Exclusive Interview: Director and Writer Elle Mills and Producer Michael J. Murphy Talk Reply

Director and writer Elle Mills and producer Michael J. Murphy are the creative team behind the must-see new short film, Reply.

When Casey (Ciara Riley Wilson) and her boyfriend, Jackson (Corey Fogelmanis), decide to build a treehouse together as one last project before heading off to college, the cracks in their relationship begin to show… Leaving room for a friendship with her new neighbor, Hayden (Ava Capri). The girls grow closer and closer but are reminded of their reality when Jackson pays a visit and their summer nears its end.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Elle and Michael about Reply, their collaborative partnership, and more.

PC: Tell us about the inspiration behind Reply and bringing this story to life on the screen.
Elle: I wrote this at the start of the pandemic. It was my first attempt at writing a script. I wanted to make a film that I wish I had had when I was growing up. I grew up on 2000s teen movies. I’m a huge fan of romance films. To create my 2000s teen romance film and make it queer meant a lot to me. That was the inspiration behind the story. In terms of the characters, I had met the cast throughout my life during different moments. When it came to casting, I wrote these parts with them in mind. The plot was fulfilling this childhood fantasy of mine. Then the characters came to life as soon as I cast them in my head.

PC: Michael, what was it about Elle’s character and script that you connected with?
Michael: It felt like Elle’s voice. It was something that I knew she was passionate about, and I knew it was something that was going to happen no matter what. Elle was going to make this short. Upon reading the script, it felt like it had color, warmth, and that Elle Mills touch to it. I knew that given the opportunity to do it on a bigger scale with a big crew, it would become something special.

PC: Elle, I know that you wrote these characters with these particular actors in mind. As Ciara and Ava were bringing these characters to life on the screen, did anything surprise you about their interpretations? What was that collaboration like?
Elle: Oh my gosh, collaborating with the cast was my favorite part of the whole process. I remember hearing them say the lines and seeing their chemistry in rehearsals—it was unreal! I knew they were so talented and I knew that I had written it with them and their voices in mind, but to see it happen—and especially when the costumes came together—felt like something that I’d never felt before. It was a real turning point in my life. After that experience, I realized that this is what I want to do. I went straight back into writing because I enjoyed the whole process. I guess the only surprising thing was that it was even better than I imagined. I had high expectations, and they exceeded that!

PC: Michael, you’ve said in the past that your purpose was to take some of that first-time pressure off of Elle. What was the biggest piece of advice you would give a new filmmaker making their directorial debut?
Michael: A big part of it is finding someone that you trust and that you know can be there along with you for the ride. That’s probably the most important part. There are so many additional things that happen behind the curtain outside of the creative work. Directing in itself is a very, very hectic job. There are a lot of responsibilities, and it’s an extremely involved job. You’re very much manipulating and changing and making decisions during the entirety of the day. It’s very difficult sometimes to have to manage the legal, the finances, and all the other things that happen to make things the right way and to make sure that people are paid, happy, and taken care of while they’re on set. One of the biggest things is to find someone that’s just as passionate about the story as you are and who understands your voice. If you’re a filmmaker, director, or writer and you can find someone to bring along for the ride, that’s probably the most important piece of advice.

PC: You both have such distinct styles in the way that you tell stories and create narratives. Who or what has had the biggest impact on your development and finding your voice as a filmmaker?
Michael: As a filmmaker, I haven’t directed a narrative in quite a few years. I feel my voice has changed, and I’ve definitely started to look towards different filmmakers who are more in alignment with where I intend to go in my career. Someone like Damien Chazelle is a great example. I love his energy and the excitement that he brings to his films. Him or David Fincher. There’s this excitement that they bring to their films that you can’t hold down.

Elle: I have a couple. I feel like I take little pieces of inspiration from a couple of different directors. Taika Waititi does dramedy so well. You laugh so hard, but you also cry so hard at the same time. With my films, I want to make them feel bittersweet. I want to find that perfect balance of lightheartedness, innocence, and sweetness. Taika has a very unique style and voice. What I take from most of my favorite directors is that you can feel it’s their film and it’s in their voice. It’s authentically them.

PC: The film is going to be available exclusively on Creator+. How did you know that this was the right platform to tell this story?
Elle: I actually had no plans on releasing it. It was very much a passion project. Then Creator+ saw it, and they really wanted to help release it. It’s been an incredible experience. I never imagined that I would be doing press for my short film or seeing all these posters, promos, and behind-the-scenes commentary. It’s been a dream. It was a no-brainer to partner with Creator+. They always prioritized my perspective and opinions. That’s what they want. They want to put the creator first, which I admire so much. It’s been a dream experience.

PC: This is a short film that’s going to stay with audiences after they see it. Is there a particular scene that you’re each excited for audiences to see when it comes out in November?
Elle: My favorite scene is the last one with Casey and Hayden. They’re inside the tree house. It’s my favorite scene to watch because Ava and Ciara bring so much life into it. I had imagined it in my head, but I remember holding my breath watching it from my monitor. I was like, “Whoa!” Every time I watch that scene, I’m in awe of their acting.

Michael: There’s a scene with Ciara sitting on the swing and she does something. I don’t want to spoil it. But she does something, and it’s so funny because it was so unscripted. I loved that so much. But then to second Elle, that tree house scene is so true to the film. It’s a pinnacle scene, and I think it’s just such a great display of Ava and Ciara and what they brought to the film.

PC: The two of you have been friends for a long time. Did you learn anything new about each other working as business partners?
Michael: That’s a good question.

Elle: I like to call Michael, Mikey. But what I learned about Mikey is that this experience has made our friendship stronger. I feel like I’ve gotten closer to Michael through this experience. Michael has a big heart and never stresses, which is beyond me. I don’t understand it! But I think what I admire most about Mikey is that he genuinely cares about helping others fulfill their dreams and bringing their vision to life.

I felt that across the board with all of our friends. Mikey’s always there to help and support in any way that he can, and he never asks for anything back. He’s so selfless to work with. I’ve said it multiple times before, but I’m so grateful to have him part of these projects because he’s made it so easy for me. I’ve had such a good experience thanks to him. Now I know what I want to do with the rest of my life.

Michael: That’s so sweet. I think what’s special about a film set in particular is that it’s not a casual working environment. It’s not comparable to anything. Even on a three-day shoot, you become so close with so many people. It was really special to watch Elle do Elle, and it was so rewarding to be part of that and to know that she was comfortable and was happy when we wrapped. It made us closer. It was this experience that we got to share, and I’m so thankful that I got to be a part of the project and watch Elle do her thing.

Make sure to follow Elle (Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) and Michael (Twitter/Instagram/YouTube). Rent Reply on Creator+ today.