“After” is the first time I’ve collaborated on a script and story with someone other than my best friend who passed away a decade ago.

I’m constantly reminded of our collaborative style when I re-read things we wrote and watch shorts that we made together. We were hard-headed and stubborn. I’ve spent a lot of time growing up and replaying how I would handle working with someone else on a script if given the chance now. Luckily, I was presented with an opportunity to do just that.

A dear friend approached me with a script of his, asking me if I’d like to produce it. After some hesitance, he graciously allowed me to work through my own reservations alongside him. His patience and openness made this process easy! He allowed me to shape the script and story with him, giving me permission to put parts of myself in this very timely tale that would allow me to be fully invested in the production. I’m so thankful for Andrew Scherer’s collaboration and graciousness, for without it, this project would simply not exist.

This story is one that I immediately connected with. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence in our everyday lives, the world that Andrew painted in his script is one that may not be here today, but seems like it’s right around the corner. I’ve only been married for three years myself (and Andrew is newly wed), but thinking about the choice at the center of the story really resonated with me. What would I do for more time with the one that I love? It also brought up other questions, like what really makes us human? Is it just our collective conscience? And ultimately, who gets to choose how they’re remembered?

Through Taylor and Robert, I think we were able to tackle these difficult questions and more. There’s a conviction in Taylor that I personally admire. She’s battled this illness against her will for years. Why would it be anyone else’s decision but hers on how it ends? There’s a calm that our actress Tara so steadily conveyed. She’s at peace with this decision. Because at the end of the day, the only thing she has any control over is how she’s remembered. Her identity and legacy should be her own, not for her husband to decide. She’s worried about becoming a burden to her husband. She’s quickly losing control over her life, and this decision is the one thing she still has control over.

But through Robert’s eyes, I understand wanting to do whatever possible to extend your time with the person you love. He’s also invested time and energy into Taylor during her fight. There may be an entitlement there that he doesn’t see a problem with. But this ultimately made me realize how, if we’re lucky, the most important thing that we can leave behind for our loved ones are the collective memories of a life well lived. All we can hope to do is give our spouse and our families something beautiful to remember.

We shot this over two days with an incredible crew in the heat of the summer. I had such a wonderful experience with our crew and our two leads, Casey and Tara. I hope the final product is able to make everyone associated with the project proud. The final shots of the film, with Robert and Taylor fulfilling a promise made to each other, just a little quicker than they wanted, moves me every time I watch. I hope the audience can connect with those moments, this story and the questions at the center of it.

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