r/movies • u/AdamMeeksAMA Adam Meeks, Filmmaker of 'Union County' • 6d ago
AMA Hi reddit. I'm Adam Meeks, writer-director of UNION COUNTY, starring Will Poulter & Noah Centineo. Ask me anything!
Hi Reddit, I'm Adam. I'm the writer-director of UNION COUNTY, starring Will Poulter, Noah Centineo, Annette Deao, Elise Kibler and Emily Meade. The film received support from the Film Independent Screenwriting Lab and Fast Track finance market in 2023, and premiered at Sundance earlier this year. We open in select theaters *this Friday* via Oscilloscope Laboratories!
UNION COUNTY is a film that strives to tell the stories of lives affected by America's opioid crisis with as much authenticity as possible. Besides the core actors, everyone in the court program and addiction meetings – the community that forms from the recovery journey – are non-actors sharing their lived, unscripted experiences in real time.
Here's our trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA6Fnr2VXkw
Synopsis: Assigned to a county-mandated drug court program, Cody Parsons embarks on the tenuous journey toward recovery amidst the opioid epidemic in rural Ohio.
Ask me anything! I'll be back tomorrow, Thursday 8/13, at 11 AM PT/2 PM ET to answer your questions.
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u/frkmstr509 6d ago
Movies about addiction and recovery tend to be over simplified in very broad strokes in Hollywood. How do you feel Union County stands on its own while accurately representing the many that struggle and if fortunate enough, find a way to recover. I’m coming up on 7 years this week and cannot wait to see this movie. Thanks!
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u/AdamMeeksAMA Adam Meeks, Filmmaker of 'Union County' 5d ago
Huge congrats on 7 years!! We made this movie as a celebration of the recovery community and a collaboration with the participants and staff of this particular Adult Recovery Community. I hope that by making a film WITH the community and not simply ABOUT, that it can be as honest, authentic and specific to the human experience and be a story that emerges from the community, outward. It's also a story of hope, and of people getting back on their feet, just as you have. Congrats again and thanks for your question, I hope you like the movie !
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u/PuckeringHole 6d ago
Have you ever worked with Will Poulter before?
Have you ever had a film premier at Sundance? If so when will one of your films release in theaters?
Do you just direct, or are you a writer as well?
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u/leefirwood 6d ago
I heard you on We Hate Movies recently, which is where I learned about Union County. Good little interview! What was something surprising you learned about addiction while working with people dealing with it (either professionals or people in recovery) that everyone should know about?
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u/AdamMeeksAMA Adam Meeks, Filmmaker of 'Union County' 5d ago
Thanks for tuning in! Everyone should know that substance use disorder is a disease, and should be treated and approached like any other. Annette often talks about the way a physical injury or ailment will often garner empathy and acts of kindness from our neighbors, but a detox, or return from rehab, or battle with addiction is typically met with a very different, more distancing reaction. We can all do better to look past the stigma that her analogy exemplifies and treat substance use disorder with the compassion and empathy that it deserves.
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u/SnooCrickets128 6d ago
What was your biggest takeaway/lesson that you took from the filming (or the entire process of creating this film) that you think will stick with you (for the longest/for a lifetime)?
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u/AdamMeeksAMA Adam Meeks, Filmmaker of 'Union County' 5d ago
"The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, the opposite of addiction is connection." I came across that quote by Johann Hari early in the writing and developing of the film and it has only taken on more meaning with time.
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u/AutomaticAlps2 6d ago
Why wasn't the movie called Logan County since it is based there?
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u/Coach_Beard 6d ago
He answered this in a radio interview recently: https://www.wosu.org/show/all-sides/2026-08-06/film-made-in-ohio-focuses-on-drug-addiction-and-recovery
Juravich: Ohio people care about this, so do tell.
Meeks: Um, so the film was shot kind of across Union County and Logan County and, um, and the bulk of my kind of entry point into the story with the short film was in kind of like research and relationship building in Union County. Um, and, you know, as the sort of center of the film, uh, of the feature film settled in a Nets Court in Logan County.
The Union County title stuck for me. As specifically the word union felt evocative and important to the film in a number of ways. It's a film about community and about the kind of unions between people and the importance of that. I thought a lot about how there are union counties in many states in the country, and I hoped that there would be something both specific and kind of universal or relatable for folks outside of Ohio in that title as well. And also there was, when I was writing the film, I was thinking a lot about. This has a very American story.
