Zoe Lister-Jones on her BAND AID film, Bed Bath & Beyond – Watch the LIFE IN PIECES Star on Relationships, Directing New Film with Adam Pally, Fred Armisen

Zoe Lister-Jones talked to Bay Area HQ  (video above) this week about San Francisco, relationships, Uber, Bed Bath & Beyond, and her directorial debut, BAND AID, (IFC Films) the refreshingly raw, real, and hilarious story of a couple, Anna (Zoe Lister-Jones) and Ben (Adam Pally), who can’t stop fighting. Advised by their therapist to try and work through their grief unconventionally, they are reminded of their shared love of music. In a last-ditch effort to save their marriage, they decide to turn all their fights into song, and with the help of their neighbor Dave (Fred Armisen), they start a band. A story of love, loss, and rock and roll, BAND AID is a witty and perceptive view of modern love, with some seriously catchy pop hooks to boot.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT FROM ZOE LISTER-JONES

I began writing Band Aid first and foremost because I was interested in exploring gender dynamics within a long term relationship. There seemed to be consistencies in the battles waged behind closed doors among my married friends. Many were chronic, and almost all were banalities rooted in something much deeper. There was freedom in learning that the squabbles that sometimes defined a marriage were not individualistic. In my discussions, I began to think, perhaps there was a code waiting to be cracked; or at the very least, an opportunity to quantify our differences as a means to bridge them.

Having written lyrics for songs since I was a teenager and then writing lyrics for the all original soundtrack to Breaking Upwards, music was something I was habitually drawn to, and had, as of late, felt was missing in my life. The idea of exploring a couple’s domestic strife through song immediately compelled me, and thus, Band Aid was born.

I decided to make the protagonists, Anna and Ben, artists because I was equally interested in the story of failed artists learning to make art precisely out of that sense of failure, both individual and shared. How couples overcome loss, in all of its many forms, was a thread that I wanted to unravel, interweaving the personal with the professional and all of the indecipherable mess that lies in between.

Tonally, I set out with a question: what would it look like if Cassavetes made a comedy? Could one achieve the raw immediacy, the nuanced unpredictability, through a comedic lens? My favorite comedies were able to weave seamlessly between moments of elation and anguish. I strove to achieve that elasticity, through dialogue, my incredible cast and my fearless crew, made up entirely of women.

Hiring an  all-female production crew was deliberate-  I wanted to give opportunities to women in departments that they otherwise may not be given. I also felt that women in a collective might engender a different sense of confidence, and a uniquely collaborative energy, within the creative process.

I began by collaborating with my producer, Natalia Anderson. Our first hire was cinematographer Hillary Spera, whose work I admired and in whom I immediately found a kindred spirit. I was interested in shooting entirely handheld, to emphasize the intimacy of the narrative, ultimately creating a dynamic in which the camera at times felt voyeuristic. Hillary’s shooting style was a perfect fit. We decided to shoot two cameras, to further be able to capture intimacy on its rawest level, on the Arri Amira, with Cooke vintage lenses.

I was lucky enough to find two actors, both deeply funny and funnily deep, who happened to know how to play instruments. Adam Pally played guitar in high school bands, and Fred Armisen was a professional drummer in a punk band for many years before he came to his SNL fame. This was essential, because I insisted we play all of the music in the film live. I had seen too many movies in which live performances were clearly pre-recorded and, to me, it sacrificed authenticity. I wanted the audience to see and hear our imperfections, to feel the electricity of live performance captured on screen.

We shot entirely in Los Angeles, which, though raised in Brooklyn, I now call home. Band Aid is a film about a home, and what it takes to cultivate that sacred and often fragile space. It’s a film about art, and love, and rock and roll. And how we find light amidst the dark.

ABOUT THE CAST

ZOE LISTER-JONES

Zoe Lister-Jones grew up in Brooklyn, New York.  As the only child of two artists, she was exposed to the New York art scene at an early age, eventually leading her to the NYU Tisch School of the Arts and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.

Lister-Jones is an actor, director, writer, and producer who is currently starring opposite Colin Hanks on CBS’ LIFE IN PIECES.  She recently co-starred in Rick Famuyiwa’s CONFIRMATION for HBO, about the controversial confirmation hearing of Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. She portrays Carolyn Hart, an aide to then Senator Biden (played by Greg Kinnear).

Most recently, Lister-Jones made her directorial debut with BAND AID, which she also wrote, produced, and starred in, opposite Adam Pally and Fred Armisen. The film, which will premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, follows a couple who, in the wake of a miscarriage, decide to turn all their fights into songs and start a band. In addition, Lister-Jones hired an all female production crew.

While living and working in NY, Zoe Lister-Jones’ career as a multi-hyphenate kicked off with critically acclaimed indie comedy, BREAKING UPWARDS, a film in which starred, co-wrote, produced. Lister-Jones subsequently co-wrote and starred in the Fox Searchlight feature LOLA VERSUS. In 2015, Lister-Jones co-wrote and produced CONSUMED, where she stars opposite Danny Glover and Victor Garber — a dramatic thriller set in the complex world of GMOs.

