Tristan Sparks- McMahon
1. Tell us something about yourself?
Film is my primary passion but I also love drawing and creating mixed media art.
2. What are working on at the moment?
My best friend has brought me on to direct a Stephen King dollar baby short film adaptation! We're currently in the post-production stage and are both VERY excited about it.
3. Pitch your film to those who haven’t watched it?
"Earthly" is a romantic drama set in a newly dystopian sci-fi world in which a couple who have found themselves stranded are forced to confront their dire circumstances as well as the issues in their deteriorating relationship.
4. Share an anecdote from the shooting of the film?
Filming "Earthly" was like trying to get into an old riggety hammock. It was difficult and shaky at first, but once we got into it, it was an absolute dream.
Fritz Polzer
1. Tell us something about yourself?
I make art that is interested in how we perceive ourselves in the West in its moment of decline. The historical and cultural significance of the United States and Europe is lingering and still resonates through its multitude of negative global impacts, but as a culture we thought we 'ended History' in the 1990s. As we now know, our civilisations are as dysfunctional as ever and we are also often not even part of the discussion any longer. For societies that are based on the profound meaning of the individual and that we all have to matter so much, this does not work. I am interested in the poetry of decay and what actually makes us human.
2. What are working on at the moment?
I am currently working on an idea exploring my personal relationship to the large hotel that I live opposite from, built in 1993. I'm fascinated in the architecture itself, but also the significance of the hubris of the 1990s and how it resonates in my own biography.
3. Pitch your film to those who haven’t watched it
HORROR VACUI is a non-judgemental film of coming together, about people who are not disadvangted but disregarded, finding meaning in their lives. And it is about the mystical nature of humankind.
4. Share an anecdote from the shooting of the film?
I really liked one of the participants who foresaw all the deaths of the 1990s icons: Lady Di, Gianni Versace and also Mother Theresa. He completely understood that it was not true, that he had not actually foreseen their deaths, but he also knew that it was funny because they were all from a different era, but he enjoyed it, he enjoyed also believing it and telling the stories at the same time. I understood a lot at that point.
Senedra Newsome
1. Tell us something about yourself?
I've been living in South Korea for the past nine years. I'm a film teacher at an international school. The film resulted from me deciding to take on the assignment and work alongside the students to ensure I gave them enough time to create something meaningful. It wasn't until we finished that I decided to keep going and work with a compose to create original music. This process allowed me to experience the process from idea to exhibition. It was a great experience, and it helped revive my creativity.
2. What are working on at the moment?
I'm currently working on a script for a web series and also wrapping up some edits on a collaborative project centered on black gay men. It's exuberating and haunting at the same time I'm excited about it.
3. Pitch your film to those who haven’t watched it
Sense of Joy is an experience. It creates an ethereal experience through the exploration of self-love. It's grounding, relaxing and joyous.
4. Share an anecdote from the shooting of the film?
In the scene where he's waving the sage and experiencing a cleansing, we filmed a small bedroom with the windows and doors closed. After a few takes, we started to realized that the smoke was filling the room. I framed the perfect angle, and he put the sage too close to his nose and started choking! We all laughed so hard, and of course, I kept the camera rolling at 120fps, resulting in one of my favorite scenes. The moment of Joy.
Nancy Snipper
Firstly, I want to thank Arts Film Awards for honoring Fowl Crossing as Best Animated film. This means so much to me, as does the opportunity to be interviewed.
Entering the journey into animation comes as a surprise. Throughout my life, I’ve just let my imagination express itself in various ways. I have an artistic soul that that won’t let up.
I have been a professional stage and film actress, even touring in Greece, Euripides The Trojan Women. Having authored two adult books - one a novel that take place in Greece, (Floating on Lily Pads), and the other a poetry and short story collection. But my passion for children has always been foremost in my life. This is reflected in the children’s books I’ve written, and also in my first animation short, Tapping Tango – made in 2018.
I never expected to become a director of animation, writing the scripts and doing the voicing and playing the piano music in this film. I’m a song writer with 3 CDs out, so I was able to use a verse of my song, Be You to send the message of acceptance.
Fowl Crossing holds up a mirror to all kinds of prejudice steeped in hatred. Given the recent events of the world, the film’s topic is very timely. Perhaps that’s why it’s garnered over forty awards. Fowl Crossing is about birds from many different countries trying to get past the border a fictitious country. But the check point is manned by two nasty vulture guards who hurdle invectives full of discrimination and racism. A political parody of sorts, the 5-minute film on such a serious subject still manages to be funny and entertaining.
