Here, the filmmaker talks about their inspirations and the making of their first short film.
DEADLINE: Can you talk a bit about your filmmaking journey?
What inspired you to come to this field?
Alex Song-Xia and Keiko Agena in Really Good DriverAlex Song-Xia
I know you have a background in comedy.
But as an actor/writer, I came up through comedy in New York.
I then started working as a comedy writer and getting acting jobs, but mostly working for other people.
Alex Song-XiaAlex Song-Xia
This was my first time directing something that I wrote.
DEADLINE: The premise of the short is fairly simple on the surface.
DEADLINE: I thought about that too when I was watching.
Do you think that we need more stories focused more on the aftermath?
Where do you land on queer storytelling these days?
SONG-XIA:Its been interesting being the one who makes all the decisions.
Im very happy to come up with as many jokes as many choices for somebody else.
DEADLINE: What kind of media are you consuming right now?
Ive also been watching the latest season ofHacks.
I also watched this documentary calledLiftabout this ballet program that gives scholarships to kids in housing shelters.
I really liked that.
DEADLINE: In what ways do you think you relate or dont relate to your character?
It sounds like, from what youve already said, you relate pretty damn well to your character?
And so much of it is brought forth by her performance as well.
DEADLINE: What would you like audiences to think about after they watch Really Good Driver?
DEADLINE: Whats next for you?