Additional feature film credits include THE OTHER GUYS, SALT, STATE OF PLAY, SHADOWS AND LIES, STUCK BETWEEN STATIONS, ARMLESS and ARRANGED.

Lister-Jones’ past television credits include co-starring roles in FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES, WHITNEY, DELOCATED, and guest appearances in THE GOOD WIFE, THE CLASS, BORED TO DEATH and  KIDNAPPED. She most recently had a recurring role on NEW GIRL as Councilwoman Fawn Moscato.

In addition to her screen credits, Lister-Jones starred on Broadway opposite Jeff Goldblum in SEMINAR, and opposite Johnny Galecki in THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED, a role which she originated at New York’s Second Stage Theater.  Her off-Broadway credits include, in THE MARRIAGE OF BETTE AND BOO, THE ACCOMPLICES and her one-woman show CODEPENDENCE IS A FOUR LETTER WORD, which she produced, wrote and starred in, and was a New York Times Critics Pick.

Lister-Jones now resides in Los Angeles.

ADAM PALLY

Hailing from Livingston, New Jersey, Adam Pally has quickly found his place as both actor and comedian in Hollywood.  Pally is widely known for starring as Max Blum in the ABC cult hit comedy series Happy Endings.  In March he will star in the new FOX comedy Making History which is from the producing duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller . Recently, Pally starred in and produced the film Joshy which premiered at Sundance in 2015 and Middle School; The Worst Years of My Life in October.  This year at Sundance he will star in not one but two movies, Band Aid and The Little Hours.

Previously, Pally was a series regular on Fox’s The Mindy Project for two seasons playing the fan favorite role of “Peter Prentice.” In 2015 he also starred in indie dramedy Night Owls, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival as well as Slow Learners which he starred in alongside Sarah Burns.

In addition to his acting credits Pally and his writing partner, Gil Ozeri, recently sold an untitled comedy script to Disney. Adam McKay and Will Ferrell’s Gary Sanchez Productions to produce along with Chris Henchy and Kevin Messick. Pally’s production company, Clone Wolf Productions, is also developing numerous projects for broadcast, cable and new media with ABC Studios.

Previously, Pally was seen starring in the indie comedy A.C.O.D. with Amy Poehler and Adam Scott as well as in the comedy The To Do List starring opposite Rachel Bilson and Andy Samberg.  Pally also had a cameo in the blockbuster film Iron Man 3 playing Gary the Cameraman. Adam’s other film credits include Monogamy, The Sophomore, Taking Woodstock and Solitary Man.

Pally has been a member of the Upright Citizens Brigade since 2003, and continues to both write and perform sketch comedy. He has written and performed in two long running sketch comedy shows at theatre with his sketch comedy group, Hot Sauce, an official selection and performer for the Montreal Just for Laugh’s Comedy Festival in 2007. He currently performs with DEATH BY ROO ROO.

Pally is a graduate of the New School in New York and currently resides in Los Angeles.

FRED ARMISEN

Fred Armisen is one of the most diversely talented performers working today with credits that run the gamut from acting, producing, and writing in both comedy and music.

He is the co-creator, co-writer and co-star of IFC’s PORTLANDIA alongside Carrie Brownstein. He received an Emmy® nomination for “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series” in 2014 and four overall nominations for “Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series.” In 2015 and 2016, the show received an Emmy® nomination for “Outstanding Variety Sketch Series.” In 2013, Armisen, along with the other writers, won a Writers Guild Award for “Outstanding Comedy/Variety Series,” and they were nominated again in 2014. PORTLANDIA received the prestigious Peabody Award for excellence in 2011. The critically-acclaimed show’s seventh season premiered January 6, 2017.

Armisen’s most recent venture is his IFC comedy, DOCUMENTARY NOW! The show is a curated series of half-hour documentaries and biopics, each about a completely fictitious subject. The first season received an Emmy® nomination for “Outstanding Variety Sketch Series,” and the second season premiered in September for which Armisen received a 2017 WGA nomination for “Comedy/Variety – Sketch Series.” Seth Meyers is an executive producer for the series along with Armisen and Bill Hader, who play all of the primary roles. In 2015, Hader and Armisen also released a 12” vinyl EP called Catalina Breeze by their fictitious ’70s soft-rock band they portray on the show, The Blue Jean Committee, via record label Drag City.

Additionally, last year Armisen teamed up with Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video, NBCUniversal Telemundo, and fellow SNL alum Horatio Sanz to create a digital comedy channel aimed at the English-speaking Hispanic audience called MAS MEJOR.

Also last winter, Armisen starred alongside Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Penélope Cruz, Christine Taylor and Kristen Wiig in ZOOLANDER 2 and opposite Billie Joel Armstrong, Selma Blair and Judy Greer in ORDINARY WORLD. He will appear in upcoming releases BAND AID, THE LITTLE HOURS, which are both going to this year’s Sundance Film Festival, and will lend his voice to Cole in THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE, due in theaters September 2017.

