Kierston Drier

Kickstarter Interview: Ryan Oswald (WHEN THE GODS TREMBLED Short Film)

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when the gods trembled

Make a donation on the short film: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/371602595/when-the-gods-trembled

Interview by Kierston Drier

  1. Tell me a little about yourself, your background and your work as a filmmaker/creator.

 My name is Ryan Oswald. I very first started out as an actor when I was about 12 years old. I landed a few smaller roles in indie films at the time in LA, and then transitioned to mostly theater acting throughout high school. I fell in love with the ability to express and share stories in different ways and film making gives you should a wide array of opportunities to do just that. My friends and business partners ended up meeting me here in Idaho several years later after graduating film school and we saw the opportunity to start working on the projects we wanted to work on. To tell the stories we wanted to tell. I started out as an assistant director on most projects, with a few stints since as a script supervisor, and so on. This is my first project as the Director, and I am loving every minute of bringing this story to life.

  1. Let’s talk about your project! What is your Short about?  

My short film, When The Gods Trembled, is a short – silent film. The story follows two soul mates from a world long before our own, when gods like Zeus roamed the earth. Our two protagonists lead passionate and free lives together, until an angry Zeus has had enough. He curses them, and all humans, by separating them to the far ends of the earth, making life this search for your missing half. The story picks up during this time frame and then follows the two women through different iterations of time. From a prehistoric time frame to the 1920s prohibition, to modern day on their search for their missing half.

3.Tell me about the origins of your project? What was it born out of? What inspired you to create it?

 I was inspired to tell this story originally many years ago. When I was in 7 – 8th grade I was took Latin and courses on Greek and Roman mythology. I loved it and was fascinated by the stories they would tell, they would they would explain the world through these very elaborate and winding stories. I read the symposium by Plato, and in it he uses different characters to debate and explain the origin and meaning of love. The one that stood out to me, and if anyone is familiar it’s probably the one they have heard of before, that humans were once physically connected one to another, making one whole human. Soulmate to soulmate. I loved this idea and the imagery and symbolism it represents and wanted to see what would happen if I were to introduce characters to this world. When The Gods Trembled is the result of that idea.

  1. What about your upcoming film really excites you?

I am really excited to finish the project first off. I first wrote the story about two years ago, we began filming a little over a year ago, and now have just the final scene to produce. I am most excited about the period we are shooting this scene in. I love the 1920s and am very excited to be working in that time period on this story, and I’m excited to show it off.

  1. You are running a Kickstarter right now, correct? What are the basic details?

We are running a kickstarter campaign right now. It has 7 days to go as of writing this piece on September 7th, 2017. The basic details are this; we are shooting the final scene we need to finish making this film. The scene takes place in the 1920s during prohibition in a speak easy – jazz club. To make this scene come out looking like its in the 1920’s and not a costume party gone wrong, we need to put 20 extras, 7 band members, 5 featured extras and our 2 cast members in period appropriate costuming. We also need lights and set decor to bring it all together, and all of these things cost money, even with all of the generous folks helping us along the way.

  1.  What will the funds you raise go towards?

The funds specifically will go towards: costuming, lights, hair and make up, props, lights, and a gimbal we need to pull off some of the shots on my shot list.

  1.  What are some of the rewards you can get through funding it?

There are several fun rewards you can get through our kickstarter, but some of my personal favorites are; a one of a kind transfer art piece made by Cochina Transfers of the cover art and it’s the only one like it in the world. Backers can also get a handmade replica of the bracelet worn in the movie in beautiful wood carvings, t-shirts with different cover art options, tickets to the live premier, and every backer – big or small will get a personal thank you video live from set!

  1.   Tell me why you think everyone needs to check out your film?

Everyone should check out When The Gods Trembled because it tells the story of enduring love throughout the ages. This story hits a nerve deep inside all of us, I believe, that we all ultimately hope there is that one perfect soulmate, that missing half out there and what we might do to find and hold onto it if we ever found it ourselves.

