Alexander Emmert viewed numerous films and television shows from the 1950s, and to emulate the common body type of that era dropped 28 pounds/13 kilograms from 200lbs/91kgs to 172lbs/78kgs.
Several scenes in the film are shot as staged set pieces, as a homage to the theatre and teleplays of the '50s, and as a metaphor which signifies the characters' lives within those performing art forms.
The original ten page short play was written by the writer/director's mother, Christine Emmert, and had only three characters; Franz, Marion, and Brad. Alexander Emmert expanded the context and characters and created a "play within the play" (which takes place during the French Revolution) in his longer adapted version.