JUMPING AT SHADOWS: FORSAKEN FATHER, 40min., Australia
Directed by Locky Boaretto
Charlotte’s 18th birthday takes a dark turn when Agent Nixon arrives with shocking revelations about her past and his true reasons for hunting aliens. When a desperate attempt to change history unleashes catastrophic consequences, Locky and Jett are thrown into a terrifying alternate future where humanity faces extinction, and must find a way to undo the damage, before it’s too late!
Get to know the filmmaker:
1. What motivated you to make this film?
I wanted to continue expanding the Jumping at Shadows universe while telling a darker and more personal story. The main theme of the film is that vengeance has consequences. I wanted to explore what happens when characters allow anger, resentment, and a desire for revenge to influence their decisions, and how those choices can affect not only themselves but the people around them.
The film was heavily inspired by Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Back to the Future Part II. I was particularly interested in the darker tone and personal conflicts of The Empire Strikes Back, as well as the way Back to the Future Part II revisits and expands upon events from previous movies. I wanted Forsaken Father to similarly build upon the established Jumping at Shadows universe while taking the characters and story into darker territory.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Around 1 year.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Sci-Fi Thriller.
4. What was the greatest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The biggest obstacle was working with a limited budget and resources. As an independent filmmaker, I had to be creative with what was available to me while still trying to make the film feel ambitious and cinematic. Balancing the scale of the story with the practical limitations of an independent production was definitely one of the biggest challenges.
5. There are 5 stages of the filmmaking process: Development, Pre-Production, Production, Post-Production, Distribution. What is your favorite stage of the filmmaking process?
Production is probably my favorite stage because it’s when the ideas that have existed in your head and on the page finally become something tangible. There’s something really exciting about seeing the characters, environments, performances, and story come together and watching the film actually take shape.
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I realized I wanted to make films when I first saw Star Wars: The Force Awakens in theaters back in December 2015. Seeing a huge cinematic world on the big screen made me want to create my own stories and eventually make movies myself.
7. What film have you seen the most times in your life?
Star Wars: A New Hope. It’s one of the biggest inspirations behind my approach to storytelling and my love for cinematic adventure.
8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?
I’d love to collaborate with filmmakers such as George Lucas or James Cameron. Both have an incredible ability to create ambitious cinematic worlds while combining them with memorable characters and compelling stories. I’d also love to work with actors and composers who are passionate about creating something original and cinematic.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the festival platform site?
My experience with FilmFreeway has been very good. It makes it much easier for independent filmmakers to submit their work directly to festivals around the world without needing another intermediary. It’s a really useful platform for getting your film in front of festivals and discovering opportunities as an independent creator.
10. What is your favorite meal?
Sushi.
11. What is next for you? A new film?
Yes. The next film I’ll be working on is Jumping at Shadows: Forsaken Father – (Part 2), which will be the concluding chapter of the entire Jumping at Shadows saga. It will bring the story and its characters to their ultimate conclusion while tying together the events and themes that have been developed throughout the saga. I’m excited to bring this long-running story to an end and give the Jumping at Shadows universe the conclusion it deserves.