However, making this film was another story completely. Plagued with all kinds of setbacks, it took 3 years for it to come together. Not until, I found the outstanding Mexican animator, Eduardo Rivas did the film take its last final smooth flight. He polished it off in six weeks! Eduardo’s creativity and ability to follow directives made this film come together. I was so lucky to find the right person after almost three years of searching. Eduardo and I did it all via Zoom from Montreal to Mexico during Covid, so this made the entire process all the more challenging.
Every artist needs great support – a person or people that believe in you. Travelling along the animation journey with me was Hove Creek Productions’ manager, Sylvain Richard. He believed in me so much, and the film’s theme, he actually put his prodigious blogging site on hold for long periods of time to do many much-needed tasks. My great support all along was the blogger Sylvain Richard who never let me give up during those critical moments of difficulty.
Also, the voices I did for the characters needed a superb engineering audio studio. The highly renown, Planet Studios came on board for the mixing and mastering. In charge of this was Jacob Lacroix and Daniel Cinelli. They kept reassuring me everything was going to be okay, because after three years of so many ups and downs, I had become a nervous wreck.
Prejudice is a universal evil – just look at Donald Trump’s administrative policies. So, ifFowl Crossing might have been challenging, It was worth it if this film makes you laugh, and reflect on the serious message.
For my next film, titled Foot Drop Drag, I’m working on a unique story about an orthotic boot designed to be worn by those who have Drop Foot. The boot travels over various landscapes looking for someone who needs him. Will he find that person?
I’m reaching out to anyone wanting to work on this touching film. I love bringing talented people to collaborate with me.
My films carry a message of love and inclusion. I really hope Fowl Crossing resonates with all who see it.
Thank you again for this amazing award. I’m really honoured!
Giulia Viero
1. Tell us something about yourself?
My name is Giulia Viero, aka Efnael, and mainly I'm a Yoga and meditation teacher. My experience with art was born with me! as a child I was very good at drawing, I started very soon with poetry and when I grew up I wanted to be a poet!
Until one day, a friend of mine, gave me her camera in my hands and I realized that it is possible to create poetry even with images! So I started working as a photographer, video maker and I founded the Flux Lab, an integrated arts laboratory, together with other artists from my city, Turin. I began to discover different forms of expression, including that of the documentary.
In 2011 I began a profound journey of inner research that led me to get in touch with “Il Filo d'Oro”, the research group of Daniel Lumera, recognized international trainer, writer and university professor in the field of meditation and well-being .
This was one of the most significant experiences of my life. When I decided to make this documentary, I asked myself: is it possible to share this profound, authentic and transformative experience to the public through art?
Well, I really hope, I have succeeded!
2. What are working on at the moment?
Right now I am working to promote The Silent Revolution. I still don't know if and how my film career will continue. I feel that the message of my film, now, is the most important thing for me, especially in this moment of global difficulty. Also producing a film by yourself involves a certain amount of work, both from an economic point of view and that of organization and management.
3. Pitch your film to those who haven’t watched it
Of course. I strongly believe in the message this film shares. And I believe in it because it is what I live every day in my life. It’s all I teach in my Yoga classes. I believe today more than ever, we all need to rediscover values that are authentic, like peace, perseverance, joy of existing, humility, awareness.
4. Share an anecdote from the shooting of the film?
The Silent Revolution is my first documentary film. When I stared filming, I still didn't know anything about making a movie, even if it was short. I had just worked with video art before. So I left my home, for this meditation retreat with Daniel Lumera and all the protagonists, with my Reflex, a small laptop to download and one hard disk. I did not realize that perhaps, due to the amount of footage to be done, maybe it was not the best equipment.
So one day, while I was downloading some material into this small laptop, suddenly it is no longer accessible. And I was pretty much done with all filming. I remember that I cried a lot and I was very desperate. But in the end, luckily, I was able
Aleksandar Tomovski
1. Tell us something about yourself?
Ugh.. tough one :)
Long story short - 36 year old (or young) software engineer by day, award winning and internationally exhibited photographer that tries to capture the spirit behind the people and subjects that are photographed. Always looking for those spontaneous, once in a lifetime moments filled with emotions in the streets or your events; the unique magic of mother nature; and the essence of women as something that has defined art and inspired the artists through the centuries with their ever inspiring layers of mystery.