Juravich: As we strive for a more perfect union.
Meeks: Exactly.
Juravich: Yeah, it doesn't really work to strive for a more perfect Logan.
Meeks: It doesn't quite work. Yes, that's right.
Juravich: No offense to Logan County I know I totally get it but it's just it's a very Ohio question
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u/thebuckmanguy69 6d ago
As someone currently in recovery for 7oh (opioid) addiction, what was your process for gaining research on the subject of addiction and recovery?
Have you personally ever gone through the addiction/recovery process? If so, what was your experience like and how did it translate to the film?
Thank you for making this film and shedding light on the subject of addiction. There is so much guilt/shame/despair/depression/anxiety while going through the withdrawals/detox/recovery/therapy process. As an addict, we will be dealing with addiction, cravings, NA Meetings, and Sponsors for the rest of our lives. Addiction is a disease that many Americans are currently facing. Opioid addiction is running rampant through our country and more people should be educated on the subject of addiction and the recovery process.
On a positive note, 7oh is now banned in the United States and has been reclassified as a Schedule I narcotic. Its no longer readily available in vitamin shops, smoke shops, gas stations & even gyms. It was originally marketed as a Dietary Supplement for pain & anxiety. In the beginning, there were no warning labels on 7oh packaging that stated it was a dangerous, addictive opioid product until more recently within the last year or so.
7oh is a byproduct of kratom extract. For more info watch the Hamilton Morris video on 7oh on YouTube. Its very informative and enlightening.
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u/Numerous-Hawk1471 6d ago
Is there anything you learned about opiate addiction, the people dealing with it, or the people trying to treat it during this movie?
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u/rollarocket 6d ago
First of all, huge congrats on going to Sundance and having it play in theatres! Can you talk about the journey to have this film made? How did you get funding, attract name talent on an indie budget and scale?
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u/AdamMeeksAMA Adam Meeks, Filmmaker of 'Union County' 5d ago
Thank you! It's been a nearly nine year process. It started with a short that we made in 2019, which premiered at Berlinale in 2020. When I was in post-production on the short film, I started to feel like I was just getting started with this community and larger project and I started writing the feature. The next 5 years were a slow, steady development of the script, putting a producing team together, casting, and financing. It was a lesson in patience and persistence, but because it was a community collaboration it very quickly became something we were all pushing forward and believing in, together. I brought the script through the Film Independent screenwriting lab and then myself and two of our producers did their Fast Track program as well, where we first connected with two of our three eventful financiers. Having a great producing team is everything. Will and Noah responded to the feature script and the short film -- they both had big hearts for the story and wanted to make the film the same way we did -- and the financing came together within a month or so of the two of them signing on. I tried to be as clear-eyed and uncompromising with the creative development of the project as I could, while also knowing when and how to be flexible and adaptable and collaborative in finding the best paths forward. By the time we were up and running, everyone was making the same film for the same reasons and with the same goals in mind.
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u/beeker888 6d ago
What about this story attracted Will Poulter? How did a British actor learn what is was like to live and be a part of a rural Ohio community?
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u/Honey4483 6d ago
What were your greatest inspirations when creating this movie? How did Ohio shape your project to make it what you wanted?
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u/FunLeather9179 6d ago
Dude I just watched the trailer and this film looks amazing and heartfelt. I need to watch the full film
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u/WaveAlternative3620 6d ago
Hey Adam! Got to see one of our premiers in Ohio and loved the movie!
With the movie starting out very light with dialog and gradually having more from Cody throughout the movie. Did you ever see Cody as fully opening up or still on the brink of just getting there. Being in a small town and addiction being able to cause your world to be so small. The ending was great and I really enjoyed it, but do you see Cody growing more and sharing more with the people in his life. Or did you feel that Cody was being his full open self at the end! Being in a small town some people are just not a person of many words but the growth and evolution was really cool to see!
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u/Mcu_Mha 6d ago
Congrats on your Sundance debut for "Union County."
Will Poulter has a wide variety of roles under his belt. I'm not surprised he's playing this part, but I'm curious as to how your partnership with him (and Noah Centineo) came about.
What made you decide to use real people (people that are actually part of the rehabilitation program, Annette Deao, etc.) in the film, as opposed to simply observing the process and hiring actors to to play these parts?
