Interview with Robert Shaffer Jr.
Words by Chandler Christopher
-February 27th, 2024-
In this Happen Twice interview, we had the pleasure of speaking with Robert Shaffer Jr., a versatile filmmaker currently based in Los Angeles, California. Originally hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, Robert has carved out a niche for himself in the realm of cinema, blending his innate storytelling abilities with a keen visual sensibility.
His latest cinematic endeavor, “OrganicMeet,” serves as a poignant exploration of contemporary romance and the quest for meaningful connection in an increasingly digital world. Set against the backdrop of a grocery store, the film follows the journey of a young woman grappling with existential dread as she embarks on a quest to find her soulmate through an unconventional matchmaking service.
Drawing from personal experiences and observations, Robert’s directorial vision is underscored by a desire to challenge societal norms and expectations surrounding romantic love. Through “OrganicMeet,” he endeavors to dissect the complexities of modern dating culture and highlight the transformative power of self-discovery amidst the chaos of romantic pursuits.
Robert’s extensive background in filmmaking spans across continents, from studying at the renowned Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) in Prague to establishing a successful production company in Austin, Texas. Armed with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film from Syracuse University, his creative journey has been characterized by a relentless pursuit of authenticity and innovation.
As we delve deeper into our conversation with Robert Shaffer Jr, we uncover the inspirations, challenges, and insights that have shaped his artistic trajectory, culminating in the creation of “OrganicMeet” – a cinematic testament to the complexities of love and human connection in the 21st century.
HAPPEN TWICE: Thank you for joining us today. Let’s start by discussing your background. How old are you currently, and could you tell us about your education?
Robert Shaffer Jr: Yes certainly, thank you for having me. I’m 23 and a recent graduate of Syracuse University where I received my BFA in Film from the College of Visual and Performing Arts. I also studied cinematography at FAMU, a renowned film academy in Prague, for a semester-intensive program.
HAPPEN TWICE: Your film “OrganicMeet” seems to explore the challenges of finding love in the age of social media and dating apps. What inspired the concept for this film?
Robert Shaffer Jr: I’m incredibly fixated on how technology and, more specifically, social media have changed how people meet and interact nowadays. And, at the time of writing OrganicMeet, I was interested in telling a love story that didn’t necessarily preach about this ‘perfect romantic love’ we often see saturated in countless other films. So while ideating on that, I remembered this meet cute story gone wrong my mom told me once. Back in the 2000s, before dating apps were even a thing, she tried to ‘organically meet’ someone at our local grocery store while participating in this hush-hush weekly phenomenon that took place called “singles night.” How it worked was, for an hour or so every Thursday, single hopefuls would mix in with the regular shoppers, except instead of shopping, they would simply put a watermelon in their cart. A token to signify they too were ‘on the market,’ if you will. I always thought the visual was hilarious, shuffling through cart after cart, judging shoppers as if they could be the one. It curiously mirrored the way swiping works now with modern dating apps. Then I thought: what would it look like if someone were to commercialize this concept into a bigger, new-age dating app? A subscription service people could sign up for at their local grocery stores, almost like how Amazon Prime members swipe into Whole Foods and receive special benefits. The first in-person dating app, of sorts? OrganicMeet was born.
HAPPEN TWICE: The protagonist’s journey in the film seems deeply personal. Can you elaborate on the character’s development and how it relates to your own experiences?
Robert Shaffer Jr: Absolutely. OrganicMeet speaks to my own insecurities about finding a ‘soulmate’ and fitting into traditional molds of romance that have been established before me. As I get older in my twenties, more and more I feel this overwhelming pressure to be an adult and to figure out the rest of my life. And in that, the pressure to find a partner to spend the rest of my life with as well. I know this is an urge I share with others too. It’s a false thought to young minds: the irony of being in your twenties and feeling like you’re running out of time. I try to embody this urge in our protagonist, Renée, who feels lost in her current situation and that the answer to her problems might be a romantic partner. But as her story progresses, we come to find that as messy, confusing, and painful as the search for love can be, it can also be deeply transformative and rewarding in our own self-discovery.
HAPPEN TWICE: Making a living in the film industry can be challenging. Can you share your insights on this aspect of your career and your approach to sustaining yourself as a filmmaker?
Robert Shaffer Jr: You’re right, it sure is challenging, and I feel that it can tend to be the elephant in the room sometimes when speaking with filmmakers just getting their start. There’s not an easy answer to this one, otherwise, if there was, everybody would be doing it. But when I am asked this question, I always think of a saying I was once told by another filmmaker I admire: “Make more money to make more art, not the other way around.” I firmly believe in that, and I think it’s an integral value to hold if you want to make authentic, original work. To be direct, though, I’ve personally been able to supplement my filmmaking career with jobs on the side and freelance, for-hire gigs over the past several years. It also doesn’t hurt to have as many friends as possible in your corner. You can work together on each other’s stuff for free and make things happen – building a community is one of the most important parts of it all.
HAPPEN TWICE: What were some of the most challenging aspects of creating “Organic Meet,” and how did you overcome them?
Robert Shaffer Jr: I mean how much time do I have? When working with a microbudget like we were, there are always countless challenges that are going to arise. I’d say the last shot of the movie comes to mind first. We took two days to travel to Acadia National Park and camp out of my car in the middle of the offseason just so we could summit Cadillac Mountain at 4am and make a 15-minute light window at the peak for one shot. It was a lot for one shot, but worth it. On a greater scope, we faced numerous conflicts in losing locations, scheduling mishaps, finding extras… If you get down to brass tacks, most of indie filmmaking is really just problem-solving, and how good you are at it can make or break a project.
HAPPEN TWICE: Finally, what do you hope audiences take away from “OrganicMeet,” and what are your personal aspirations for the film?
Robert Shaffer Jr: I hope audiences find humor in the film’s satire of modern dating culture and that viewers relate to our protagonist, Renée, played by the lovely Tenzing Kalden, as she navigates the dating world of OrganicMeet. ] As for my personal aspirations for the film, I just hope for it to get in front of as many people as possible.