  1.  Tell me some inside scoops- have any wonderful anecdotes come out of your short so far? Fun facts? Fun stories?

We have had a blast making this project all the way through. I have such an amazing team of people around me that I love working with, cast and crew, that it’s hard not to have fun working with them. I could tell several stories about funny things or even misadventures along the way so far, but I will tell you my favorite so far. We were shooting on location outside of Garden Valley, Idaho out in the woods and rivers. This beautiful and rugged terrain. The cast and crew camped near our shooting locations for four days while we were doing the first round of shooting. We were walking Josh, the actor who plays Zeus, down the river to his first location while in his full costume and makeup. We decided to bring along a few sidearms with us for safety since this is definitely grey wolf territory. So here is Josh dressed up in full costume looking like Zeus, 3 crew members and myself all with holstered guns and a camera walking down the path, and here comes this family complete with mom, dad and little girls all coming back from the hot springs that walk right past us. We couldn’t help but laugh as they walked by just thinking at what a sight we all made, Zeus and his body guards carrying a camera and gear to the hot springs. I hope they see the short some day and have a great laugh realizing they saw us out there and this is what we were working on.  

  1. What is one thing you want to aspiring filmmakers everywhere?

I guess I would still consider myself an aspiring filmmaker to some degree, but if I were to pass along any wisdom to any others out there it would be to surround yourself with people who are talented and hungry to make movies, and go shoot it. Perfect is the enemy of good, and in no budget film making you may need to beg, borrow, and steal your way through every scene but just go do it. I think the rest will come and we all get better with practice, with learning and opportunity, but especially with this business you need to make those opportunities for yourself.

  1. If I wanted to go check out your Kickstarter right now, where would I go?

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/371602595/when-the-gods-trembled?ref=user_menu

 

Kickstarter Interview: Dominic Crisp (ESCORT Short Film)

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Make a donation on the short film here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1326489395/escort-short-film
escort_short_film

Interview by Kierston Drier

  1. Tell me a little about yourself, your background and your work as a filmmaker/creator.

I grew up rurally in Oxfordshire, middle of nowhere with not too much going on. So a lot of time when I was young was about making up stories with friends that we’d play out in the fields, all very picturesque.

At 19 I got in to the Oxford School of Drama, where I trained as an actor for the next four years. During the final year and a half at drama school I started to write for both film and stage, and this summer, having just graduated, I am now able to start producing my own work. This is essentially the first film project that I’m heading, so I’m kind of floundering in the deep end. But that’s good, I’m learning a lot, I believe in this story, and it’s all about taking risks.

  1. Let’s talk about your project! What is your Short about?

SO! This short is taken from a wider feature script that I’m developing, which is about the relationship struck up between a male escort and his female employer. The short charts the developments of their first date, from awkward beginnings to surprising ends

  1. Tell me about the origins of your project?What was it born out of? What inspired you to create it?

So I’d just started my final year at The Oxford School of Drama and I’d moved home for the final two terms, commuting in to the school. I was eating with my mum and dad and we were talking about how I was going to earn money living in London and one of us joked that I could become an escort, that there’d be a fair whack to make out of that. That basically sparked the whole concept, and things moved from there. I now live in London, I’ll let you decide whether you think I followed through on the job idea.

  1. What about your upcoming film really excites you?

When I first started telling people about the idea they kept asking me ‘Oh, have you seen pretty woman?’. I guess what I think is exciting about this film is that it reverses the roles in that film, its not stereotypical. Here we’ve got the female character in complete control and I think that makes for something a little different. I’m really not trying to be a martyr or anything by championing the fact I’m writing a strong female character, that should be the norm. But I do think there’s something really exciting when you put Jo (lead female character) in the drivers seat, where the outcome of a lot of the story is in her hands. I don’t know if I’ve seen that before in this context.

  1. You are running a Kickstarter right now, correct?What are the basic details?

All or nothing. So if I don’t raise the full amount, I get Nada. So a bit stressful. There’s four days left on the campaign so it’s really getting to crunch time.

  1. What will the funds you raise go towards?

All the funds raised will go in to production costs. It will cover travel and food for all cast and crew, enable me to buy some lighting equipment (I’m going for the visuals of Mulholland and the story power of Blue Valentine). It will also pay for a Colourist, who will really make the picture come alive visually in post-production. It will also mean I can get a sound designer on board to compose a score.

  1. What are some of the rewards you can get through funding it? 

There are four different awards

£10  gets you first online viewing of the finished article

£20 gets you a digital copy of the finalized short script

£50 gets you a canvas print of the Escort artwork that heads the Kickstarter page

£200 Just like in the short it gets you a dinner date (within the UK) with me, whether that’s a reward or not you can decide. I’ll be a paying for this one though.

  1. Tell me why you think everyone needs to check out your film?

Because if they don’t they’d regret it for the rest of their life!!!! Ha, no. I think it will tell a really engaging story, that should also look exceptional, and if that’s your cup of tea, get on board.

