EDGE Interview: How Newbie Directors Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. Got it Right with 'Mean Girls'

EDGE: And each of you have a favorite moment from the original "Mean Girls."

Samantha Jayne: I was thinking about this the other day... it's something so cathartic. Like the teen girl rage when Janice just totally rips Katie a new one outside of Katie's party. It's just like she said, all the things that we all wish we could say. And it's just so raw, and then being able to translate that into this very raw live song that she does. It's just a very raw teen girl, hormonal, emotional moment, but I really appreciate [it].

Arturo Perez Jr.: Mine's when she gets hit by a bus. And that is why our bus had to be different. And from the beginning when we pitched the one-takes sequence to Tina, it felt right. And she was like, also, like, "Oh, it'll also be great, because no one will expect the bus, you know."

Samantha Jayne: I just remember as I was sitting in the room, like, working on the sound of the bus hit, and it had to be bigger. We got to a point where we're like, "No, this would kill her, like, perfect."

EDGE: And then lastly, you know, 20 years later, why does this story still matter? And has the message changed at all?

Samantha Jayne: I think what's beautiful is the message is the same message. I hope in the future kids continue to take in this message that young women, in particular, and young people [in general] should lift each other up, instead of tearing each other down. And even if you don't agree with another person's views, like, there's no need to ruin their life or destroy them. Just be, like, "That's you, I respect that, but I have my own." It's hard to do that in high school when you're trying to fit in. Especially amongst girls, it can be very tricky. But it's it's a really, really important message. And I think it's just as important now as it as it was then.

Arturo Perez Jr.: Totally. Coexistence is just so important. We're all the same. Let's just learn to live together.

"Mean Girls" is currently in general release. It is also available to stream. For more information, visit the film's website

For more on Arturo Perez Jr. and Samantha Jayne, visit the WTP Pictures website.