In February 2014, Armisen was named band leader of the 8G Band on LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS. The band, curated by Armisen, includes members of indie rock bands Les Savy Fav and Girls against Boys.

An eleven season veteran of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, Armisen has engaged audiences with memorable impressions and characters including world leaders like President Barack Obama or Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to half of “Weekend Update’s” unforgettable songwriting team of Garth and Kat (with Kristen Wiig), to name a few.  He closed out his last season in the guise of British punk rocker Ian Rubbish with a star-studded performance of the original song “It’s a Lovely Day.” Armisen has received two WGA nominations for his work on the show in 2016 and 2017.

He has appeared in countless feature films including 7 DAYS IN HELL, EASY A, THE ROCKER, CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC and THE DICTATOR as well as lending his voice to the feature THE SMURFS. He has also appeared in the films TENACIOUS D IN THE PICK OF DESTINY, BABY MAMA , THE EX, and ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY.

On the small screen, he has made guest appearances on NEW GIRL, UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT, MODERN FAMILY, DIFFICULT PEOPLE, BROOKLYN NINE-NINE, 30 ROCK, BROAD CITY, PARKS AND RECREATION, and the cable comedy shows THE SARAH SILVERMAN SHOW,  and TIM AND ERIC AWESOME SHOW, GREAT JOB! He was also seen in the smash kids show YO GABBA GABBA on Nickelodeon and did voice over guest spots on ARCHER and CHOZEN.

His career began as a musician in the Chicago-based post-punk band Trenchmouth as well as the Blue Man Group. His transition to comedy came with the 1998 underground short film FRED ARMISEN’S GUIDE TO MUSIC AND SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST which followed him through the Austin, Texas “South by Southwest” music festival posing as a journalist. In 2006, he interviewed Cat Power for the influential music website Pitchfork.com, and later released a comedic instructional DVD, Complicated Drumming Technique, in 2007. Armisen has landed on Rolling Stone’s “Hot List” and has also been included several times on ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY’s “Must List” for his many projects.

Armisen splits his time between Portland, New York, and Los Angeles.

HANNAH SIMONE

Simone currently stars on FOX’s hit series, “New Girl” playing Zooey Deschanel’s best friend, Cece. The show was nominated for a 2012 Golden Globe Award for “Best Television Series – Comedy or Musical” and Simone won the 2012 Teen Choice Award for “Best Choice TV Breakout Performance – Female.”

Most recently, Hannah can be seen in the feature film, “Miss India America.”  Hannah plays the role of ‘Sonia.’  This project is also a first for Hannah as an Executive Producer.  The film has won the CAAMfest Narrative Award at the Center for Asian American Media Festival and the Special Jury Prize at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

She also recently filmed a role in the independent feature “Folk Hero & Funny Guy” opposite Alex Karpovsky and Melanie Lynskey which is premiering at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival. Her other film credits include Flock of Dudes” starring opposite Chris D’Elia and Skylar Astin and Spike Lee’s “Oldboy” opposite Josh Brolin and Samuel L. Jackson.

She also starred in “H+”, the second Warner Premiere Digital Web series made in conjunction with Dolphin Entertainment and produced by Bryan Singer.  H+ was nominated for the 2013 PGA Award for “Outstanding Digital Series.”

Born in London, Simone grew up living abroad and participating in local theater productions in Saudi Arabia, India, Greece and Canada.

Simone received her bachelor’s degree from the University of British Columbia, where she majored in International Relations and Political Science before going on to work as a human rights and refugee officer with the United Nations in London.  Simone also has a Masters Degree from Ryerson University in Radio, Film and Television.

BROOKLYN DECKER

From magazine covers to the big screen, Brooklyn Decker is a rare success story in the precarious transition from being one of the biggest names in modeling to emerging as a rising Hollywood actress.  Brooklyn began her transition in 2011, starring in her first role in a feature film playing a young teacher romanced by a plastic surgeon (Adam Sandler).  In the comedy Just Go With It for Columbia Pictures, Sandler enlists his assistant (Jennifer Aniston) to pretend to be his ex-wife, in order to cover up a careless lie.  Her performance in the film earned her the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Breakout.

In 2012 Brooklyn starred in Pete Berg’s Battleship for Universal Pictures, opposite Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgård, Liam Neeson and Rihanna.  The young actress also released What to Expect When You’re Expecting the same week for Lionsgate.  Directed by Kirk Jones, Decker played “Skyler” in one of the film’s interlocking stories alongside Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks and Anna Kendrick.  She also recently wrapped Lovesong, directed by So Yong Kim.

Brooklyn has also appeared in NBC’S comedy sitcom pilot Lipshitz Saves the World that led to guest starring roles on FOX’s New Girl, NBC’s Chuck and ABC’s Ugly Betty as well as the USA Network hit Royal Pains.  She then appeared in a three-episode arc of FX’s comedy series, The League.  In 2013, the actress starred in CBS’s ensemble cast comedy Friends With Better Lives as the newly engaged, naïve Jules.  Most recently Brooklyn is appearing alongside Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston in the Netflix “dramedy” Grace and Frankie.

