Awareness Film Festival - Pressure
A man struggles to overcome his constant thoughts of suicide.
Interview with Writer/Director Joseph Massa
Watch Pressure here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
“My brother Christian and I wanted to create a film that was not only visually and emotionally stimulating but that sent a powerful message as well. Depression is an epidemic that must be stopped. It is a disease, not a choice. Everyone has been affected by suicide somehow at some point in their lives, and I hope that this is a film that everyone can relate to and feel. I chose to leave out dialogue because I really wanted to convey the message to the audience through the emotions of the actors. I feel that facial expressions and movements are a powerful tool to be used along with good music and I feel this was the right decision to convey this message. I hope this video helps spread awareness about depression and suicide, and I hope that it lets people that are suffering know that help is possible by living a healthy lifestyle, talking to someone and facing your fears.”
-Joseph Massa
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
You should watch the film because the world we live in today is filled with negativity. This film aims to send a positive message to its viewers and encourages people to seek help if they are suffering from depression. Statistically speaking, some of the members of the audience are most likely suffering or have suffered from some severity of depression and I hope that it could help them.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The main theme of our film is positivity. Positivity on a personal and a universal level. The film starts out dark and depressing to help the audience empathize with the main character and see how one thing on top of another can pile up very quickly, much like our everyday lives.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
The script and film have changed since we started filming. It was actually my brother Christian who came up with the idea for a suicide awareness film. He suggested it to me and then we began co-writing the script together. At first it was just a broad idea with a bunch of random scenes written down but as we came up with more and more great ideas for the film we began to storyboard it in a linear fashion so that it would make sense to the audience and not just be a bunch of random events.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We have gotten great feedback so far! We have already been accepted to a couple different festival. One being the Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles, which we are really excited about and will be attending. Our film is set to air on October 7, at 7p.m. at the Regal LA Live Stadium 14. In addition to being accepted to some festivals, we have also been contacted by some non-profit, suicide prevention organizations who are interested in showing our film.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback and praise that we received for this film has definitely surprised us more than we could have ever imagined. When we first began putting this film together we thought it was just going to be a positive short film that we were going to share with our friends on Facebook, we never even intended to enter it into any festivals and here we are now, it’s an amazing feeling to be able to do something you love and potentially help people by spreading a positive message simultaneously.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We hope that more and more people will see our film and our positive message spreads throughout the world. Suicide rates are quickly increasing and depression is often overlooked as a disease. If at least one person who is suffering from depression sees our film and seeks help because of it, rather than doing something worse then that’s good enough for me, although I hope it helps many more people.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We need as many people on board with us as possible. Film festival directors would be great. The more festivals that we get accepted to means more people view it, which creates more potential to help people. Journalists would also be a great help because they are really able to help extend the reach of our film by writing about it.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We would love for this film to persuade as many people suffering from depression as possible to seek help. We are seeking only a positive impact with our film.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Whether or not depression is a disease. Some people/doctors are so quick to say that depression is not a disease and can be defeated simply with mind over matter, which is entirely not the case. Depression is a disease, just like cancer is a disease and more and more people are dying everyday from it.
Would you like to add anything else?
Just a personal message. To those suffering from depression or even are just in a dark place for whatever reason in life, go and talk to someone. A support system is crucial for everyone, don’t trap the dark thoughts and feelings inside your head and bury them away because they only come back worse. Talk to anyone you can whether it be family, friends, teachers, counselors or doctors. There is always going to be someone out there who will be willing to listen and help. Feel free to get into contact with me or my brother if you would like to we would love to listen and help.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We are currently working on a documentary aimed primarily towards Alzheimers Disease and how to potentially prevent it. In my spare time I do a lot of research about health and diseases and I have looked over dozens of case studies on Alzheimers and found some interesting correlations between diagnosis and certain vitamin deficiencies.
Interview: October 2016
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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Pressure
A man struggles to overcome his constant thoughts of suicide.
Length: 11:20
Director: Christian Massa
Producer: Bill Duncan
Writer: Joseph Massa & Christian Massa
About the writer, director and producer:
Director: Joseph Massa was born in New Haven, Connecticut on November 21, 1989. He is an actor, writer and director.
Writers: Joseph Massa was born in New Haven, Connecticut on November 21, 1989. He is an actor, writer and director.
Christian Massa was born in New Haven, Connecticut on March 24, 1992. He is an actor and writer.
Key cast: Joseph Massa – Suicide
Christian Massa – Man
Michele Massa - Therapist
Frank Vollero – Father
Chrissy Grazio – Girlfriend
Justin Shepard - Clerk
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
All of the above
Funders: James Walters and self funded
Made in association with: Savin Lake Productions
Release date: October 7, 2016