Izzy Roland reveals what it’s like to make an independent movie with your family

Izzy Roland’s independent film Dead is truly a family affair.

Actress and comedian known for her work with Dropout and The sex lives of female studentsRoland wrote Dead based on an idea from his mother, Claudia Lonow. Lonow, who starred in Landing nodes and has been the showrunner of projects like Showtime’s Sudden awakeningthen directed the film. The mother-daughter duo also stars alongside Roland’s grandparents and Lonow’s parents, Mark Lonow and JoAnne Astrow; Roland’s father-in-law and Lonow’s husband, Jonathan Schmock; and Roland’s husband, Brennan Lee Mulligan.

The focus on the family behind the camera extends to the plot itself of Dead. Roland plays Tillie, a young woman struggling with a complicated relationship with her father, Daniel (Craig Bierko). When Daniel dies suddenly, his ghost appears in the mirrors of all his family members. Everyone except Tillie. What follows is a charming portrait of a dysfunctional family and the many different ways its members navigate the grief that literally haunts them.

In a Say More interview with Mashable Entertainment reporter Belen Edwards, Roland reflected on the creative process. Dead alongside her mother, starting with Lonow who gave her the idea in the first place.

“It was originally an idea for a TV series that was about this mother whose husband dies, and then she’s haunted by him – just her – in the mirrors. She called it My shitty soulmateRoland explained. “I thought that idea was really cool, and luckily we have a relationship and she was working on something else where she could be like, ‘Yeah, sure, write it.'”

As for making a film alongside his family and close friends, Roland described the experience as quite rewarding – and not far from his usual creative process.

“I’m friends with the most talented people around the world, luckily, so it’s a place I feel pretty comfortable in,” Roland said. “It’s not without its complications, but it’s definitely a place I love to be.”

Watch our full Say More video to learn more about Roland’s writing and filming experience. Deadwhy she decided to move into independent cinema and what Real Housewives slogans each of Deadthe characters would have done it.

You can find a list of upcoming Dead screenings on the film’s website, where you can also request a screening near you.

Dead will also play the Alamo Drafthouse locations in Lower Manhattan and Downtown Los Angeles from November 14-20.