Recently, slowly but surely, I've been getting into the filmmaking industry as another medium for storytelling. Ballet is something that not so recently enchanted me and ever since represents my main source of inspiration and musings.
2. What are working on at the moment?
Motivated by the success and the amazing feedback of The Paradox, I'm in very early stages of the development of two projects that have been around in my creative thoughts - one is related with the ballet, but as The Paradox, with deep and thought provoking story and protagonist/antagonist underneath; and the other one is documenting an amazing artist and stereotype breaker.
3. Pitch your film to those who haven’t watched it
Using the professors Andrei Linde theory of quantum paradox that throws the foundations of observed reality into question, and the dance of the main character (a ballerina) that is dancing a black swan variation, alone on a dark stage, we are getting visual representation of the main thesis in that quantum paradox theory, stressing out the situation in which the stage performing artist are during the Covid-19 pandemic, with no audience (or observers) to witness the art they are making. And so the director is asking - imagine being an artistic masterpiece, for one perfect minute in space and time, and by nobody seen. Do you truly exist?
4. Share an anecdote from the shooting of the film?
During the days when we were preparing to shoot the film, Marija was also preparing to dance the white/black swan in the Swan Lake in Bulgaria right after the shooting. And so she had to take covid-19 test so that she would be able to travel; the date/time were unknown, until.. moments before the scheduled shooting, she got the call.. (bummer) so basically we had to postpone everything for another 2 hours, luckily nothing was affected, we gained more time to prepare the set, but she cooled down from the warmups done previously. After that everything went just perfectly.
On other occasions, because of Marias' movement, spinning, jumping and what not in every direction, some closeups were a bit too close up to her face :)
Michelle Arthur
1. Tell us something about yourself?
What really connected me to the film business came from my uncle who was a journalist and columnisfor the LOS ANGELES TIMES. Being a filmmaker you are a storyteller just with moving photos, and I’ve always appreciated photography. It was a natural jump to go from magazine publishing, which was my first career to follow on my uncle's path, to the movie business.
Other examples would be the Actors who were from the state of Indiana where I grew up. My high school boyfriend was a cousin to the Actor James Dean. Years later I would be attending James Franco’s Studio 4 Acting & Filmmaking school. Franco won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for portraying JAMES DEAN in his biopic. Years later again, I would watch Franco directing THE DISASTER ARTIST and I participated in that award-winning Feature which has James Dean scenes.
I moved to New York City after graduation from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. In NYC I met my ex-husband whose late father was the Actor Dustin Hoffman’s Manager. Hearing stories of life with him was inspirational too. But mostly, it was just a pull I have that kept me moving into acting and filmmaking.
2. What are working on at the moment?
Princess Arthur Productions is the official name of our production company. The name stems from the legends of King Arthur and my last name. With ancestors from the United Kingdom, I thought it would be a unique way to tie history to my films.
In addition to the feature film FATE’S SHADOW: THE WHOLE STORY (which included 4 Teasers and a Short film version entitled just FATE'S SHADOW), I have an animated Short film in the festival circuit entitled V & F, which stands for Vernell & Frank. That is about a vine and a fence inside a Los Angeles park. Outside of those two projects, I am in pre-production on another Feature film entitled RINGS OF THE UNPROMISED. All three projects are very special, and I'm excited to see each released after their festival runs.
3. Pitch your film to those who haven’t watched it
FATE'S SHADOW: THE WHOLE STORY is about a rich player who emotionally abuses his girlfriend until she discovers the bond of multiple past lives that ties them together into modern day. From their experiences she is empowered to turn the tables on him.
It's an impactful feature with a stellar cast and crew including Ms. American Petite Finalist and multiple award-winning Actress Filmmaker Michelle Arthur, Golden Globe winner Karen Sharpe, former Miss Golden Globe Kat Kramer, Body Builder Champion and TV Star Kevin Caliber, as well as International Dance Champions Maksim Leonov from Belarus and Elena Nesterova from the Ukraine. All on the cast perform masterfully with originally composed music from R. Kim Shultz.
The aim of the production is to lift the veil on spiritual matters and raise awareness on relationship issues. One in four women across the globe are in an abusive relationship. It is the Producer's hope that the film empowers others to leave unhealthy situations.