Brooklyn got her start after being prodded by friends into modeling in her hometown of Charlotte at the age of 16.  Two years later, she moved to New York City where she quickly rose to stardom within the industry, gracing the pages of magazines including Vogue, Elle, GQ, Glamour, Esquire, Cosmopolitan, PoP Magazine and Teen Vogue.

Brooklyn’s big break came in 2006 when she first appeared in the wildly popular Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.  In her fifth year, Brooklyn Decker cemented her place in pop culture history by appearing on the cover of the magazine and was consequently named Esquire’s Sexiest Woman Alive and received the Spike TV Guys Choice Hotter than Hell Award.

When not working, Brooklyn is an avid sports fan, cheering on her favorite teams: the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and the Carolina Panthers.  Inspired by her love of sports and her aunt’s personal struggles from being born without a corpus callosum in her brain, Brooklyn became active in the Special Olympics in her hometown of Charlotte in 2004 and is now a global ambassador for the organization.  She also participated in a USO Tour in Fall of 2012 and a Sierra Club visit to the Arctic in 2014.

In April 2009, Brooklyn married professional tennis player Andy Roddick in a private ceremony in Austin and gave birth to a son, Hank, in September 2015.  The couple currently lives in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas with their English bulldogs, Billie Jean and Bob Costas.

ANGELIQUE CABRAL

Angelique Cabral currently stars as ‘Colleen’ on CBS’ hit comedy “Life in Pieces”.  She will next be seen in Zoe Lister-Jones’ directed comedy, Band Aid, which will premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.

Cabral graduated from high school as Valedictorian, summa cum laude and was recruited to Indiana University with a prestigious academic Wells Scholarship.  While there, she double majored in French and Musical Theater, studied abroad for a semester in London, attending the British American Dramatic Academy, and then lived in Paris for a summer where she attended IES (Institute of European Studies) school.  After graduation she moved to New York City in 2001, where she pursued her dream of becoming an actress.

On television, she starred as the female lead in the comedy series “Enlisted” and had a recurring role on “Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23.” Additional television credits include “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Fresh Off the Boat”, “Transparent”, “The Odd Couple,” “NCIS:  Los Angeles,” “Two and a Half Men” and “Criminal Minds,” all on the Network, “Chicago P.D.,” “Backstrom,” “State of Affairs” and “Bad Judge.”

Her feature film credits include Friends with Benefits and a role in the independent feature The Perfect Family, opposite Emily Deschanel. The film debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival and screened as the main attraction at Outfest in 2011.

Her stage credits include the Off-Broadway shows “Tape,” “Jesse Garon Lives” and “Rubirosa.”

Cabral was born in Honolulu and raised in Carmel Valley, Calif.  She considers herself an “ethnically ambiguous mutt,” with a mix of English/French on her mother’s side, and Hispanic/Native American on her father’s side.  She is certified as a Teaching Artist under The American Place Theater, and has worked in public schools teaching at-risk youth about books/plays and how to express themselves. Also, Angelique is quite the “Yogi” and is a certified Kundalini yoga teacher.

Her birthday is January 28. Follow her on Twitter @angeliquecabral.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

ZOE LISTER-JONES (Writer, Producer, Director, Cast)

Zoe Lister-Jones grew up in Brooklyn, New York.  As the only child of two artists, she was exposed to the New York art scene at an early age, eventually leading her to the NYU Tisch School of the Arts and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.

Lister-Jones is an actor, director, writer, and producer who is currently starring opposite Colin Hanks on CBS’ LIFE IN PIECES.  She recently co-starred in Rick Famuyiwa’s CONFIRMATION for HBO, about the controversial confirmation hearing of Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. She portrays Carolyn Hart, an aide to then Senator Biden (played by Greg Kinnear).

Most recently, Lister-Jones made her directorial debut with BAND AID, which she also wrote, produced, and starred in, opposite Adam Pally and Fred Armisen. The film, which will premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, follows a couple who, in the wake of a miscarriage, decide to turn all their fights into songs and start a band. In addition, Lister-Jones hired an all female production crew.

While living and working in NY, Zoe Lister-Jones’ career as a multi-hyphenate kicked off with critically acclaimed indie comedy, BREAKING UPWARDS, a film in which starred, co-wrote, produced. Lister-Jones subsequently co-wrote and starred in the Fox Searchlight feature LOLA VERSUS. In 2015, Lister-Jones co-wrote and produced CONSUMED, where she stars opposite Danny Glover and Victor Garber — a dramatic thriller set in the complex world of GMOs.

Additional feature film credits include THE OTHER GUYS, SALT, STATE OF PLAY, SHADOWS AND LIES, STUCK BETWEEN STATIONS, ARMLESS and ARRANGED.

Lister-Jones’ past television credits include co-starring roles in FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES, WHITNEY, DELOCATED, and guest appearances in THE GOOD WIFE, THE CLASS, BORED TO DEATH and  KIDNAPPED. She most recently had a recurring role on NEW GIRL as Councilwoman Fawn Moscato.

