Sundance 2016 Exclusive: Director Tahir Jetter Talks How To Tell You’re A DouchebagPosted by Wilson Morales
January 27, 2016
Making its World Premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival this week was writer-director Tahir Jetter’s feature debute, “How To Tell You’re A Douchebag.”
The cast includes Charles Brice, DeWanda Wise, William Jackson Harper, Alexander Mulzac, Jenna Williams, and Tonye Patano.
Ray Livingston (Charles Brice) is a relationship-blogging hack (“freelance writer, actually”) responsible for Brooklyn’s infamous blog, “Occasionally Dating Black Women.” The well-written, if not controversial, blog has generated some notoriety, but Ray is chafing from an overextended stay in New York, romantic ennui, and a stagnating writing career. After a particularly crappy week, he goes off on a tirade and harasses a gorgeous random passerby, only to discover that it’s Rochelle Marseille (DeWanda Wise), one of New York’s up-and-coming authors. Moving to make amends in an effort to preserve his media clout, Ray is stunned when Rochelle gives him more than he ever thought she would.
For Jetter, having done short films (“Close” and “Frisk”) and a web series (“Hard Times”), his first feature was no easy hurdle. Blackfilm.com recently spoke with the Washington D.C. native on his experience on the film.
How did the story come about for you?
Tahir Jetter: There was a woman that I was very much into and things didn’t really go my way and I started thinking on all the stupid thoughts I had on what didn’t come to pass and I thought I would make fun of myself so that’s where the genesis of this movie came from.
Is the movie reflect how your life turned out?
TJ: Yeah. It was a little different. It wasn’t as short-lived.
Are you the guy the in the film?
TJ: I do have a tendency to be a douchebag.
How was putting together your first feature?
TJ: It was pain. It was tough. I think your first feature is always difficult. It takes a lot of sleepless nights and a lot of perseverance.
How did it feel when you were notified that your film got into Sundance?
TJ: I had a lot of work to do because we weren’t finished with post-production at the time. I was elated and worried because I had a lot of things left to do in terms of post-production.
Where did you find your cast?
TJ: We partnered with a lot of very young talented New York people we found through a bunch of different resources. I did a lot intense casting for several months so that was a long process but a fruitful one.
What made Charles Brice and DeWanda Wise the right choice for the roles?
TJ: DeWanda really helped spearhead a lot of the casting. She’s one of the executive producers and really had a lot to say in terms how this cast would come together. Fortunately, with her guidance, we just rounded out a nice ensemble cast. I was really pleased.
How was shooting this film in Brooklyn?
TJ: We shot in Brooklyn for 22 days and it was great. It was summertime and it was hot, but this is standard when doing an indie film.
Having done short films and now a feature, what did you learn as a filmmaker?
TJ: I learned that the script is the utmost important things and that table reads are super important. You have to learn to be adapted.
What do you want audience to get from seeing this film?
TJ: I want audience to get that in 2016, we should all listen more and be kinder to each other. I think around my age are in nebulous relationships in which compassion is put on the backburner. I think we can stand to be more attentive to what we want from other people and what we can provide emotionally.