  1. Tell me some inside scoops- have any wonderful anecdotes come out of your short so far? Fun facts? Fun stories?

If running a Kickstarter has taught me one thing, it’s how to sell yourself to other people. So I guess for this film, that’s pretty apt.

  1. What is one thing you want to aspiring filmmakers everywhere to know?

I guess without trying too sound preachy (as I’m very much an aspiring filmmaker as well) I’d say that you’ve got to believe your own story. It may still fall flat on its face but at least then you know that what you’re doing is honest.

  1. If I wanted to go check out your Kickstarter right now, where would I go?

 

Make a donation on this short film here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1326489395/escort-short-film

Movie Review: DISNEY CARTOON CAMERA (USA, Documentary)

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Played at the August 2017 DOCUMENTARY Short Film Festival

by Kierston Drier

A fascinating look at the history of cartoon cinema, from the early 20th century to present, Disney Cartoon Camera breaks down the cartoons through the technical lenses- literally and metaphorically.

 

Following respected and often renown Disney animators, archivists and technicians, this 30 minute short doc takes us step by step through the detailed and highly nuanced breakdown of creating lush and realistic art. From Snow White to Chicken Little we see the elaborate and innovative technology that makes it all possible. Bright, colorful, nostalgic and beyond fascinating, there is something for everyone in this cartoon-classic doc.

 

Disney Cartoon Camera takes on a far more educational tone that a more story-driven or character-driven doc, but it is nevertheless engaging and captivating. For the movie buff, the young-at-heart or even the cartoon geek, this is a film to watch, savor, learn and enjoy.

DISNEY CARTOON CAMERA, 23min, USA, Documentary
Directed by David BosserDisney Cartoon Camera, hosted by acclaimed historian Leonard Maltin, tracks the history of animation cinematography – from the origins of crude “down shooters” to the first multi-plane camera fashioned out of old car parts, to the latest digital camera capture systems – through the eyes of the camera operators and technicians.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Movie Review: MY NAME IS JOAN (USA, Documentary)

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Played at the August 2017 DOCUMENTARY Short Film Festival

by Kierston Drier

My Name is Joan, packs an exceptional emotional punch. Poignant, compassionate and full of intrigue, it follows a story that is nothing short of scandalous, involving the mother-and-baby homes of the 1920-1980’s in Ireland. We follow Susan Drew, born Joan Fagan to an unwed mother in Dublin and adopted under mysterious circumstance, as she recounts her story of discovering her past. As Susan revels her own history- and that of her mother who lost her daughter in a mother-and-baby home to an overseas adoption, we also uncover the history of illicit adoptions performed through the Catholic church in a time when unwed mothers faced extreme persecution.

 

Untold numbers of women gave birth out of wedlock after the second world war. While the Irish government looked away, those women were sent to Church-run mother-and-baby homes, where they were promised totally anonymity and safety to deliver their babies. What they were not told was that they would be subjected to difficult conditions, poor treatment, neglect and that their children could be taken from them and adopted out- with very little they could do about it.

 

Susan would have been one more unnamed child lost in a sea of murky documentation. That is, if it hadn’t been for one nun who saved and scanned the paperwork of every child she saw under her care- Susan being one of them.

 

My Name Is Joan is an incredible documentary. Susan’s journey being the primary tale, the story still branches out, spider-web like, into the larger scandal. With jaw-dropping statistics and frightening conclusions to be drawn from them, it is incredible that such an event can take place, seemingly under the nose of a country. My Name Is Joan is one woman’s story of finding her past, and changing her future. It is also a story of a nation whose women and children were under siege. A gripping, emotionally ambitious and incredibly moving film.

 

MY NAME IS JOAN, 30min, USA, Documentary
Directed by Margaret Costa

Tells the story of Susan Drew, a woman who was born Joan Fagan to an unwed mother in the St. Patrick Mother and Baby Home in Dublin, Ireland in 1949. While the documentary chronicles Susan’s journey to find her true identity, it also highlights the illegal exporting of children by the Catholic Church to families in other countries for profit while the Irish Government looked the other way.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Movie Review: THE MARCH SWEATER – PART 1: THE CARETAKERS (Canada, LGBT, Documentary)

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Played at the August 2017 DOCUMENTARY Short Film Festival

by Kierston Drier

This special part 1 of March Sweater, follows two seniors, Peter and Vincent, who shared their lives together as a married couple, and become caregivers to Peter’s 95-year-old mother. A fascinating peer into at a community from an often-overlooked angle, Peter and Vincent talk about their lives together and the various lessons they learn through loving each other.