In addition to her screen credits, Lister-Jones starred on Broadway opposite Jeff Goldblum in SEMINAR, and opposite Johnny Galecki in THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED, a role which she originated at New York’s Second Stage Theater.  Her off-Broadway credits include, in THE MARRIAGE OF BETTE AND BOO, THE ACCOMPLICES and her one-woman show CODEPENDENCE IS A FOUR LETTER WORD, which she produced, wrote and starred in, and was a New York Times Critics Pick.

Lister-Jones now resides in Los Angeles.

NATALIA ANDERSON (Producer)

Natalia Anderson is a producer with a passion for bringing stories to life and a track record of bringing ideas to the screen. With roots in northern Maine and a film degree from Emerson College, Anderson began her entertainment career working in production on feature films including Ben Affleck’s directorial debut Gone Baby Gone and follow-up film, The Town.  Natalia spent years working with Elizabeth Banks’ Brownstone Productions, with projects including Pitch Perfect and Banks’ directorial debut, Pitch Perfect 2.

Inspired by her experience as an “RA” at Emerson College, Anderson co-created, and executive produced Hulu’s College Comedy Limited Series, Resident Advisors starring Jamie Chung and Ryan Hanson.

More recently, she partnered with Zoe Lister-Jones to produce Lister-Jones’ directorial debut Band Aid. The independent musical comedy was shot in Los Angeles with an entirely female crew.

Anderson is currently producing and developing content across several platforms including her role as an Associate Producer on CBS’s hit comedy, Life In Pieces.

LIBBY CUENIN (Editor)

Libby Cuenin has been an editor in Los Angeles for 6 years, and this is her first feature to premiere at Sundance. Her favorite projects include Togetherness (HBO), Rainbow Time (SXSW 2016), and Room 104 (premiering May 2017 on HBO).

HILLARY SPERA (Director of Photography)

Hillary Spera is a cinematographer based in Brooklyn, NY. Her previous work includes Katie Aselton and Mark Duplass’ thriller BLACK ROCK,  which premiered at Sundance 2012; HIGH ROAD, an improv comedy feature directed by Upright Citizen’s Brigade founder Matt Walsh; and SALAR, shot in Bolivia and shortlisted for a short form 2013 Academy Award. Documentary credits include DARKON, winner of the Audience Award at 2006 SXSW; ALICE NEEL; AMERICAN JUGGALO; MAIDENTRIP; OXYANA, winner of Best New Director Award for director Sean Dunne at 2013 Tribeca Film Festival; and the 2015 Emmy award-winning AFTER TILLER, directed by Martha Shane and Lana Wilson (which also premiered in competition at Sundance in 2013). Additionally in 2013, she photographed Frank Hall Green’s WILDLIKE, shot in the Alaskan wilderness and winner of three Best Cinematography awards and 57 overall awards in its festival run. Hillary also shot Janet Grillo’s JACK OF THE RED HEARTS, winner of Best Picture at Bentonville Film Festival, BREAKING A MONSTER, a documentary featuring the teenage metal band Unlocking the Truth, and Tannaz Hazemi’s BEFORE THE BOMB, a short that premiered at Cannes Film Festival in 2015. Additionally in 2015, Hillary shot Olivia Milch’s DUDE and Richard Levine’s BLUE ANGEL starring Stanley Tucci. In this past year, Hillary completed Damon Cardasis’ SATURDAY CHURCH, Zoe Lister-Jones’ BAND AID, and DUCK BUTTER, directed by Miguel Arteta and co-written by Alia Shawkat.

LUCIUS (Composer)

Lucius is a triple-threat of “especially gorgeous” vocal harmonies (The New York Times), infectious hooks, and dance-inducing percussion. Pair those traits with the band’s energetic live show and it’s easy to see why Rolling Stone proclaims Lucius is “powerful enough to knock you over.”

Among one of NPR’s “favorite bands” Lucius is co-fronted by charismatic and identically-clad lead vocalists Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig who sing in unison uniquely delivering songs with stories told from the same perspective. The girls are accompanied by multi-instrumentalists Peter Lalish and Dan Molad.

In March, the band released their second studio album, Good Grief, to widespread critical acclaim, about which Pitchfork declared “evoking…sparkling,” while The Guardian called it “wonderful.” Good Grief is Lucius’ follow-up to their 2013 debut, Wildewoman.

Wolfe and Laessig met in 2005 while attending Berklee College of Music. Since forming, Lucius has toured extensively, playing headline shows and major festivals including Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza and Newport Folk Festival. The band has collaborated with the likes of Jeff Tweedy, David Byrne and Roger Waters and have toured with The Decemberists, My Morning Jacket, Jack White and more.

DARYL WEIN (Executive Producer)

DARYL WEIN is an award-winning writer/producer/director and partner in Mister Lister Films. He is known for blending the personal and the political in his work, exploring topics ranging from the AIDS epidemic to open relationships to feminism to the world of genetically modified food. He is represented by the William Morris Endeavor agency and Mosaic.

In Television, Daryl directed for the Golden Globe nominated show, Mozart in the Jungle.

Daryl is the Exec. Producer of the film, BAND AID, which has its World Premiere in Competition at the 2107 Sundance Film Festival.

