The No Film School Podcast

‘Prom Dates’ Writer & Director on Reviving the Teen Sex Comedy

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Prom Dates, written by D.J. Mausner and directed by Kim Nguyen, is a comedy that follows two best friends who are hell-bent on having the perfect senior prom, despite the fact they broke up with their dates only 24 hours before the big night. This raunchy comedy reminds us that while romantic love may be fleeting, true friendship can survive any adversity that comes its way.


In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with Kim Nguyen and D.J. Mausner to discuss: 

  • Writing the script in just 8 days 
  • How D.J. and Kim immediately clicked
  • Celebrating the importance of friends in our lives
  • Developing the dynamic between the two lead characters
  • Harnessing the amazing energy from the cast
  • Filming in an old high school in Syracuse
  • How having a comedy background can improve your writing
  • The joy of working with gifted talent
  • A dramatic scene that required considerable emotional gear-shifting
  • How D.J.’s writing experiment turned into a film



    • Memorable Quotes

    • “Directors are like tuning forks. You get so much energy all the time from everyone, whether or not you want it or welcome it. You distill all that energy and harness it.” [15:46]
    • “Sketch teaches you to get in late and get out early. Stand-up teaches you to have an ear for the audience. Improv allows you to fill in the blanks.” [20:35]
    • “Stay true to yourself. Your point of view is your superpower.” [30:29]
    • “The thing you’re excited about, write it. You never know what’s going to happen.” [30:44]



      • Mentioned:

      Prom Dates



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