 

From their meeting, to their courtship and through to their marriage of cohabitation, they address the major areas of their world- compromise and sacrifice, but also the love that makes it so very worth it. “I don’t want to think about life without Vincent,” a notable line from Peter that seems to distill the depth of their feelings. For anyone who has ever loved another person, they are, as a couple,  instantly relatable.
This film sparkles. Peter and Vincent are easy to love. Peter’s laugh is infectious and warm and Vincent’s’ kindness and compassion are clear in every word. The March Sweater, PART 1 is a testament to true love ability to transcend any obstacle, culture, society, age. They are proof for any skeptic- love always wins.

THE MARCH SWEATER – PART 1: THE CARETAKERS, 8min, Canada, LGBT, Documentary
Directed by Cory AshworthLGBTQ2+ seniors speaking of life, love and the wisdom that comes with growing older.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Movie Review: WALLY (USA, LGBT, Documentary)

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Played at the August 2017 DOCUMENTARY Short Film Festival

by Kierston Drier

This bright, fresh and endearing short directed by Andy Galloway, follows the life and memories of Wally Linebarger- a renowned and beloved art teacher at a religious school who was let go because of his sexuality in the early 1990s. The story follows, not only Wally (as he discusses who he is and what lead him to his decision to come out) but also his three daughters and the effect the issue had on them.

 

Wally will captivate you from the first frame with his emotional openness, his humor, his charm and his endearing view of the world. One of the most effective parts of this documentary, however, is the accompaniment of his children. The documentary would stand on its own without them, but with them it truly raises above and beyond. Wally’s three daughters add a complex and resonant angle to a controversial and heartbreaking matter- that their loving and devoted father was let go from his job, and isolated from a community simply because of who he was. The lasting repercussions of that, in turn, affected them. Their points of view, and their varying experiences, added a critical layer of depth. The film is richer and more poignant for their appearances, confessions, anecdotes and honesty.

 

It is a hard thing to dig through layers of memory, especially when little paperwork or documentation exists. But in the case of Wally, it is done, and with spectacular effectiveness. An engaging story and one worth sharing, Wally is a excellent film.

 

WALLY, 24min, USA, LGBT, Documentary
Directed by Andy Galloway

Wally Linebarger: a man cught in the turbulence of truth. Plagued by a past that longs to define him and a future that remains unsure, Wally presses forward. Despite a life of gain and loss, three lights continue to guide him.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

MOVIE REVIEW: KAJAL (KOHL) (Drama)

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Played at the August 2017 FEMALE FEEDBACK Film Festival to rave reviews.

by Kierston Drier

Most cinema aims to make the audience feel something- laughter or joy, terror and thrill, anticipation and satisfaction. Excellent films achieve this, while also making you think. Spectacular films do all these things while also leaving one with an empowering message. Enter Kajal, which has transcended all these requirements and more. This twenty minute short from Indian directed by Paakhi A Tryewala, is a cinematic masterpiece of beautiful, terror and empowerment. A statement on society through one woman’s solitary tale of domination and resistance. Our heroine, a submissive and cautious woman, disrespected by strangers, ignored by her boss, and berated by her husband, stumbles into a mysterious package on her way home- containing a gun. Empowered by a weapon that finally gives her an element of protection, defense and choice, our hero sets about making changes the the world around her that treats life as though she is less than those around her.

 

It is never the gun that creates the changes- it is our heroine, empowered by the realization that she can wield power- and she does so without ever uttering a word.

 

Kajal is beautifully shot, with gorgeous cinematography. It is exceptionally well cast on every level. The performance of leading actress Salony Luthra is nothing short of awe-inspiring, as she captivates the screen with strength, poise and undeniable grit and determination. This is a rare gem of a film that is composed in near-perfection as it takes the viewer slowly into the life of one woman, prepared to change her world by any means necessary. Yet, the gun that empowers her is a beautiful metaphor for her own power. A gun is only as dangerous as the person who holds it.

Kajal is a must-see film. It resonates with tension, sparkles with anticipation and burns hot with a deep message of empowerment. A breakthrough film with razer-edge execution, it is a riveting cinematic piece to watch. Bravo Paakhi A Tyrewala. Bravo!

KOHL, 20min, India, Drama
Directed by Paakhi A Tyrewala

Like all elements, humans have a saturation point. What happens when a woman — constantly bullied by a boss, harassed by strangers and abused by husband — finds an abandoned package one night?

