TIFF 2019: Pop Culturalist Chats with Volcano’s Karen Moore

Award-winning TV writer Karen Moore is adding director to her growingly impressive résumé. Best known for projects including Workin’ Moms, Rookie Blue, and MsLabelled, Karen will make her directorial debut with Volcano, premiering in the Shorts Program at the Toronto International Film Festival.

PC: Tell us about Volcano and what inspired the short.
Karen: Volcano is about two friends, Jess and Hannah, who meet at a tiki bar to catch up over drinks, but they can’t seem to get through to each other about what’s really going on in their lives. The film was inspired by my own friendships and past romantic relationships.

PC: This is your directorial debut. What were some of the major adjustments you made going from the writer’s chair to the director’s? What was the biggest takeaway from this experience?
Karen: My biggest takeaway was that the adjustment wasn’t as drastic as I thought it would be—which is a good thing! After much time spent on TV/film sets collaborating with other directors, it felt nice to fully (and literally) call the shots. I really tried to follow my gut both on set and in the edit suite.

PC: You met your leads on the set of Workin’ Moms. How much did they influence the story?
Karen: Jess Salgueiro plays Mean Nanny on Workin’ Moms and Hannah Cheesman was a writer on season two with me, so I had gotten to know both of them through that project. Once they were on board, I could hear their voices in my head as I wrote the script. It was helpful to be able to picture that and write to a real voice.

PC: The short was shot in Toronto and feels like a full circle moment with it premiering at TIFF. Have you had time to reflect on this journey, and what does being a part of the festival mean to you?
Karen: It’s definitely a full circle moment, especially since I’ve been living in Toronto since attending Ryerson University in the early 2000s. TIFF has been a backdrop to my life in the film and television industry for such a long time. I think the reflection will really come after it’s all over in a few weeks—right now it’s still a little surreal!

PC: What do you hope audiences walk away with after seeing Volcano? Have there been any conversations about adapting it for a full feature?
Karen: : I hope audiences enjoy the ride—it’s a funny-till-it’s-not kind of film, and I think there will be different interpretations of the ending, so I’m curious to hear what people take away. Volcano was always intended as a stand-alone short. I am currently writing a feature film that’s similar in tone and explores other types of complicated relationships, specifically familial ones, but I’m certainly not done with messy female friendships!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Karen: Endless Raptors’ championship win basketball coverage (#wethenorth)

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Karen: Zoolander (except I don’t feel guilty about it)

PC: Favorite book?
Karen: Cheryl Strayed’s book of essays, Tiny Beautiful Things, is one of my faves.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Karen: I’m going to say Book of Mormon because I snort-laughed through the whole thing.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Karen: A lot of Bruce Springsteen?

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Karen: Euphoria

PC: Hidden talent?
Karen: I’m above average at ping-pong.

To keep up with Karen, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Catch Volcano at TIFF.