Bionic Buzz interviewed director and writer Carter Ward over Zoom about his latest film Step Back, Doors Closing. We discussed where his passion for filmmaking began, the inspiration behind the film’s love story, the strong on-screen chemistry between stars Reilly Walters and Carmen Berkeley, shooting on location in Washington, DC, and more.
Step Back, Doors Closing is a charming love story between two young adults longing for authentic and emotionally intelligent relationships. Ryan (Reilly Walters) is witty, down-to-earth, and newly single for the first time in four years. Excited for a night out, his plans fall apart when a friend bails at the last minute, prompting him to hop on the DC Metro with the intention of heading home. Julisa (Carmen Berkeley), open-minded but weighed down by self-imposed pressure, is considering dropping out of grad school. After flying from Los Angeles to DC and breaking both her phone and tablet, she boards the Metro unsure of where to go next.
Over the following twenty-four hours, Ryan and Julisa bond as they share their hopes, dreams, and fears. Their courtship feels universal—presenting their most curated selves at first—but as they spend more time together, obstacles begin to chip away at their emotional armor. Slowly but surely, they reveal their true selves and fall in love.
Available on VOD March 17th
Connect: https://stepbackdoorsclosing.com/
Interview and video edited by Steve Sievers of Bionic Buzz®