Emergence of a New Project

Jay Duplass, a prominent figure in independent film, recently embarked on a new creative endeavor with his film The Baltimorons. Known for his collaborative works with his brother Mark and roles in series such as Amazon’s Transparent and FX’s Dying for Sex, Duplass felt compelled to explore a larger project.

After encountering actor and comedian Michael Strassner through his engaging Instagram videos, Duplass felt the spark to create a film that departed from the low-budget comedies that initially defined his career. The Baltimorons tells the story of a six-months-sober improv comedian who breaks a tooth on Christmas Eve, leading him to an unexpected adventure with his dentist, portrayed by Liz Larsen.

Acknowledgment at the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival

During a recent appearance at the Fremont Theater for the 31st Annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, Duplass was honored with the Spotlight Award. He shared his motivations for creating The Baltimorons, emphasizing his strong instincts about the project.

“I felt tremendous untapped potential energy,” said Duplass. “I intuitively felt that [Strassner and Larsen] would have incredible chemistry. I felt the push of the universe saying, make this movie, make it now, don’t worry about the budget, let it be small.”

His instincts seem to have paid off, as the film won the Audience Award at the SXSW Film Festival and received positive reviews from critics.

Independent Filmmaking in a Changing Landscape

Duplass noted the challenges of filmmaking post-pandemic, reflecting on how the landscape has shifted dramatically.

“It was incredibly difficult to make anything at that time,” he explained. “And, when I emerged, I started having that feeling that we all have in Hollywood, which is not what have you done, but what have you done lately?”

Facing a competitive industry, Duplass chose to return to his roots, drawing inspiration from real-life stories to create compelling narratives.

The Future of Duplass Brothers Productions

While Duplass and his brother Mark have experienced what he calls a “conscious uncoupling,” they continue to collaborate through their production company, Duplass Brothers Productions, known for projects like HBO’s Togetherness and Somebody Somewhere.

“There’s a really big interview with Terry Gross about how hard that was, but how careful we were to make sure that we took care of each other,” he mentioned.

Looking Forward

When asked about his ultimate dream project, Duplass expressed that his focus remains on the immediate future.

“The dream project is the next project. It is the next one that will actually happen,” he stated. “There’s kind of like no saving for later.”

A Lighthearted Moment

Closing the discussion, Duplass humorously addressed the question of which filmmaker trio would win in a cage match: the Duplass Brothers, Coen Brothers, or Safdie Brothers.

“The Coen Brothers … they’re just too damn soft. Too old, too soft,” noted Duplass. “The Safdie Brothers are murderous, yet extremely out of shape. The Duplass Brothers have to do a lot of exercise and self-regulation to not be depressed all the time, and we are fit as fuck.”