Andromeda Godfrey ’86 (above left) and Diana Juhr DeBenedetti ’86 met on the first day of school at HPA in 1982, and their freshman-year friendship has been a lasting one. In 2010, the duo founded an independent production studio, Makelight Productions, which develops entertaining independent films with the aim of promoting diversity. Diana, who currently lives in Germany, is a screenwriter and producer, and Andromeda, who lives in England, is an actress and producer. Together, they have created four short films, including the critically acclaimed LGBTQ comedy/romance Dream Date, which played in more than 40 film festivals worldwide. Now, Andromeda and Diana have released their first feature-length film: 2:Hrs—a light-hearted family adventure about a teenage boy who learns he has only two hours left to live. 2:Hrs is available for streaming now on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and other platforms. We asked them a few questions about their friendship and working together in the film industry.
How did you start working together?
Andromeda: It started when we met in a pub and drank too many Red Bulls. We set a target of doing 3 short films and a feature. We’ve made 4 short films, and now the feature!
Why the short films?
Andromeda: We started with short films to learn the muscles you need for a feature-length film. It was also a matter of funding and what’s possible; we were able to fund our short films with crowd-funding.
Diana: The second short film we made was for a contest called 50 Kisses. Our film Dream Date made the cut. It was a collaborative effort with 25 filmmakers. One of the other contestants we met in the process approached us later with the script for 2:Hrs. We loved it and thought it was really fun, so we said yes.
Andromeda: The experience as a whole has been one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done in my life. It has tested every part of me, but Diana and I aren’t quitters, so we just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Do you have a favorite moment or memory from making 2:Hrs?
Andromeda: Shooting in the Natural History Museum alone at night was pretty incredible. I think, Diana, you and I were walking around outside, just saying, “Oh my God, this is actually happening.”
Diana: Our writer wrote it to be in the Natural History Museum, but we didn’t know if we’d actually be able to shoot it there. When you imagine your film, you picture the places in your head, and it was pretty amazing for this to actually happen.
What other jobs or careers have each of you had before now, and did they prepare you for producing a feature-length film?
Andromeda: Before being an actress, I had a career in art and photography. I knew I wanted to be an actress, but I got cold feet and decided to step behind the camera. I had children quite young, and worked in offices and restaurants for a while, slowly dying inside. Haha! So dramatic, I know. But having a photography degree has helped with filmmaking. I have an eye for a good shot. Diana and I realized we both had a knack for it.
Diana: I was an editor and translator most my working life, but Andromeda has a magical way of getting people to do their true calling.
Andromeda: Aww. That’s lovely!
Did you have mentors at HPA?
Diana: Mr. Gazzola was our freshman English teacher. He passed away four years ago, but he was a great teacher. He and Mr. Bryson were really the teachers who launched me into writing.
Andromeda: Mr. Bryson was my guiding star as well. We both like to say that we were each his favorite. His unique ability to make everyone feel heard was something that made him stand out.
Diana: I wanted to study science, and he just said, “You’re not going to study science; you’re going to study English.” He knew! I went to college majoring in Biology but ultimately switched to English.
Do you anticipate working on future projects together again?
Andromeda: Yes. Yes. There’s nothing that can tear me apart from Diana. We have two more features lined up.
What advice would you give to other Ka Makanis out there who are hoping to make films?
Andromeda: Just start making stuff. Grab some people and start making stuff. Don’t wait for the perfect time, because there’s never going to be a perfect time.
Diana: Yes—grab some people! No one can make a film by themselves.
I have to ask: what would you do if you found out you had only two hours left to live?
Andromeda: I would gather as many family members as I can and drink champagne, eat cake and give thanks for the great life I had!
Diana: I’d do the same!
Editor’s note: A shorter version of this article first appeared in the fall 2019 edition of Ma Ke Kula.