How To Reinvent a Classic With Birth/Rebirth’s Laura Moss and Brendan J. O’Brien

Laura Moss and Brendan J. O’Brien are the writers behind the film, Birth/Rebirth, which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. The film was inspired by Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein, but with a focus on the madness and monstrosity of motherhood.

In this episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with writers Laura Moss and Brendan J O’Brien to discuss:

How Laura and Brendan met and their very unique relationship
One of the best pieces of advice Laura ever received on scriptwriting
Finally getting accepted into the Sundance Labs on the 5th attempt
Advice for anyone who applies to Sundance Labs and gets rejected
The amazing experience working with the production company
The biggest challenge they had in post-production
Using natural sounds like ultrasounds and fetal heartbeats
Weaving in sound design and score in a complicated scene
What it was like working with a six-year-old actor for a horror film
Casting Judy Reyes as one of the stars

Memorable Quotes

“We got to know each other. We fell in love. We got married. We got divorced. And then we started really writing together in earnest.” [5:14]
“One rejection does not mean you are punted.” [14:03]
“The thing you think is going to be the easiest, turns out to be the hardest thing in the movie.” [29:56]
“We both have had so much rejection behind us and so much rejection in front of us.” [46:35]

Resources:

Birth/Rebirth

Follow Laura and Brendan on Instagram

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