4. Share an anecdote from the shooting of the film
So many stories we could tell about the production process. It's been quite the journey between dodging a pandemic, medical issues, and major out of state moves requiring some cast to travel thousands of miles just to be on set. The list of obstacles is very long but at the end of the day, the feature was finished on time, within the desired 85-minute length, and within budget.
One of the most scary times is when we shot the abbey scene with 4 actors. It was about 93 degrees and I overheated which caused my face to turn color, smear my makeup, and catch me out of breath at times. We had no HMUA with us when we filmed that due to the conditions, the natural look of nuns and priests, and we had already wrapped our HMUA. In addition, we were on a very narrow dirt road high up on a hill with a cliff. A huge construction company truck drove through scattering us. As the Producer I was concerned for the teams' lives and yelled out to people to grab a tree or face the cliff's rocks in case debris would hit them. The truck paid no attention to our group and how it made it up the steep hill to its construction site is still a mystery. We were able to get the scene shot after the delays. However, it was the only time the crew was pushing me onwards instead of the other way around with me trying to motivate them more toward excellence. I'm proud of them for that.
Emma Houghton
1. Tell us something about yourself?
My name is Emma Houghton and I'm a film and theatre actor, voice artist and emerging theatre director and playwright! I graduated with my BFA Acting from the University of Alberta in 2017 and have been working steadily ever since. I tend to always have multiple projects on the go and rely heavily on my filofax to keep my life straight.
What are working on at the moment?
Currently I'm working on directing and producing my first animated short The Magpie with animation done by The Late Nights, and I just finished a workshop with Lunchbox Theatre for my new play The Gatekeepers, which I co-wrote with my good friend Helen Belay. In a little less than a month I start shooting for Season 2 of Abracadavers, an Alberta made TV Series, in which I reprise my role of Allie from Season 1. I am really looking forward to it!
Pitch your film to those who haven’t watched it
Highway 13 is a film that harkens back to the myths, legends, and ghost stories that we told each other as teenagers. It plays on the fears we all have about highway travel and elevates them to another level.
Share an anecdote from the shooting of the film
Shooting was a blast! The first scene I shot is actually the last scene in which you see Glenda - that typical film thing where you shoot out of order. It had snowed a bit and was actually quite slippery. I'm supposed to be very tired in that scene, and because of how slippery it was, I actually tripped a couple of times, one big wipe out and a couple smaller ones. I'm pretty sure one of those shots might have made it into the film!
Amelia Annen
Tell us something about yourself?
My name is Amelia Annen. I am a New York-based director, writer, actor, and comedian. My directorial film credits include Rural, Dinosaur Day, Angel, and Girl of My Dreams - which I most recently worked on as a member of the Ashes Artist Collective. In May, I graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Drama and a Minor in Creative Writing. In my writing, I like to work with themes of gender, sexuality, love, and violence.
What are working on at the moment?
At the beginning of July, I traveled down to Virginia where I directed a short film, Rural, about a teenage girl living in conservative, rural Virginia grapples with identity and self-acceptance. We are now heading into post-production and I’m really looking forward to seeing the final product.
Pitch your film to those who haven’t watched it
Girl of My Dreams is a romantic comedy about two young women living in New York, Anne and Willa. It’s feel good, romantic, and visually tons of fun.
Share an anecdote from the shooting of the film
Most of the clothes Willa (Kathleen Salazar) and Anne (Savannah Kovacs) are wearing are mine. I love to buy fun clothes at thrift shops and sorta collect lots of different pieces so most coats they both wear are mine, as well as the full lavender suit Willa wears in the dream sequences.
Martin Del Carpio
Tell us something about yourself?
I am a film and music artist based in New York City. I've been writing and recording music for over 10 years and been doing some filmwork for over 8 years now. I was always told my music had a cinematic vibe so it wasn't too improbable to jump into filmmaking. To be honest, I think I enjoy filmmaking more than music mainly because it's been more rewarding.
What are working on at the moment?
At the moment, I'm writing a script for my next short film project. I want to keep the experimental element but put it in a more narrative structure. I'm a fan of dialogue films that challenge you visually while delivering a strong story.
Pitch your film to those who haven’t watched it
LOS is an experimental art collage film that has a mystical perspective on our future.
Share an anecdote from the shooting of the film
It's an animated film so not much can be said other than feeling honored to collaborate again with the collage artist Nikola Gocic and the music artist Sharif Sehnaoui who helped out with the soundtrack for the film.