In Film, he most recently co-wrote, produced and directed the dramatic thriller, CONSUMED, which had its World Premiere at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival, starring Zoe Lister-Jones (Life in Pieces), Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon), Victor Garber (Argo), Beth Grant (Mindy Project), Taylor Kinney (Chicago Fire), Anthony Edwards (Top Gun), Kunal Nayyar (Big Bang Theory), Griffin Dunne (Dallas Buyers Club). Mar Vista released the film World Wide.

Daryl also co-wrote and directed the feature film, LOLA VERSUS, for Fox Searchlight starring Greta Gerwig (Greenberg), Zoe Lister-Jones (Breaking Upwards), Joel Kinnaman (Robocop), Hamish Linklater (The Future), Debra Winger (Terms of Endearment), and Bill Pullman (Independence Day).

His debut narrative feature film, BREAKING UPWARDS, with Zoe Lister-Jones (Lola Versus), Julie White (Transformers), Peter Friedman (The Savages), Olivia Thirlby (Juno), and Andrea Martin (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), was an official selection in the Narrative Competition at the 2009 SXSW Film Festival. IFC Films released the film theatrically and on VOD in 2010.

Wein’s feature length documentary, SEX POSITIVE, won the Grand Jury Prize at the L.A. Outfest Film Fest, and was an official selection at the 2008 South by Southwest Film Festival, London Film Festival, Boston Independent Film Festival, among thirty other film festivals around the world. Regent Releasing distributed the film theatrically in North America, and the film has been released in 8 foreign countries on broadcast and theatrically, most notably at the BFI in London.

SEAN MCKITTRICK (Executive Producer)

Producer Sean McKittrick and Executive Producer Ted Hamm formed Darko Entertainment in 2007 to produce and finance director-driven films by supporting filmmakers with unique voices and helping their films reach a wider audience.  The diverse range of Darko films that McKittrick developed and produced include BAD WORDS, the directorial debut of Jason Bateman, starring Bateman as a high school drop out who discovers a loophole that allows him to enter The National Quill Spelling Bee, which was picked up for distribution by Focus Features following its premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.

Additional Darko films include:  JIMI: ALL IS BY MY SIDE, written and directed by John Ridley and starring André Benjamin as Jimi Hendrix in an intimate story of how Jimmy James became the music legend, which premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival; HELL BABY, the co-directorial debut of actors/screenwriters Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant, starring Rob Corddry and Leslie Bibb as an expectant couple who move into the most haunted house in New Orleans and must call upon the services of the Vatican’s elite exorcism team to save them from their demonic baby, which had its world premiere at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival; and writer/director Bobcat Goldthwait’s critically acclaimed films GOD BLESS AMERICA, starring Joel Murray, and WORLD’S GREATEST DAD, starring Robin Williams.

In 2016, McKittrick and Hamm along with Movie Package Company’s Ray Mansfield and Shaun Redick formed QC Entertainment, a partnership which finances and produces director driven films.   A one-stop solution entertainment finance and production company, QC develops, produces on-set, finances productions, handles sales and distribution, and everything in between.

In addition to BAND AID, QC’s busy slate of projects include:  the upcoming GET OUT, the feature directorial debut of Jordan Peele based on his own original script in a socio-political-horror-thriller starring Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Daniel Kaluuya, and Caleb Landry Jones, which QC developed and produces alongside Blumhouse Productions; producing and financing the true crime thriller GREEN RIVER KILLER, which marks the feature film directorial debut of acclaimed actor Michael Sheen who will also star in the film based on his script adapted from the award winning graphic novel; and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES, written and directed by Burr Steers, a fresh twist on Jane Austin’s classic release by Screen Gems last year.

McKittrick graduated from UCLA going on to develop and produce DONNIE DARKO at 24-years-old.  The film has gone on to become one of the most successful cult classic films in the past 20 years.

RAYMOND MANSFIELD (Executive Producer)

Producer Raymond Mansfield has been integrally involved in film production, as well as production and distribution financing for more than fifteen years.

In 2009, he and industry veteran Shaun Redick formed Movie Package Company, LLC, combining their years of professional, entertainment industry experience and executive deal-making in all components of the filmmaking process from creative conception and development to packaging, financing, production and worldwide distribution.

Before formulating MPC, Mansfield worked with management/production company The Collective, where he undertook a critical role in the Motion Picture Finance and Sales Division. Mansfield’s efforts at The Collective contributed to the packaging, finance and successful sale and distribution of dozens of high-profile independent films, including multiple Academy-Award® nominee and Berlin Film Festival winner THE MESSENGER with Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster, Steve Buscemi and Samantha Morton.

Additionally, Mansfield spent several years working with Bernie Mac and Steven Greener at management / production company, 3 Arts Entertainment, where he played a fundamental role in 20^th Century Fox’s television series “The Bernie Mac Show,” and feature films MR. 3000 and GUESS WHO.

