Girl Boxer is a dark, quick-paced, heartfelt action drama that holds nothing back as it questions what is right and wrong when the love of family is concerned. It is an exploration of the underworld and the decisions one must make for the betterment of those you love. Laura, a former lightweight champion boxer, is making the best life she can for her daughter now that her husband, Matty, has found himself in prison yet again. When Matty gets in with the wrong crowd and money is quickly needed, Laura relies on what she knows best and she is lured by the Irish mob to participate in a Russian-operated underground boxing match. The film is the brainchild of Lauren McCann, an award-winning and multi-nominated actor and filmmaker. She’s an amazing individual who holds a Ph.D., has completed 6 marathons, is proficient, and a former kindergarten teacher. We had the pleasure to speak about her career, the film and more!
Thank you for agreeing to catch up with Occhi Magazine. How did you get into acting?
I started taking acting classes in my hometown of Montreal, Canada when I was 17 or 18. I was told then that I should go to NYC or LA but wanted to finish my teaching degree. I finished my schooling, went to Europe to travel, and met my husband. I started teaching and ended up continuing with the education world until I got my Ph.D. My husband’s work brought us to NYC- the place where I wanted to be years before to work towards my goals of being a working actor. Funny how to world works for you at times. Once I was in NYC, I started back into acting classes at HB Studios, learning the craft I loved once more. After 2 years of study, I decided to make it more than a hobby.
Please tell us more about your film ‘Girl Boxer’ and what audiences can expect.
They can expect a dark, quick smart clip that will make you eager for more! I love dark cerebral thrillers and I wanted to see women in the lead roles in these styles of films. There are not too many. So, I created my own.
The story of Girl Boxer played on your mind for over a year. Please explain further why and what made you finally get to write the story?
I was pregnant with my second child and, during this pregnancy, I was taken mental notes, talking the plot over with my husband. I never started it because I did not have, what I believed, “the answers”. I did not see the entire plot in my mind yet. I had never made a movie, never written a screenplay and I had no idea where to start. Then, one day when my son was napping, I allowed myself to NOT KNOW and I just jumped and started writing. I made discoveries about the plot and the characters as I wrote. I completed the entire first draft of the Girl Boxer pilot in the hour and a half I had during my son’s nap time.
I understand the screenplay has appeared in over 18 festivals locally and internationally, gathering accolades and building momentum. How surprised were you with the positive reception it received?
Yes and no. Yes, because as a first-time creator and writer you never expect anything, but then again, I knew it was good. I felt it, and, if I didn’t believe in it full heartily, I would not have taken the big step into production.
Are there any influences, experiences, or particular memories that impacted the screenplay?
For sure. I am a huge Guy Ritchie fan. Particularly the film Snatch. I wanted to see more women in these types of films. I am also a huge fighting movie fan. When I was about 10 years old, my father sat me down to watch Rocky and I was hooked. I boxed myself very seriously for a year and was ready to get into the ring for some fights, but then happily discovered I was pregnant with my 1st child, my daughter Emma.
Both of my kids are in Girl Boxer!
Please tell us more about your experiences making the film, working with the crew, and the production process?
The cast and crew were everything. My producer, Phil Newsom, and my DP Dominick Sivilli are what made this project come together. As a newbie to all of this, they had the patience and heart to teach along the way and explain the process as we went along. Dom and I saw eye to eye with all the shots. He got my vision 100% at one point of filming. We did not even need words, we would just look at each other and there was an understanding. The people you work with make or break a project. My golden rule is to work with good people. You may be the most talented, but, if you are a jerk or disrespectful, I don’t want you in my project. I met with everyone I did not already know for a simple coffee or tea to get a feel for the person. As a group, we all came together for the craft and to make a quality pilot.
As a first-time filmmaker, what have you learned about yourself in the process?
The bulk of the work happens before. I believe the school teacher in me helps this – I am super organized. Visit your locations, not alone, but with your DP with the sound /gaffers, they know their jobs best and need to prep themselves. Trust the people you work with – I don’t know everything and don’t pretend to know. When I was a teacher, I always wanted my students to LOVE school, to WANT to come to school- if they didn’t they would never learn. I felt the same with creating the set environment. I wanted people to WANT to be there, to be excited in sharing this experience with others. If that was not the case, cast and crew would not be putting their best foot forward. I know I am good at reading people, sensing them – just as a teacher would gauge how to approach each child individually according to their needs, I believe a director must also do the same. Each actor is an individual who has specific needs and ways they approach their craft. A director must pick up on this and speak with them in the way that works best.
How did the pandemic impact filming?
We were lucky to have completed this project before the world shut down. Unfortunately, we have never had an in-person festival screening. As a 1st time filmmaker, I’m learning the virtual festival ropes!
So, what’s next on the agenda?
I have outlined Girl Boxer as an 8 part limited series with each episode lasting 1h in duration. I am also now putting these episodes together to make a feature (all of this is happening after the kids are in bed between auditions!). I’ve also starting to write another Female Power Pilot based in a dystopian world… I like the dark stuff!
10- Where can we find out more about you and the movie?
We have a website that I keep updated: www.girlboxermovie.com
on IG: girlboxermovie or my personal IG laurenmccannofficial
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