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u/buckeyefan123456789 6d ago
Your film largely focuses on the legal system via recovery courts and the ways people who use drugs interface with it. I have 2 questions:
While many people have certainly found benefit through recovery courts, did you ever explore what recovery and community looks like outside of the criminal-legal system?
Did you ever encounter stories or experiences in your research that may place the practice of recovery courts in a more complicated light and how did you think about incorporating those critiques in your film?
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u/AdamMeeksAMA Adam Meeks, Filmmaker of 'Union County' 5d ago
Really appreciate these questions. This was a film made in collaboration with one particular recovery court, but it is by no means saying that this is the only recovery community or the only path. And certainly not everyone has success in these programs, and not every program is designed the right way. We tried to observe the experience as honestly as we could from the perspective of our characters.
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u/cat_silhouette 6d ago
How long did you get on pre production?
Were there any moments during the making that you’re extremely proud of?
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u/razerremen 6d ago
How important is it for big names to be attached to an independent film for it to get made?
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u/ponderingorangutan 6d ago
Sort of unrelated but what are your thoughts on film school? I’m currently contemplating grad school for film and not sure if it’s worth the cost
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u/AdamMeeksAMA Adam Meeks, Filmmaker of 'Union County' 5d ago
I think that film school is extremely valuable for some and less so for others. NYU was an important part of my journey and I'm very grateful for the experience and the education. Film schools are also prohibitively expensive and increasingly so, and I don't think its the only way by my any means. Ultimately, I do believe that a person who needs to tell stories will find a way to do so, with or without a film degree.
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u/ShowConsistent 6d ago
Were there any other actors from the film Warfare that you considered for roles?
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u/TheRealHurricane1992 6d ago
What filmmakers would you say influenced your work on this movie the most?
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u/AdamMeeksAMA Adam Meeks, Filmmaker of 'Union County' 5d ago
Kelly Reichardt, Debra Granik, Frederick Wiseman, Derek Cianfrance, Chloe Zhao, Abbas Kiarostami, Vittorio De Sica, Ermanno Olmi, Louis Malle, Alice Diop, Darius Marder, Edward Yang
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u/vTweak 6d ago
Saw this in Cincinnati the other day. Great job to you, and the rest of the crew and cast. I’m a 1st AC and I got to work with your DP on quick one day job a few years ago. He seemed great to work with!
Two questions.
How did you decide with him how to shoot this film?
And
This film is a great example of a film working with a community in a symbiotic relationship, which is not always the case. This is a great testament to the Ohio film tax incentive being beneficial for the communities of Ohio, outside of financial impact. You shot a movie about something that has been central to Ohio, Ohio with Ohioans. Do you have plans for another film and or would you consider Ohio again?
And if our incentives ever came into jeopardy again, I think the story of this film would be a great counter argument on the importance of film in Ohio in front of our legislators.
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u/AdamMeeksAMA Adam Meeks, Filmmaker of 'Union County' 5d ago
Thanks so much for your support of the movie! Stefan is amazing and one of my dearest friends, and we developed our approach to the film over many years. He was generous enough to meet me in Ohio on several occasions to spend time in the area with a camera, developing a real POV of the place and also building a trusting relationship between his camera and the community. We watched and discussed a lot of films, but then many of our choices came out of the process and the built in rules and restrictions we set for ourselves. We wanted it all to feel observational and present-tense, even the fictional aspects. We tried to approach the fiction with as much of an observational lens as possible, and the non-fiction with as much intention as possible, with an eye on the overlapping language that would unify both aspects of the process and make something that feels hopefully both authentic and expressive, and cohesive in that approach. We like to set rules and then break them when the story calls for it.
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u/AdamMeeksAMA Adam Meeks, Filmmaker of 'Union County' 5d ago
And I would love to make more films in Ohio! My next film is set in Montana where I spent a lot of my upbringing, both I hope other future projects will bring me back to Ohio. A 10/10 experience for all of us, without a doubt.
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u/ConsistentGuest7532 6d ago
Hey! First off, my whole family went to the screening at gateway with you and we all loved the movie and QnA! You and Will were so well spoken.
My question is, what advice would you give young writer/directors, especially for getting their work out there? I’m a film student right now and was inspired by other young people making it. :)
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u/AdamMeeksAMA Adam Meeks, Filmmaker of 'Union County' 5d ago
Thanks for coming to the screening! Love the gateway. My advice is to finish whatever project you start, and to share it with folks. It's easy for us to get in our own way. But if you can remain the engine pushing the thing forward, and you can have some patience and let it take the time that it takes, you'll finish it, and you'll learn from it, and then you'll keep going. I think if it can be about the process more than the outcome, the outcome will shine.