In 2016, MPC’s Mansfield and Redick along with Darko Entertainment’s Sean McKittrick and Ted Hamm formed QC Entertainment, a partnership which finances and produces director driven films.   A one-stop solution entertainment finance and production company, QC develops, produces on-set, finances productions, handles sales and distribution, and everything in between.

In addition to BAND AID, QC’s busy slate of projects include:  the upcoming GET OUT, the feature directorial debut of Jordan Peele based on his own original script in a socio-political-horror-thriller starring Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Daniel Kaluuya, and Caleb Landry Jones, which QC developed and produces alongside Blumhouse Productions; producing and financing the true crime thriller GREEN RIVER KILLER, which marks the feature film directorial debut of acclaimed actor Michael Sheen who will also star in the film based on his script adapted from the award winning graphic novel; and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES, written and directed by Burr Steers, a fresh twist on Jane Austin’s classic release by Screen Gems last year.

Mansfield graduated from the University of Texas at Austin.

TED HAMM (Executive Producer)

Executive Producer Ted Hamm and producer Sean McKittrick formed Darko Entertainment in 2007 to produce and finance director-driven films by supporting filmmakers with unique voices and helping their films reach a wider audience.  The diverse range of Darko films that Hamm served as Executive Producer include BAD WORDS, the directorial debut of Jason Bateman, starring Bateman as a high school drop out who discovers a loophole that allows him to enter The National Quill Spelling Bee, which was picked up for distribution by Focus Features following its premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.

Additional Darko films include:  JIMI: ALL IS BY MY SIDE, written and directed by John Ridley and starring André Benjamin as Jimi Hendrix in an intimate story of how Jimmy James became the music legend, which premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival; HELL BABY, the co-directorial debut of actors/screenwriters Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant, starring Rob Corddry and Leslie Bibb as an expectant couple who move into the most haunted house in New Orleans and must call upon the services of the Vatican’s elite exorcism team to save them from their demonic baby, which had its world premiere at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival; and writer/director Bobcat Goldthwait’s critically acclaimed films GOD BLESS AMERICA, starring Joel Murray, and WORLD’S GREATEST DAD, starring Robin Williams.

In 2016, Hamm and McKittrick along with Movie Package Company’s Ray Mansfield and Shaun Redick formed QC Entertainment, a partnership which finances and produces director driven films.   A one-stop solution entertainment finance and production company, QC develops, produces on-set, finances productions, handles sales and distribution, and everything in between.

In addition to BAND AID, upcoming QC projects include:  the upcoming GET OUT, the feature directorial debut of Jordan Peele based on his own original script in a socio-political-horror-thriller starring Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Daniel Kaluuya, and Caleb Landry Jones, which QC developed and produces alongside Blumhouse Productions; producing and financing the true crime thriller GREEN RIVER KILLER, which marks the feature film directorial debut of acclaimed actor Michael Sheen who will also star in the film based on his script adapted from the award winning graphic novel; and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES, written and directed by Burr Steers, a fresh twist on Jane Austin’s classic release by Screen Gems last year.

In addition to his busy feature film slate, Hamm currently is a board member on several corporations including Northern Homelands, Mackay Envelope, Acoma Oil, Northern Star Foundation, The Hersey Foundation, The Hamm Clinic and Maxum Insurance where he serves as Vice President.  He is a graduate of Brown University.

SHAUN REDICK (Executive Producer)

With almost two decades as one of the industry’s leading motion picture packagers, Executive Producer Shaun Redick has successfully solidified himself amongst a limited number of experts in the field of feature film packaging, financing, production and worldwide distribution.

In 2009, he and industry veteran Ray Mansfield formed Movie Package Company, LLC, combining their years of professional, entertainment industry experience and executive deal-making in all components of the filmmaking process from creative conception and development to packaging, financing, production and worldwide distribution.

Before formulating MPC, Redick’s extensive level of knowledge and relationships began as a literary and international feature agent working for more than a decade with top writers, directors, stars, producers, financiers and distributors while at two of the industry’s leading talent agencies: International Creative Management (ICM), reporting to former CEO Jeff Berg; and William Morris, working directly with former head of WMA Independent, Cassian Elwes.

In 2015, MPC released multiple Independent Spirit Award nominee KUMIKO, THE TREASURE HUNTER, co-produced with Academy-Award® winner Alexander Payne and starring Academy-Award® nominee Rinko Kikuchi.  Other MPC releases include:  AND SO IT GOES, a romantic comedy directed by Rob Reiner and starring Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton; LA BARE, a documentary directed by Joe Manganiello about the history, lives and culture of the world’s most popular male strip club, La Bare Dallas; highbrow horror thriller NOTHING LEFT TO FEAR, produced with, and featuring original music by, iconic rock star guitarist Slash; and IN THE BLOOD, directed by John Stockwell and starring MMA fighter/action star Gina Carano along with an ensemble cast of Danny Trejo, Stephan Lang, and Luis Guzman.  Additional recent credits include multiple Academy-Award® nominee, THE MESSENGER, starring Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster, Steve Buscemi and Samantha Morton; and POWDER BLUE, starring Forrest Whitaker, Jessica Biel, Eddie Redmayne, Patrick Swayze and Ray Liotta.

