Electronic Press Kit - About What's So Funny?

About the Production
In the spring of 2003, producer/director Sandra Longo embarked on making her first film, intended to be a feature length documentary following the lives of four college friends who moved to New York City to pursue careers in the entertainment industry. After several months of shooting, the circumstances emerging in one subject's life began to overshadow the others- an initial review of the footage left no doubt that Jessica Fischer's story begged for a film all it's own. Though already well aware of Jessie's dramatic weight loss from the outset of production, after filming one of her stand-up performances and witnessing her reaction to it in the days that followed, it was obvious things were heading in a new direction- for Jess personally and, as a result, for the film. What's So Funny? became an exploration into the emotional complexities Jessie experienced, as she was literally reborn in her new physique. While heartbreaking at times to hear her about her struggles, both heavy and thin, Jessie's consistent desire and courage to come to grips with her new life was a privilege to witness and hopefully an inspiration to others. In the end, the purpose of this film is to communicate that there is much more involved in drastic weight loss than the glamorized before and after photos portrayed on magazine covers. For some it truly is all that they hoped it would be, but for others, like Jessie, it is only the first step in a journey towards self-acceptance.
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About the Production

In the spring of 2003, producer/director Sandra Longo embarked on making her first film, intended to be a feature length documentary following the lives of four college friends who moved to New York City to pursue careers in the entertainment industry. After several months of shooting, the circumstances emerging in one subject's life began to overshadow the others- an initial review of the footage left no doubt that Jessica Fischer's story begged for a film all it's own.

Though already well aware of Jessie's dramatic weight loss from the outset of production, after filming one of her stand-up performances and witnessing her reaction to it in the days that followed, it was obvious things were heading in a new direction- for Jess personally and, as a result, for the film. What's So Funny? became an exploration into the emotional complexities Jessie experienced, as she was literally reborn in her new physique.

While heartbreaking at times to hear her about her struggles, both heavy and thin, Jessie's consistent desire and courage to come to grips with her new life was a privilege to witness and hopefully an inspiration to others. In the end, the purpose of this film is to communicate that there is much more involved in drastic weight loss than the glamorized before and after photos portrayed on magazine covers. For some it truly is all that they hoped it would be, but for others, like Jessie, it is only the first step in a journey towards self-acceptance.

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