In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, host GG Hawkins sits down with writer-director Zoe Eisenberg to discuss her provocative and powerful debut feature Chaperone, which won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Breakout Feature at Slamdance. Set in Hawaii, the film explores a taboo relationship between a woman and a teenage boy and dives deep into themes of loneliness, desire, and moral ambiguity. GG and Zoe unpack the journey from novelist to filmmaker, the unique challenges of indie production on a remote island, and how a community-driven approach made the film possible. Plus, GG shares her own experiences pitching at the Gotham Project Market, with special guest and No Film School founder Ryan Koo reflecting on his own path from Gotham to Netflix.
In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins, Jason Hellerman, and guests discuss...
The inspiration behind Chaperone and what made the film's provocative premise resonate
How Zoe transitioned from novelist to filmmaker without formal film school training
The role of the Hawaii film community in supporting ultra-low-budget indie filmmaking
Casting the leads, chemistry reads, and how Zoe found her actors on Instagram
GG’s experience at the Gotham Project Market and Ryan Koo’s career post-Gotham
Why AFM can be both a useful tool and a tough experience for emerging filmmakers
Navigating rejection, finding investors locally, and the importance of perseverance
How Chaperone finally found distribution and is preparing for a VOD release
Memorable Quotes:
"I laughed a lot, but then I became very fixated… what kind of woman would have said yes to that?"
"Everyone wants to get in on a train that’s already moving."
"I'm not that special. If I want to watch or read it, then other women like myself will as well."
"Protect the movie and protect the actors you believe in."
Guests:
Zoe Eisenberg
Ryan Koo
Resources:
Chaperone on Letterboxd
Zoe Eisenberg’s novel Significant Others
The Gotham Project Market
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