Spin Me Round (Feature Film)

Spin Me Round is an American dark romcom co-written by Jeff Baena and Alison Brie and directed by Baena. It was released on August 19, 2022, by IFC Films in theaters and by AMC+ on video on demand.

The story essentially follows Amber (played by Alison Brie), the manager of an American chain restaurant in Bakersfield, California, who wins an all-expenses-paid special training program in Italy with a chance to meet the franchise’s wealthy and charismatic owner Nick. Her head swims with dreams of European glamour and romance, but the trip turns out very differently, and Amber soon finds herself juggling mundane training exercises, an unexpected love triangle, and an alarming conspiracy.

Part of the humour of the film derives from the contrast between the romantic dream and the disappointing reality that Amber discovers. So, the challenge for Fabio Di Segni as Location Manager was two-fold: to get stunning locations to match the gorgeous ideal of Italy, right next to the depressing reality of modern-day life. And all within less than an hour’s drive from the crew and cast accommodation!

The section of the film shot in Italy opens at Pisa airport, so all the locations from there on needed to be close by. Two beautiful 15^th century villas had to be a short drive from the airport, set in graceful gardens and decorated with frescoed interiors. But the first big disappointment, and comedic turn in the film, comes when Amber and her fellow restaurant managers discover that far from staying in the villa they are to be housed in a tacky 70’s motel just within sight of the gorgeous home of the rich proprietor, Nick. Fabio found all the locations in the Pisa area within an hour’s drive of each other and negotiated access and film permits, including that for Pisa airport.

Other scenes included a romantic sailing trip on a luxury yacht (La Spezia), a shopping trip (in Pistoia), a disco scene in an underground location in Lucca, and a night-time vespa drive around Lucca to double as Modena with a restaurant nearby that could double as the Bakersfield, California location.

As Location Manager, Fabio Di Segni researched, scouted and negotiated access to all the locations, provided production services, and organized crew and cast transportation, catering and accommodation for 90+ people. 

Spin Me Round is a visual feast of gorgeous film locations and comedic contrasts and is available to view on Netflix.