Before starting MPC, Redick was integrally involved in more than 100 movies, including:  13, starring Evan Rachel Wood and Holly Hunter; THE COOLER, starring Alec Baldwin and William H. Macy, which garnered an Academy-Award® nomination for Baldwin; RUNNING SCARED, starring Paul Walker; MGM’s THE FLOCK, starring Richard Gere and Claire Danes; THE UPSIDE OF ANGER, starring Joan Allen and Kevin Costner; UNKNOWN, starring Jim Caviezal, Barry Pepper and Greg Kinnear; and PENELOPE, starring Reese Witherspoon and Christina Ricci.

In 2016, MPC’s Redick and Mansfield along with Darko Entertainment’s Sean McKittrick and Ted Hamm formed QC Entertainment, a partnership which finances and produces director driven films.   A one-stop solution entertainment finance and production company, QC develops, produces on-set, finances productions, handles sales and distribution, and everything in between.

In addition to BAND AID, QC’s busy slate of projects include:  the upcoming GET OUT, the feature directorial debut of Jordan Peele based on his own original script in a socio-political-horror-thriller starring Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Daniel Kaluuya, and Caleb Landry Jones, which QC developed and produces alongside Blumhouse Productions; producing and financing the true crime thriller GREEN RIVER KILLER, which marks the feature film directorial debut of acclaimed actor Michael Sheen who will also star in the film based on his script adapted from the award winning graphic novel; and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES, written and directed by Burr Steers, a fresh twist on Jane Austin’s classic release by Screen Gems last year.

CREDITS

BAND AID

A Film By

ZOE LISTER-JONES

A MISTER LISTER FILMS / QC ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION

Written, Directed, and Produced by

ZOE LISTER-JONES

Produced by

NATALIA ANDERSON

Cast

ZOE LISTER- JONES

ADAM PALLY

FRED ARMISEN

SUSIE ESSMAN

RETTA

HANNAH SIMONE

RAVI PATEL

BROOKLYN DECKER

ANGELIQUE CABRAL

MAJANDRA DELFINO

COLIN HANKS

DARYL WEIN

CHRIS D’ELIA

JAMIE CHUNG

ERINN HAYES

GILLIAN ZINSER

JESSE WILLIAMS

Director of Photography

HILLARY SPERA

Production Designer

HILLARY GURTLER

Edited by

LIBBY CUENIN

Costumes by

SARAH FLEMING

Original Songs by

ZOE LISTER-JONES & KYLE FORESTER

Score Composed by

LUCIUS

Executive Producer

RAYMOND MANSFIELD

SEAN MCKITTRICK

EDWARD H. HAMM JR.

SHAUN REDICK

Executive Producer

DARYL WEIN

Co-Producer

KRISTEN MURTHA

Co-Producer

KYLE WEBER

Associate Producer

STEPHANIE JANESH

CAST

CREW

SPECIAL THANKS

“We Find The Fight”

Music by Zoe Lister-Jones & Kyle Forester

Lyrics by Zoe Lister-Jones

Performed by Zoe Lister-Jones and Adam Pally

“Papa John”

Music by Zoe Lister-Jones & Kyle Forester

Lyrics by Zoe Lister-Jones

Performed by Zoe Lister-Jones and Adam Pally

“Better Look Back”

Written by Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig

Published by Wildewoman Music (ASCAP)

Performed by Lucius

Courtesy of Mom and Pop Music

“I Don’t Wanna Fuck You”

Music by Zoe Lister-Jones & Kyle Forester

Lyrics by Zoe Lister-Jones

Performed by Zoe Lister-Jones, Adam Pally, and Fred Armisen

“Mood”

Music by Zoe Lister-Jones & Kyle Forester

Lyrics by Zoe Lister-Jones

Performed by Zoe Lister-Jones, Adam Pally, and Fred Armisen

“Feel It”

Written by Shanee Pink

Performed by Shanee Pink

“Love Is Lying”

Music by Zoe Lister-Jones & Kyle Forester

Lyrics by Zoe Lister-Jones

Performed by Zoe Lister-Jones, Adam Pally, and Fred Armisen

“Almighty Gosh”

Written by Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig

Published by Wildewoman Music (ASCAP)

Performed by Lucius

Courtesy of Mom and Pop Music

“Work In Progress/Desire”

Music by Zoe Lister-Jones & Kyle Forester

Lyrics by Zoe Lister-Jones

Performed by Zoe Lister-Jones

“Love Is A Drip”

Music by Zoe Lister-Jones & Dan Molad

Lyrics by Zoe Lister-Jones

Performed by Zoe Lister-Jones and Adam Pally

“Love Song”

Music by Zoe Lister-Jones, Kyle Forester, and Dan Molad

Lyrics by Zoe Lister-Jones

Performed by Zoe Lister-Jones and Dan Molad

“We Find The Fight (Reprise)”

Music by Zoe Lister-Jones, Kyle Forester, and Adam Pally

Lyrics by Zoe Lister-Jones

Performed by Zoe Lister-Jones and Adam Pally