'My Brother & Me' Film written and directed by Ryan DeForeest
- ColorBloc Magazine
- Nov 14, 2023
- 13 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Featured in Issue 15 is director and writer Ryan DeForeest. We delve into his latest film My Brother and Me and explore the creative process behind it. We discuss the challenges of writing and directing an independent film, as well as the personal journey that led Ryan to this point. Join us as we gain insight into the passion and dedication that goes into bringing a vision to life on the screen.
My Brother and Me is a captivating queer coming-of-age drama set in the contemporary setting of South Los Angeles, this film delves into the intricacies of sibling bonds, shedding light on the complex dialogues surrounding children's expectations of their parents. Additionally, it shines a light on the deep-seated fears and haunting memories that resurface, particularly within familial relationships. When contemplating the tone of this captivating short film, it draws parallels to the poignant narratives presented in A24's cinematic masterpieces, The Last Black Man in San Francisco and Moonlight.
Since its completion, My Brother & Me has continued to find meaningful resonance with audiences. The film screened at festivals across the country, with notable presentations at the Directors Guild of America and Lincoln Center, earned a nomination for an NAACP Image Award, and recently concluded a year long distribution partnership with American Airlines. What began as an intimate story has grown into a work recognized across institutions and platforms, underscoring the care and intention behind its journey.
Watch "My Brother and Me"
Ryan DeForeest, dir.; Shandrea Evans and Lexx Truss, prods.; Sade Ndya, cinematographer; Kaij, costume designer; Evan Wright, composer
Can you tell us more about My Brother and Me and how this film came about? What are some of the challenges of writing and directing your own independent film?
It's been a journey, lemme tell you. I've been working on the foundation of this story for a solid two years, but I couldn't crack it. But then, when I went to Sundance in January for the first time in person, I was in awe! I went there just to experience it, and I'm so glad I did because I left feeling insanely inspired to want to be back next year with a film of my own. So once I left, I started giving myself deadlines to finish scripts or outlines I had never written. I wrote two pilots and a short script; I just couldn't stop writing. As I sent each script out to people I trusted to give feedback, I would move on to the next idea while I waited for the critiques. Once I finished those three, I found the outline for My Brother & Me and thought there was still something strong here; I just needed to massage it more. EVERYTHING FLOWED OUT OF ME once I figured out the story's main driving force. From its plot to its character arcs, it was a story that resonated with me as most of the story is inspired by my childhood and the dynamics of my family. I sent off the very first draft to my now Producers, Shandrea Evans and Lexx Truss, and to my Composer, Evan Wright. You never send the first draft; you wait until you have something that'll wow the reader. But there was this feeling in my gut that it was good enough to share in that moment. And now we're here a week away from principal photography. My department heads and cast are all locked in and working hard. We just secured our locations and had our first table read with the full cast, which is a surreal feeling now. The words, the tone, the setting, the props, the score it's all coming together in real time. So excited to be here! And to answer your 2nd question, writing and directing my own indie film is challenging because it feels like you're playing a board game. You're trying to choose the right moves to make, the right property to buy, and praying you roll the dice on the number you need most in that turn. It's a tough business, and I hate playing board games...but I absolutely love making films. I couldn't imagine challenging myself in any other way.
Fundraising for a film must take a lot of planning and organization what advice do you have other filmmakers trying to raise capital for their future films?
Crowdfunding for any kind of film is an insane process. After finishing a few drafts of my script, I debated with my producers for a few weeks on how much money we could truly fundraise. I get skeptical about asking people for money, especially family/friends. We started formulating this plan as the WGA started voting on a strike, and then it happened. It felt strange to ask for money at that time, but once I started to create the plan of action from outreach to the campaign launch video, I knew we might have a chance at getting to our minimum goal.
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