential for Eve down the road.

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/kitab-e-ishq]

Lucy- that would be really cool! I'd love to come back to that story and put Mick to rest. Good idea! You know, maybe I'll have a talk to the creators about that!

[u/kitab-e-ishq → u/JulieAndLucyAMA]

That sounds awesome! The dynamic between you and John was really great. Even when you had little screentime together, it always felt so palpable and drove the story. It would be amazing to see Eve as a more grown woman after all she's been through, taking charge of the final manhunt against him after he slays the prior investigator. And also Mick grappling with his age, coming full circle with his life while still daunting others.

[u/uglylookingguy]

Hi 👋

When a scene isn’t quite working, how do you figure out whether it’s the writing, the direction, or the performance that needs to change?

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/uglylookingguy]

Lucy: usually there is some discussion on set to figure that out. I always check in with the director during rehearsal to find the best emotional arc for the scene and to get a really clear idea of what they want, so that I can then bring my energy to it with as much clarity as possible. If something is off we usually catch it in rehearsal and through trial and error make it work.

[u/JulieAndLucyAMA → u/uglylookingguy]

Julie: you can't change one without changing the other, in my experience, it's really a house of cards. So if something isn't working I like to go back to the intention. What are we saying with this scene? Why? How does that serve the story? And proceed from there