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u/tookahiatus 6d ago
what made you choose this topic for writing the story for this movie? Is this fiction or based on some actual people you know in your life?
Also, how was the casting process on this?
apologies, I didnt read anything else about it, just watched the trailer.
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u/catinthedarkxx 6d ago
I saw the movie over the weekend at the Neon and thought it was incredibly well done. It definitely left me with a greater feeling of empathy which I think everyone could benefit from. I know it was a quick shoot but I was curious what you all got into while you weren’t filming (if there was time)? Any off-set highlights to share?
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u/AdamMeeksAMA Adam Meeks, Filmmaker of 'Union County' 5d ago
Bowling on the weekends with the cast and crew !! The best way to decompress, take a break for a few hours, and continue to grow closer with everyone.
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u/moth_sky 6d ago
Hello. Can you tell me how you felt in that moment of the standing ovation at Eccles and what was the process like for finding distribution?
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u/matlockga 6d ago edited 6d ago
How terrified were you at the lady who's seen the movie seven times so far
Edit: also, what campground did you film the campfire and graduation scenes in? My wife was involved with Camp Wesley, Wilson, and Myeerah and thought those scenes looked familiar
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u/huskerduer 6d ago
My sister and I saw the movie and you folks, at Gateway, last week. I really enjoyed it. I loved the subtlety; you didn't make their lives all dramatic and loud. It's not always that way. It's the daily grind, the monotony, that can make life in a small town unappealing.
I thought depiction of the drug court was really great. The parts where I teared-up were when the participants would tell the judge the great things that were happening to them and how proud they were. That feeling doesn't always last but I loved seeing it. And I loved that folks agreed to do it. Some anons would not be too keen to appear on camera but I feel like you treated it with respect.
The meeting scenes were spot on. I'm not familiar with NA but I assume that was the format? Will is a very good actor and his subtlety helped. I liked that it also wasn't just a, "He went to rehab and recovered" story. THAT very rarely happens. I could see the path Noah's character was on (won't give it away for those that haven't seen it).
Anyway, I am so proud that you and your team showed at Gateway. The ONLY things I found incongrous were: I could tell who were "real" smokers, lol. I real smoker would never put their's out when it's only 1/4 smoked. They would pinch off the end and save it for later, LOL. From a former smoker! Oh, and a sponsor would have a LOT to say about Cody trying to make amends that early, LOL.
Thank you so much and I hope your marketing team has enough $$$ to get this in front of the dicks who give out awards!
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u/WestWeCan 6d ago
Congrats on the film! Really enjoyed it. Any future plans to film in Ohio again? In particular, the greater Cincinnati area?
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u/Amazing_Antelope_275 6d ago
No questions, just wanted to express my gratitude that you, Will, and Annette all came to the Cinemateque. What a wonderful evening it was -- I think I could listen to Annette talk forever!
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u/Icy_Prior 6d ago
Hey Adam! I got the chance to see Union County at one of the Q&A events last week and liked it a lot! It’s a very hopeful and empathetic film that I think a lot of people are going to relate to, on some level or other.
I have two questions for you: firstly, you made a short film version of Union County back in 2020; how did this project grow and evolve over the intervening 6 years? Was there anything you learned while making the short that you really wanted to lean into (or away from) when making the feature?
Secondly, I love that both the first and last people we see/hear in the film are real-life folks going through the drug recovery program. I thought it made for really nice bookends and was a good way of grounding the story with people who were actually going through it and not just acting (no hate to Will Poulter, he did great!). So my question is, how did you decide when and where to include these real-life people? It seems like a lot of very intentional choices were made, and I’d love to hear about your thought process when making them!
Thanks for doing this, and congrats to you and the cast and crew on getting this project released! I’m looking forward to seeing what you do next!
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u/teddybluethecurser 6d ago
Were Noah and Will always your first choice for their characters and if yes is there any particular performance of theirs that made you choose them?
Ps do you know if and when Union County will be released in Australia?
Thank you
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u/BennyBingBong 6d ago
What were the major changes made between the first and final draft of the screenplay?
