46 FEBRUARY 2 0 1 7 ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT Images courtesy of Christopher Tedrick Tedrick came up with the concept of a woman finding an anonymous journal on the subway while riding the train himself. “It occurred to me that this could be a great vehicle to address modern dating and the search for perfection, which I think plagues the ‘dating app generation,’” Tedrick said. “I wanted to play with the idea of choice, and the difficulties that arise with an excess of opportunity, which the journal represents.” The romantic movie, which will be released in Europe before being available here in the United States, is filled with such glimpses of western Queens. There’s a nightmare scene filmed at the Secret Theatre in Long Island City; a “Drink and Draw” class shot at Studios LIC; and Irish pub scenes at Kelly’s Bar & Grill on Crescent Street and 31st Avenue. Not only was much of the film shot in Astoria, but it was also largely set in Astoria. April decides to go to Astoria Park as part of her search for the journal's owner. One of the film’s producers found the perfect location for this scene in Ralph Demarco Park, a green space along the East River just north of Astoria Park, with Hell Gate Bridge in the background of the shot. “It’s quieter than Astoria Park,” said Tedrick, a longtime Astoria resident. “It’s much better for a shoot, and you still get these great views.” But even the most devoted Astorians might not believe their eyes while watching a diner scene. Yes, it was filmed at our beloved Queens Comfort, which has been totally transformed for the shoot. Queens Comfort allowed them to shoot on a Monday, when the restaurant was closed, as long as they put everything back when they were finished. “Our set design people had their work cut out for them that day,” Tedrick said. “We took down all of the comic book stuff and all the aliens and figures and tried to transform it into more of an American Southern diner look-wise.” While April is looking for the journal's author, she meets another man: Jared (Jon Fletcher). Her relationship with him gets complicated because she feels so connected to the unknown writer of the journal that it interferes with her actual love life. The interior scenes at Jared’s apartment were shot in Woodside, Tedrick said, while the exterior of his apartment was in Astoria. Toward the end of the movie, April is going into Jared’s apartment building, and she holds the door open for
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