So we have a very special 100th post for Syrup Movie Fans! Last week, I had the honor of sitting down with Syrup Director, Aram Rappaport. We chatted so long we never got to the actual questions below, but he took some time later on to respond to them via email.
1. Where was your favorite NYC location to shoot?
I enjoyed shooting NYC in general. The city has so much to offer both interiors and obviously the magnificent exteriors. It was a challenge to chose locations because certain buildings and streets of New York FEEL like a character, and have emotions all their own, it’s amazing to see it come to life on screen.
2. How long ago had you read Syrup and what made you decide to adapt it to film?
I read Syrup the summer of 2009 for the first time and I think I maybe it probably through about 40 pages, before I connected so intensely to Scat and 6, that I knew regardless of how the story ended, these unique characters would make a magnificent film. The rest of the book ALSO ended up being magnificent.
3. What was the adaption process like?
Very very collaborative. Max Barry wrote the first draft, and I re-wrote, and re-wrote, and handed it back to Max for a re-write, and then re-wrote again. Luckily Max is the IDEAL book author to be working with due to his flexibility in story line. He understands certain restrictions we had with the budget going in to this so very early on we decided that as long as we maintained the integrity of each character and the decisions they might make on their journey… The rest could change.
4. Why the change from the original LA setting to NYC?
New York City has a heart beat. It’s loud, and it’s frantic. I feel that’s what marketing is; an adaptive art/business where if you’re not ahead of the curve, you lose. Plus, Times Square… I felt putting 6′s character in an apartment in the advertisement mecca of the universe wouldn’t be a negative.
5. What was the cast selection process like?
Oh boy! A general answer would be, I got very VERY lucky with my incredible cast. I could talk about Amber, Shiloh, Brittany for days, even cameos like Rachel Dratch and Kirstie Alley. They made me look good. Enough said.
6. Did you have any major challenges during filming?
The story. Balancing marketing jargon with a true love story proved to be difficult. The “cool” factor of the fun marketing language sometimes would get in the way, and I would need to take five minutes and sit with Amber and Shiloh and reconnect to the characters. Two individuals losing themselves in this world. I feel ultimately as if I might have lost myself too during the shoot. It’s easy to become wrapped up in the “flash” and “glitz.” As a director, I had my own arc, and ironically on then… after completing production could I truly understand how to end the film. So I went back and re-shot the ending.
If you have questions for Aram, please post in the comments section. Please no questions about international release dates, because I asked and he doesn’t know yet either. We know May 2 On Demand in US and Theaters on June 7 in US. We can’t wait! Also don’t forget to like Syrup on Facebook, follow on Twitter, and always tweet #syrupmovie!
