by John Wildman, AFI FEST Daily News

Julie Stevens and Gil Cates Jr., co-directors of LIFE AFTER TOMORROW, screening at AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi.

LIFE AFTER TOMORROW, a documentary by Julie Stevens and Gil Cates Jr., asks, "What was it like to be Annie?" and, "Whatever happened to all of those girls after they grew up?"

The exploration into the subject by Stevens (a former Orphan) and Cates Jr. definitively illustrates the Annie experience, leaving no question unanswered, but finding empathy and common ground with each woman.

LIFE AFTER TOMORROW screens Saturday November 11, 6:45 PM, and Sunday November 12, 3:30 PM, at AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi.

1. What surprised you the most about the common experience of being a former Annie or Orphan?

Julie Stevens: I think we all thought we were alone in how we felt or what we experienced both during and after the show. Most of us were just so used to not talking about it, because when we were younger, we would be teased or made to feel bad about it. What surprised me and many of the women was how cathartic is was to talk about what we went through and how nice it was to finally be in a group of people who understood.

Gil Cates Jr.: Regardless of the role you played, you still had to exhibit the same dedication whether you had a big part or a smaller one. And they all had similar experiences off stage as well as on.

2. What is the best thing about having your film at AFI FEST?

Julie: AFI is a fabulous festival and an opportunity for the film to be seen by people in the industry. Los Angeles is also my home, so it's great to screen at the ArcLight and be able to invite friends and family.

Gil: Knowing that smart filmmakers and audiences will be seeing the film and the prestige that comes along with the being a part of this festival.

3. Did the direction of the film change at all from the original intention once you began to do the interviews with the women?

Girls from LIFE AFTER TOMORROW.

Julie: Not really. The beauty of making a documentary is that you can shoot a lot and craft the story in the editing room. I think I had a pretty clear idea of the direction and story I wanted to tell, but there was never a guarantee that the people interviewed would support that point of view. It became pretty clear after the second or third interview that we were on the right track and would be able to tell a compelling story.

Gil: Only slightly. We knew we were in for some interesting stories, but as we started to conduct the interviews, we became more selective with the questions we asked.

4. What should a director do that they never think of until it's almost too late?

Julie: In the case of a documentary or any film where you are thinking of using archival footage, make sure to check how much it's going to cost to license the footage for all markets - theatrical, TV and DVD - before you incorporate it in the film and become attached to it. Big lesson learned.

Gil: Take a few days away from your film before you lock picture.

5. Have you ever sung "It's a Hard Knock Life" while doing chores around the house?

Julie: Well, no, can't say that I have. However, I used to be a nanny and would sing "Maybe" to the children to help them fall asleep.

Gil: More times than I'm willing to admit.

6. What's the most underrated job on the set?

Julie: In the case of our film (5-6 person crew), it would be the person (me) who distracted the interview subject from the chaos and mess being created in their home while the crew was setting up the film equipment and lights. That same person (me) also tried to comfort the interview subject and put them at ease so that they would not freeze in front of the camera during the interview.

Gil: Craft services.

7. Any thought to doing a sequel where you only interview former Sandys?

Julie: Unfortunately, a dog's life is much shorter than an orphans and all of the dogs are dead. People have suggested doing a sequel where we only interview the stage moms, but would anyone really want to see that?

Gil: If only dogs could talk...

8. What was the last film that made you cry? Laugh out loud?

Julie: MARCH OF THE PENGUINS made me cry. I'm a sap when it comes to dead baby animals. I laughed during LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE.

Gil: THE DEPARTED. Not that it was sad, but now I have to wait a few more years for another Scorsese film. I'm seeing MAN OF THE YEAR tonight. So, I'm hoping that makes me laugh out loud.

9. Most likely to become a stage mom - former Annie or former Orphan?

Julie: Probably former orphan because many of us wanted to play Annie and probably have some unfulfilled dreams about that, so we're more likely to want our kids to get the lead role. The girls who played Annie know how much pressure and expectation is involved and might be less likely to wish that on their child.

Gil: Both.

10. Popcorn or candy?

Julie: Anything chocolate!

Gil: Candy. Unless it's the ArcLight. Then the caramel popcorn, of course.