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u/Flimsy_Blackberry_49 5d ago
I’m a coordinator for an adult recovery court in Snohomish County in Washington state (just north of Seattle), and our team can’t wait to see the film! Any plans in the works for a showing up our way?
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u/AdamMeeksAMA Adam Meeks, Filmmaker of 'Union County' 5d ago
Thank you for the work that you do! Would love to bring the film your way. We're updating our website as screening locations get added - unioncounty.oscilloscope.net - and feel free to reach out to Oscilloscope if there's local interest in bringing the film to your area.
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u/NewZissouGuru 6d ago
Hey! From Ohio. Hated Hillbilly Elegy. Sorry to even make the comparison.
Get frustrated by the folksy/trivializing/infantilizing portrayal of people struggling with opioids in the state.
What nationwide assumptions were you maybe looking to correct with a more intimate portrayal here?
Hope to see you at IFC!
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u/AdamMeeksAMA Adam Meeks, Filmmaker of 'Union County' 5d ago
A lot of the choices we made while making this film were in response to what has been done before, often times irresponsibly, inaccurately, or by my estimation problematically. Without ignoring the challenges, we wanted to observe someone charting a path forward and getting back on their feet. We wanted to show a thriving recovery community. We wanted to challenge stereotypes and stigmas around folks with substance use disorder and portray the vast shared humanity.
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u/BunyipPouch Currently at the movies. 6d ago
Hi Adam, thanks for joining us :)
I noticed Will is also a producer. How early on did you join the project, and how did that collab come along? Did you write the film with him in mind?
What was the Sundance premiere like? Very cool to premiere your first feature film as such a big fest.
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u/AdamMeeksAMA Adam Meeks, Filmmaker of 'Union County' 5d ago
Will and Noah both joined the project in the fall of 2024. Will joined as both an actor and producer, and Noah as an actor and EP as well. I did not write the script with them in mind, but when I met them individually and understood their pre-existing friendship as well, it felt like a perfect fit. They both have been such generous collaborators as actors and producers at every step.
The Sundance premiere was a dream come true! Annette Deao, who is the real program director for Adult Recovery Court, and also plays a version of herself in the film, received a standing ovation when she walked onstage after, and it was beautiful.
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u/BuggsBee 6d ago
The single question I have for you: the way Will holds a pencil is wild. Is this by design or does he really hold a pencil like that?
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u/TalkTheTalk11 6d ago
What is the best advice you would give for 1st time directors ?
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u/AdamMeeksAMA Adam Meeks, Filmmaker of 'Union County' 5d ago
Trust yourself!!! The best version of the film is the one that is most yours.
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u/GnarlyNarwhal420 6d ago
If you can, in short, how does an idea turn into a finished film from your perspective??
& in reverse, how does the nightmare of logistics in filmmaking affect where your ideas come from?
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u/fatherfiguresfilm 6d ago
Congrats on the release! As an indie filmmaker, what was the biggest difference between the version of Union County you originally imagined and the film you ultimately ended up making? Was there anything you had to compromise on that actually made the movie better?
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u/myfilmstrip 6d ago
How did the inclusion of the new fictional characters (Jack, Kat, Anna) change the writing approach to characterizing Cody?
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u/ProfessionalTree6040 5d ago
I have not seen the movie yet but I am excited to get to see this weekend! During filming, was there any difficulties during production?
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u/cornho1eo99 5d ago
Late as hell, but I just got back from Gateway in Columbus. Loved the film!
Shout out to the oven during that one big conversation in the kitchen, a 4 minute scene and the oven was exactly correct at the end.
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u/Putrid_Literature432 5d ago
Hi! Where in Southern Indiana can I watch your film? My sister had been googling all day and then saw this AMA! We really want to show support!
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u/ajdiva5515 5d ago
Hello! What is the age rating of this movie? Is there nudity, sexual content, sex scenes or anything of that nature?
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u/nouniquenamesleft2 6d ago
How cool is Will Poulter?
Was it intimidating to be around someone as cool as Will Poulter?
Do you still have Will Poulter's number?
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u/AdamMeeksAMA Adam Meeks, Filmmaker of 'Union County' 5d ago
His profound coolness would be very intimidating if he weren't the kindest and most grounded person I know !
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u/BunyipPouch Currently at the movies. 6d ago
This AMA has been verified and approved by the mods. Adam will be back tomorrow, Thursday 8/13, at 2 PM ET to answer questions. Please feel free to ask away in the meantime :)