The new docuseries Forever Summer: Hamptons premieres on Amazon Prime Video on July 15th. The series follows a group of college adolescents from vastly different backgrounds who all find themselves in the Hamptons for the summer. This coming-of-age docusoap creates a sensory reminiscence for the East End and will have viewers on the edge of their seats as friendships are tested during the chase of a perfect summer.
Executive producer Aaron Rothman spoke about the inspiration behind Forever Summer: Hamptons, the process of creating the series, and what he’s most looking forward to as it hits screens across the world.
What was the inspiration behind Forever Summer: Hamptons?
A: It’s an incredible place to have an idyllic summer where you can turn down the volume of the real world and just be with friends. Lynne Spillman came up with the idea of living/shooting with early 20-somethings in the Hamptons in this way, and she was right on. She is a genius casting director and a really insightful and talented producer as well.
How important is the Hamptons setting to the story?
A: It’s a perfect backdrop for this story.
What has your experience of the Hamptons been like and how did it help influence the production?
A: I, personally, love the Hamptons and have spent summers here with family and friends. Going as both shares with my then girlfriend, now wife, and renting homes with my whole family for summers. It was about making sure our producers could see how special a place it is and use that as inspiration.
What was the process of making this series like?
A: We found some friends and corresponding friend groups and followed them for a summer starting right before July 4.
Do you have a favorite part of the series?
A: There are some great scenes between friends, being great friends to one another that have really stayed with me. (A few where they are not great friends to one another) I don’t want to give it away but, in the end, I hope you’ll like these guys a lot.
It seems like the series might contain some lessons for teens. Is that accurate? And what sort of themes run through the story?
A: Not really lessons. Certainly not intentionally. Do they have conversations that feel topical and deal with issues everyone is thinking about? Yes. Fun dating stories, summer love and friendship? Yes.
What does it mean to you to have the series premiering on Prime Video?
A: It’s incredible. They are an incredibly supportive partner.
How much of the story is fact versus fiction?
A: Nothing was scripted.
What are you most looking forward to about the premiere?
A: Finally getting to show the world a series I’m really proud of.
What do you hope viewers take away from this story?
A: That these 20-somethings aren’t doing this because they are selling anything. This is who they are. They are in the time in life right before everything is about to change but they still get one last summer.
Is there anything else you’d like readers to know about Forever Summer: Hamptons?
A: We loved shooting in the Hamptons, hope we were able to capture some of the magic, and hope that is reflected on screen.
Whether you’re local, a regular Hamptons visitor, a part-timer, or anything in between, this is a series you won’t want to miss this summer! Be sure to tune into Amazon Prime Video this July and be captivated by the exclusive setting we all love while it serves as a backdrop for a truly relatable story.
