I’m Rob Ackerman, co-writer and producer of STARGAZER. Our movie tells the story of a forgotten female astronomer and a contemporary grad student. Kate Ginna plays both Grace Campbell, the student, and Cecilia Payne, the genius. Kate’s a smart, ambitious, award-winning screenwriter, and we created the script together. Matt Bogart came into the picture when Broadway shut down for Covid-19.
He loved the role of Spike Randall, and became a co-producer and star. Matt deserves credit for finding our brilliant director Alan McIntyre. Many great women read the role of Diana, but the actor, dancer, and polymath, Lei Nico, nailed it. Convincing the Pulitzer-Prize winning Annette Gordon-Reed to play herself was a coup. And the film would not exist without the talent and skills of Justus McLarty, former head of the SNL Film Unit.
indieactivity: What is your experience working on the story, the screenplay, the production?
Rob Ackerman (RA): I first heard Cecilia’s story in a book called E=MC2 by David Bodanis, and it ticked me off—for years. Kate jumped aboard and worked with me on the screenplay.
The Official Trailer for Stargazer Written and Produced by Rob Ackerman
It was a team effort made possible by the collaboration function in Final Draft’s software during the depths of the pandemic. We spent hours on the phone, and sometimes one of us would take the script and tear it to shreds on our own. We got terrific notes from TV writer Sam Forman, and our director, Alan McIntyre, gave us his trenchant suggestions. Kate’s not shy. Whenever she had issues as a writer or actor, she’d march up to me and ask for what she wanted, and I would say…yes.
Kate was 25 when we shot the movie after two years of writing and development. That’s how old Cecilia Payne was when she discovered the substance of the universe. Kate won Best Actress at two major film festivals and won Best Screenplay too.
Tell me about the finishing the film and facing a premiere and marketing?
Rob Ackerman (RA): Alan McIntyre took time to hone the story in the editing process, and he refined every element in post. Alan is unstoppable. He delivered a beautiful movie.
Of course, we planned to get into Sundance and didn’t. Pivoting, we made a conscious effort to be grateful about every festival that accepted our baby and every award it won. We got into many, won a lot, and loved the company of the filmmakers and programmers we met. The festival circuit is the first taste of distribution. We tried to appreciate every moment from Berkeley Springs to Cinema Columbus to New Jersey International to Philadelphia FirstGlance to Big Apple and Soho International. Our distributor, Freestyle Digital Media, and our publicist, David K. Moore, are doing a great job helping us spread the word.
When did you form your production company – and what was the original motivation for its formation?
Rob Ackerman (RA): We formed Mountain Muse Productions to make this movie.
What was the first project out of the gate?
Rob Ackerman (RA): STARGAZER.
During the film production, what scene (that made the cut) was the hardest to shoot? And why?
Rob Ackerman (RA): Two scenes really tested us:
First, that nearly naked fantasy sequence in the forest in the rain. Kate and I scripted that for a storm, and we got the perfect weather, unless you’re a sound mixer worried about your gear, or a Steadicam operator slipping in the mud, or a property master hanging a wet curtain, or a makeup or costume designer wondering if your work will wash away. Not to mention the actors, who were cold and wet and didn’t want their teeth to be chattering. Secretly, we all live for those challenges, and our crew rose to the occasion.
We also endured a shoot through the night that required intimacy. None of the physical stuff was a problem, but I wanted Lei Nico and Matt Bogart to make themselves more vulnerable emotionally, and they did. Eventually. It was tense, but the two of them crushed it. The struggle is what teaches us.
You must have donned several hats on this film, the measure of your input required intellect, effort, tenacity, skill.
Rob Ackerman (RA): I’m a writer, and craftsperson. Producing is not my comfort zone. That’s why Justus Mclarty was essential. He worked on the film for months for free but wouldn’t say yes for sure. When he joined us on the scout and found out that the people of Rider University were willing to lend us their campus as a backlot, the project seemed possible, and he signed on. I did a lot to get the ball rolling. Justus and his team made STARGAZER happen.
What about independent filmmaking and the business do you still struggle with?
Rob Ackerman (RA): Everything. All of it. Making an indie is like sledding uphill.
Where do you think your strengths lie as a producer?
Rob Ackerman (RA): Enthusiasm. That is a misunderstood quality, and it’s rooted in the Greek word for god, “enthousiasmos.” which means you’re working with the forces of good. I try to trust my team. Yes, that can fail, but if you believe in people, they tend to do their best.
How did you finance the film?
Rob Ackerman (RA): My daughter and her husband created a gourmet organic pancake mix called Birch Benders. It made money, and some of those investors backed our movie. One of them went beyond that. Sally Hauser worked on the production and even has a cameo in the movie. I’m so grateful.
How much did you go over budget? How did you manage it?
Rob Ackerman (RA): How’d you guess? Between music and colour and post-production, followed by festival fees, I had to dig into my own pockets. When somebody says, “I made my movie for X,” you know it’s always “X and Y and then a bunch of Z.”
How important is marketing? Do you think a project can make a dent without it nowadays?
Rob Ackerman (RA): I don’t know. Ask me later. We’re just getting the movie out, telling everyone in every way we can.
What do you hope audiences will get from the presentation of your film?
Rob Ackerman (RA): Love and joy and an appreciation of the surprising powers of nerdy people.
What else have you got in the works?
Rob Ackerman (RA): A play I’m co-writing with Kate called BACKTALK and a musical with Eli Bolin and Sam Forman called VOLLEYGIRLS. Stay tuned.
Tell us what you think of the interview with Rob Ackerman. What do you think of it? What ideas did you get? Do you have any suggestions? Or did it help you? Let’s have your comments below and/or on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
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