The Interrogation, 5min., USA

Directed by Kyle Riggs, Dylan Lighthall

A Russian mob interrogation goes awry when an over-eager enforcer tries to pitch in, but can’t get his mind out of the gutter.

www.instagram.com/riggseyyy

www.instagram.com/dylanlighthall

Subscribe to the podcast:

Tweets by wildsoundpod

https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/

https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Maria Djurkovic is one of the most talented Production Designers in the industry today. She has created a multitude of worlds in many critically acclaimed movies and TV shows, including: Sliding Doors (1998), Billy Elliot (2000), The Hours (2002), Mamma Mia! (2008), Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), and Gold (2017).

Matthew Toffolo: Is there a film or two that you’re most proud of?

Maria Djurkovic: Yes – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

I also was very pleased with The Invisible Woman. I dont think you can tell we had a very small budget.

PHOTO: Still from the film”The Invisible Woman” (Director Ralph Fiennes)

MT: What is a director looking for in a Production Designer?

MD: I am certain each director is looking for something different. Wes Anderson will be looking for very different qualities in a designer than Ken Loach.

Advertisement

MT: What is a Production Designer looking for in a director?

MD: I am certain that everyone is different. I like to work with directors for whom visuals are very important. This may seem obvious in such a visual medium as filmmaking, but believe me it isn’t.

I will meet a director for a job with a very clear idea of how I see their film. I actually like to stick my neck out, because I really don’t want to spend the next 6 to 9 months arguing. If a director likes my ideas I will get the job. If they don’t, or if they are not looking for an opinionated designer, I won’t.

The best working relationships for me are the very collaborative ones. Tomas Alfredson is my dream director. We practically finish off each other’s sentences. I enjoy working with directors who are unafraid of bold visuals and who dont get caught up in stuff that actually doesn’t matter. Those who are comfortable cheating locations and are not too literal.

Obviously the material they are wanting to direct has to be good and I have to like their work.

A sense of humor is hugely important to me. We will spend hours and hours in cars, looking at locations. We need to get on.

MT: You were nominated for an Oscar for The Imitation Game (2014). How was the Oscar experience? You didn’t win, but is it just as good being nominated? Or, did you really want to win!?

MD: It was crazy from beginning to end. I knew I would not win because I was up against “The Grand Budapest Hotel” that year. Knowing that I wouldnt win actually made the eremony much more relaxing. The year I was nominated for a BAFTA for “Tinker” I was a nervous wreck during the ceremony and had an anaphylactic shock during the dinner.

I was working in Boston in the coldest recorded east coast winter when I heard about my nomination. I had one Saturday to find a dress. Flew to LA one weekend for the nominees luncheon, the following weekend to London for the BAFTAS and the one after for the actual Oscars.

I was tired and jet lagged but the whole experience was quite extraordinary, and i am thrilled to have had it. Hair/ Make-up / the biggest celeb count on the planet, all huge fun.

PHOTO: Still from the movie “The Imitation Game” Directed by Morten Tyldum:

MT: How early do you come into pre-production before shooting starts? When do your hire and bring on the rest of your key team members?

MD: I come on board very early, normally after the producer and director. The amount of prep I get varies from project to project. Anything from 10 to an incredibly generous 24 weeks I have had on the movie I am working on right now. The Art Dept. has a massive pyramidal structure and I try to secure my supervising art director and set decorator as soon as i am allowed, everyone else follows.

MT: What film, besides the ones you’ve worked on, have you watched the most times in your life?

MD: Probably Kusturica’s films.

MT: Do you have a Production Designer mentor?

MD: No

MT: Do you have any advice to kids currently in high school or in university who want to be a Production Designer?

MD: Be prepared to work insanely hard, be a monomaniac and really want to do it. Take every opportunity and be persistent. Be prepared to take knocks. Keep immersing yourself in visual culture, refresh your resources. I am always shocked how ignorant many students are about period. Period knowledge should run in your veins

MT: Where did you grow up? How did you get into the film industry? Was this something you always wanted to do?

MD: I grew up in Harrow, wanted to be a Production Designer from about the age of 8 – this is the Monomania I was talking about. Made period clothes for my Barbie dolls and loved going to the v& more than anywhere else.

My dad was an art director and hated the idea of me following in his footsteps. Said that the film industry was full of shits. He was right, but I persisted.

Studied fine art at Oxford. Did a post grad course in theatre design. Started at the BBC the day after I graduated. Stayed there for 3 years before I went freelance, built up my career step by step alternating between set decorating bigger films and designing small TV things and working my way up. I designed my first film in 1995…..

_____

Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK DAILY Festival held online and in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Immersed – A Cinematic Immersive Album by Justin Gray, 60min,. Canada

Directed by Justin Gray, Michael Fisher

Justin Gray’s Immersed is a groundbreaking cinematic album that transforms how audiences experience music. Composed, recorded, and produced as an immersive audio experience, the album features 38 artists from Toronto and around the globe, placing listeners at the center of a three-dimensional global orchestra.

https://www.instagram.com/justingraysound/

Review by  Julie C. Sheppard:

A bright, articulate opening monologue by Justin Gray, the mastermind behind this film Immersed, reveals how satisfying it can be to be completely engulfed in and surrounded by the arts. Given this heartfelt preamble, viewers are tipped off that they are in for a real treat.

The film’s structure is well framed with a series of section titles that help shed light about the tone of each of the upcoming musical interludes. The title Flow, for example, is apt in that we are presented a smooth, well-edited section — we are gracefully introduced to the work of several talented musicians who will be guiding us through the piece, such as the guitar of Justin to others on percussion, brass, vocals, keyboard and strings. Repose is a gorgeous meditative section with singing bowls, and the motif of Indian classical music and movement. The use of household items for foley sound effects in the section Tapestry is highly entertaining, as is the fine dance choreography enhanced with various fabrics and lighting, and upbeat, jazzy phrasing. The section called The River’s Edge utilizes striking indigenous movement with gorgeous winter vistas. Joyful, lively refrains come from the section called Orion’s Belt. Pendulum is a section full of rhythm and sensuality and, finally, the section entitled Illuminate blends images of waterfalls and butterflies with soaring violin and other orchestral groups.

The camera comes in close throughout and shows the skill of these artists and captures their heightened emotions when performing this dynamic piece. It is truly inspiring to hear from many of these people who have shared their talents. The extensive credit list alone displays the fierce commitment to this massive undertaking – artists, technicians and producers, all seeking to connect with a cinematic audience, while allowing viewers to immerse themselves in a feast of sight and sound.  

FREE festival starts at 8pm EST tonight at http://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Watch the festival here: https://festivalreviews.org/2025/06/24/watch-todays-free-film-festival-winning-sci-fi-feature-fillm-reuniverse/

Feature Film Winner from the BLACK Feedback Film Festival.

Afeni shakur and the trial of the Panther 21, 70min., USA
Directed by Ray Barron- Woolford FRSA
The Untold inspired story of Afeni Shakur one black woman pregnant with the rap star Tupac, charged with 156 acts of terrorism with no lawyer or legal training fought her corner to be found NOT GUILTY on every charge

https://www.instagram.com/ray_woolford