It was love at first-sight when I read Molly Giles’ quirky, short story THE WRITERS’ MODEL. Line by line I could see a film take shape. I was delighted by the lead female character who is smart, fearless and self-possessed enough to roll with whatever the male writers throw her way. It’s such an absurd yet very real exchange that takes place. The questions the writers ask are those that many men, given the same opportunity, would ask—or at least want to hear the answers to. As an advertising agency producer who works mainly with men, I’ve heard some of the questions myself.

I was also intrigued by the idea of the role of muse in the arts. Why are woman historically so eager to be mined for other people’s arts? Why is it that when someone is deemed an artist, however marginal, society cuts them such a wide swath? What is the artist’s responsibility to the muse, if any? Who really has control, the artist or the muse? I’m not sure that I found the answers to these questions but they remain intriguing to me.

As I showed the script, and later the rough-cut, to male friends and colleagues I was surprised by the strong feelings that several had. Surely I didn’t think that’s what all men are like? No, I don’t. But I know that some men are, and that most men have at least a bit of the writers in them. My intent was to tell this story from the female character’s perspective, so that we see life as she does. If I am criticized for that, it’s o.k. by me.

The story lent itself to a very visual, stylistic approach. I treated it as a surreal satire. I developed a moody, mysterious atmosphere for the beginning of the film to emphasize that the model is walking fearlessly into the unknown. As the film progresses and the model knows the writers better, the mystery is peeled away in stages, and the men come clearly into view.