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

MOVIE REVIEW: NO STRINGS ATTACHED, (Music Video)

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Played at the August 2017 FEMALE FEEDBACK Film Festival to rave reviews.

by Kierston Drier

This five minute music video from the USA, No Strings Attached is a bold and dramatic statement about the commercialization of art.  Highly abstract, yet clear with its goals, motives and intent, this stylized musical art piece is comment on media, money and the rights to human expression.

 

No Strings Attached performed by Alyssa Maria featuring Destiny Claymore and directed by Lindsay Penn is not only a strong musical number but is composed with exceptional lyrics and an unforgettable performances. The lyrics jump out at the viewer as clearly and as vibrantly as the stunning emotional visuals.  

 

A special nod must be given to the artistic design- the costumes, makeup and overall visual spectacle of the piece is just as lush and entrancing as the highly moving lyrics. An artistic but strong criticism and review of our music industry and the money that propels the creation and distribution of content, this is a strong and memorable performance and a incredibly engaging film to behold

NO STRINGS ATTACHED, 5min, USA, Music Video
Directed by Lindsay PennFans or dollars? A surreal exploration of the inner conflict of the independent artist.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

MOVIE REVIEW: THE MAN WHO DOESN’T SLEEP (Drama, Dramamentary)

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Played at the August 2017 FEMALE FEEDBACK Film Festival to rave reviews.

by Kierston Drier

A fifteen minute Mockumentary-Drama coming out of Canada, directed by Jana Stackhouse, follows a young filmmaker Sam as she explores the curious condition of her neighbor. Her neighbour, as it turns out, doesn’t sleep- or can’t sleep. Taken with the fascinating story of this medical miracle, Sam devotes her time to following her neighbor Craig and his story. What would you do with your newly found time, if you no longer had to sleep?

What she finds is an amazing introvert who is a jack of all trades, from Cosplay to self-taught chef, to botanist, to one-man-band, Craig can do it all- although he can’t do any of it perfectly. And slowly, the shy recluse opens up to his new friend. But when Craig suddenly begins to feel exhaustion, Sam learns that when he finally does sleep, he may sleep most of the rest of his life to make up for what sleep has been lost. Determined to finish her film and give Craig a chance to tell his story, they carry on the documentary. Craig however, must come to the realization that a person can live in a dream world, even if they never fall asleep.

 

This is an exceptionally well balanced film. The Man Who Doesn’t Sleep has emotional and genuine performances, charming tone and a beautiful mixture of subtle comedy and heart. It’s slightly unbelievable premise is easy to accept because of how authentically it is portrayed. A meaningful message is left with anyone who takes the time to enjoy The Man Who Doesn’t Sleep– life may be short, but it is worth being awake for.

THE MAN WHO DOESN’T SLEEP, 15min, Canada, Drama
Directed by Jana StackhouseA young filmmaker finds herself in a new apartment where her neighbour is literally up all night. Her anger turns to curiosity as she sets out to make a documentary about ‘The Man Who Doesn’t Sleep.’

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

MOVIE REVIEW: WE WERE SWIMMING, (Art/Surreal)

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Played at the August 2017 FEMALE FEEDBACK Film Festival to rave reviews.

by Kierston Drier

We Were Swimming is a metaphorical, musical, poetic short, laced with symbolism and poignance. The story, while abstract, follows two teenage girls who share (or have shared) an intense emotional bond. Directed by May Fisher and hailing from the UK, this short film has an exceptionally beautiful in its impenetrable mystery.

 

The piece is largely visual set against a dramatic spoken word piece, detailing a the heavy history and powerful bond shared by the two women. There is an emphasis on the symbology of water in the piece, but the meaning behind it is left for the viewer to contemplate.

Excellent performances and beautiful cinematography are found in We Were Swimming. What exalts this short above the standard are the bravely intimate non-dialogue moments shared between the heroines. It captures the closeness clearly shared between them, although the extent of their relationship is left up to the interpretation of the audience. Impactful and often profound, We Were Swimming has the tone of a love poem spoken in whispers, that nevertheless can resonate with any heart.

 

WE WERE SWIMMING, 3min, UK, Art/Surreal
Directed by Jesse May Fisher

We Were Swimming explores intimacies and tensions between two teenage girls. As the protagonist’s dreams and memories interweave with one another certain intricacies of girlhood and female friendship come to light.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!