Caroline Klidonas and Ann Marie Wilding Dish on New WLW Rom-Com, Stalling

There’s no shortage of content creators nowadays, so it’s special when one pursues new creative heights. It’s even better when that leveling up involves much-needed representation. Case in point: in early June, content creator Caroline Klidonas announced plans to develop a sapphic short film called Stalling, about two women connecting when they are cheated on by the same man.

In announcing the project, Klidonas and collaborator Ann Marie Wilding pitched Stalling as a fresh “queer chaos” take on an old rom-com trope. Instead of two wronged women becoming enemies over a man or teaming up just for revenge, they fall for each other.

Klidonas (who identifies as queer) plays the “mistress,” Alex, a nightlife aficionado who oozes swagger and chaos but avoids intimacy. Wilding plays the cheater’s girlfriend Julie, an ambitious and earnest perfectionist. 

“Their meet-cute is messy,” Klidonas told Tagg Magazine in a late August interview. “Julie is heartbroken, Alex is downplaying how emotionally [the situation] has affected her…[but] there’s this instant chemistry.”

Klidonas and Wilding cite Shiva Baby, Set it Up, and What If as some influences for Stalling. But Stalling is unique in its queerness—and its odd meet-cute setting: A bar bathroom. 

Center, Director Jasia Ka. From Left, Actors Ann Marie Wilding, Caroline Klidonas, Nicole Daniels
Photo: Elisa Ivers

This setting appealed to Klidonas and Wilding because women connect in many ways in a bar bathroom. They befriend strangers, help each other with wardrobe adjustments, take photos, cry or laugh together, and sometimes a little more…

“There’s so much intimacy and closeness in that environment,” said Klidonas. “So that’s also where queer chaos comes in…being like ‘is this just the environment we’re in or [are there feelings].’ That’s gonna be something really fun to play with.”

However, instead of Alex and Julie immediately exploring their chemistry, they meet annually in that bathroom, their bond evolving over time. Klidonas and Wilding chose that approach partly because they enjoy slow burns—“earning a dynamic between two characters.”

That reflects the creators’ real-life friendship, as Klidonas and Wilding met years ago, acting in outdoor productions of Shakespeare. They have remained friends but professionally diverged. Wilding starred in a stage production of Venus in Fur at the Whitmore Lindley Theatre, and writes for film, theater, and television. Klidonas has amassed a substantial social media following with an Instagram/TikTok video series called “Rune” and videos in which she satirizes tropes—e.g., enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, and too-cool bartenders. She also starred in the short film Carbon Dating, among other projects.

From left, Actors and Writers Caroline Klidonas and Ann Marie Wilding
Photo: Elisa Ivers

When Klidonas told Wilding about her initial idea for what became Stalling, Wilding was immediately interested, and the two agreed to collaborate on the project. Once Klidonas completed an outline, Wilding set to work on a first draft. Along with liking the story concept itself and being excited to work with Klidonas, Wilding welcomed the experience of co-writing and producing a project—particularly, the creative control those roles entail. “It’s empowering and extremely vulnerable at the same time,” said Wilding. “[But]…sharing something that matters to you should always be a little scary.”

Expressing a similar sentiment, Klidonas noted that with the limited characters presented in traditional acting opportunities, it’s only through her content creation that she’s been able to fully express herself. Alex is an extension of that. “Without [my social media videos], I might never have imagined a character like Alex for me to play,” said Klidonas. “It’s also very tied into my queer identity as well. That’s such its own discovery process—lifelong…[so] I’m super excited to portray [Alex].”

After the friends collaboratively finalized the script, they began assembling a team: director Jasia Ka (who directed Carbon Dating, and Girls Aren’t Funny), executive producer Eli Ash, and executive / line producer Brooks Malberg. Then, the duo launched a 30-day fundraising campaign on social media. They offered incentives such as early viewing access, autographed prints, and participation in one of Klidonas’s videos. To their surprise and delight, the campaign was 72 percent funded in less than 15 days, ultimately earning $36,325. 

Following the campaign, the women fleshed out the team, including hiring Jamie McGuire as a production designer and Ava Rikki as director of photography. With all the pieces assembled by late September, it was time to shoot the film. As of October, Stalling now sits in the post-production stage. On the horizon: the team plans to submit Stalling to festivals, and there’s been talk of feature film potential. 

From left, Director Jasia Ka and Actor/Writer Ann Marie Wilding
Photo: Elisa Ivers

But for now, Wilding said they’re focused on making a great short film. “It’s been a long development process…and I’m just really proud of it,” said Wilding. “I am so grateful and so excited to make this.”

Added Klidonas: “It feels like a really huge privilege to be able to make [Stalling] happen… I can’t wait to share it with everyone.”