Interview with Screenwriter Beth Rehman (Pain in the A–)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

Beth Rehman: It’s about how our mothers influence our romantic relationships.

It’s about a PR girl who learns that being genuine and dropping the “image” is how to become truly happy.

It’s about a cool PR girl who falls in love with the dorky rectal surgeon who exams her hemorrhoids.

It’s about the crazy things we feel we have to do for professional advancement, like having to find a date for the boss’s daughter.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Romantic comedy.

Makeover movie.

Childish comedy.

Bathroom humor movie.

Gross-out comedy.

Chick movie.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

At the outset of the story Bennie is obsessed with image and appearing to be someone else, someone different from the person her mother tried to bring her up to be. She wants to be “the girl that everyone’s jealous of.” These days it seems everyone is on social media trying to be that person. Anyone who has ever been embarrassed of her roots, worried what people think of her or tried desperately to please her unreasonable boss will relate to Bennie.

Also, though this story may fall into the romantic comedy genre, the romance is only one portion of the tale. This story is about mothers and daughters and how they can help make each other happy or miserable. I’d like to see these relationships explored more during the current genre revival.

Lastly, hemorrhoids have become more and more common as our lives have become increasingly rushed and hectic and as we continue to sacrifice proper diet and exercise in order to spend more time in front of screens. We need to raise awareness of the problem 😉

4. How would you describe this script in two words?

Hole truth.

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

“It’s a Wonderful Life,” because it’s on every year during the holidays.

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

I’ve lost track. I wrote it a few years ago and every now and then I pull it out to revisit it.

7. How many stories have you written?

Probably up to about 20 by now, which includes short stories as well.

8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)

“Man in Suitcase,” by The Police. Does anyone still know that band?

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

I’m a mother, wife, home-owner and very frequent international traveler so my time was not my own most of the time. My biggest challenge was finding time to carve out the story and get it “right.” It was difficult for me to find the “headspace” time that I needed to write. This issue is ameliorating, however, as my kids get older. And I seem to have learned how to function on very little sleep.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Reading.

Traveling internationally.

Learning foreign languages.

Downhill skiing.

And my dog! I love my dog!

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?

Very easy to use, however there are many suggestions about what to enter, so it can be a bit overwhelming.

12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

I liked the idea of online reading. I didn’t see that offered by other festivals.

Watch the Screenplay Reading: 

A young PR exec falls in love with her proctologist but must pass him off to her boss’s pregnant daughter to advance her career.

CAST LIST:

Bennie – Bree Ali
Susan – Danielle Nicole
Narration – Malcolm Allcorn
Seth – Brogan Caulfield
Annette – Katelyn Varadi

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