Q&A: Made-in-London movie screening at Hyland Cinema Saturday
'Alterations' is a dramedy written and directed by Jen Romnes
London muralist Jen Romnes took up screenplay writing when the pandemic hit and demand for art work dried up. It turns out she has quite a knack for it, even winning best screenplay at the Forest City Film Festival in 2023.
Romnes wrote and directed her first film Alterations, which was shot in London and features local actors and music. The movie is a dramedy about a single mom who makes unlikely allies and turns to vigilantism when she doesn't get the help she needs to find her missing daughter.
Alterations is screening at the Hyland Cinema on Saturday, along with live music by the artists who scored the film and a Q&A session. Romnes joined London Morning host Andrew Brown to talk about her transition to screen writing and bringing her first film to life.
The following has been edited for length and clarity.
Andrew Brown: How did you find yourself making a movie like this?
Jen Romnes: It started with free time during the pandemic. My original business was murals. I'd done that for over two decades, but many of my clients were at churches, care homes and hospitals, which I couldn't access. I'm a very active and creative person, so I couldn't just sit still and create nothing. I turned to writing, started working on screenplays, entered a few contests, and began placing and winning. That's when I thought I might actually try to get a movie made.
AB: And you did it!
JR: I did.
AB: How did it go? What was it like to make that leap?
JR: Making the movie was amazing. The hard part was attracting talent and getting people to attach to the project. Once I had Michael Cao, our cinematographer, on board — he's an incredible Toronto-based DP (director of photography) —everything fell into place. It attracted more people to the project. I also had a casting director in London, Elle Bernardo, who brought in a lot of acting talent. It truly takes a team to make a movie, and I deeply appreciate everyone involved.
AB: What kind of story do you tell in Alterations?
JR: As you mentioned, it's about a single mom and her daughter. The daughter is smart and creative but faces challenges because her mom runs a struggling laundromat on Hamilton Road here in London. The daughter wants to go to university, but her father — who's wealthy but controlling — won't support her dream. Her frustrations lead to her disappearance, which sets the story in motion.
AB: What drew you to this story?
JR: A lot of lived experience. I didn't go to university because of my father's income and my inability to access student loans or bank loans without a cosigner. That's why I started my mural business here in London. As for the missing aspect, in 2009, my mother went missing. I had to go through a civil hearing to find her and remove my father as her decision-maker due to years of abuse.
AB: Oh, wow. Did you find her?
JR: I did. It was a long, challenging process, but it shaped my worldview and, later, my storytelling.
AB: This is a totally Made-in-London production. What parts of London will people see in the film?
JR: A lot of the Hamilton Road corridor, including the laundromat across from Carson Library. We also filmed at Pinheiro Realty, St. Andrew's Church, and other recognizable London locations.
AB: What was it like to shoot a film here?
JR: It was amazing. We had an incredible team, and everyone got along really well. The experience was phenomenal.
LISTEN | Jen Romnes talks about making her movie Alterations:
AB: The music in the film is also made-in-London. What can we expect?
JR: Several bands contributed. Cedar and Pine not only provided music but also created the custom score. Other bands include Anne Moniz, Universe According to Ray and Pacanomad who just released a new record. If you haven't heard them, check them out on Spotify.
AB: How are you feeling now that the film is complete?
JR: Thrilled! It's amazing to premiere a local film with local talent in our hometown. The Highland is a perfect venue, and ticket sales are doing well, though there's still room for more. If you've never attended a local film premiere, the energy is incredible.
AB: What's it like to watch a movie you made?
JR: It's incredible to see everyone's contributions come together. But as the creator, I see all the choices we made due to budget constraints, things most viewers wouldn't notice.
AB: Do you plan to make another movie?
JR: I do! The biggest hurdle is funding, especially here in London. I need to figure out how to access investors, tax credits and government funding.
AB: Well, it's great to have you here. Enjoy the screening tomorrow, and thanks for joining us this morning.
JR: Thank you.