Reminiscence
A woman decides to take matters into her own hands to cope with the loss of her one and only then discovers the truth about life and death.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Emily Aguilar
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Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Loyola Marymount University challenged me to direct because before going there, all I wanted to do was to produce. I wasn’t sure what kind of story I wanted to tell because there are so many that I wanted and still want to tell. How can you pick just one? So I decided to write about my experience living by myself in Los Angeles without my family. I had moved there the summer I graduated high school from Virginia so it was a big move. I wrote Reminiscence when I was missing them and coped with that by making this film.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This film provokes a certain feeling of vulnerability, fear and, of course, love that I know the audience will feel and should feel towards a loved one.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
People are very emotional beings and I purposely used a husband and wife for characters rather than a mother and daughter, for example, to really pull the heartstrings. Everyone has a loved one or has loved someone so I knew by doing this; I would affect the emotions of the audience at a deeper level. And everyone can feel the universal feeling of love.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
This project didn’t evolve too much. I wrote it in a week, and it was the ending that I was playing with the most. The production for this film was the easiest shoot I experienced so far. I’m not sure why, but things fell right in place when prepping. The manager of the location was wonderful and so was my crew. The crew knew the story I was trying to tell and did everything they could to help me make it and for that, I am grateful.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
So far, positive reviews. I’ve been getting a lot of, “I need a tissue box.” Bill Butler, the cinematographer of Jaws watched it and said it was a beautiful film; that made me feel honored. I wanted my audience to connect with my main character and I believe I have done that based on the reviews.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
To be honest, I was very surprised that people connected with the film the way they did because I wasn’t sure if I was capable of provoking that emotion. This is the first film I ever directed which caused a lot of uncertainty for how the audience would react.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I definitely want people to experience gratitude by watching my film on your website. I also want people to know that I put my heart and soul into this project as my first directorial short and am now working on my third short film to film at the end of this year. There are many challenges that others or I may come across; however, we can’t let that stop us from telling the stories we want to tell.
My goal is to work my way up towards directing features that gets into theatres and I hope people who see my work, watch my films and support me along the way.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I need film festival directors to see my film and to notice the impact it has made on audiences across the US so far. It needs to be seen by more people so international buyers and distributors could also help in doing that.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I want people to be emotionally impacted by this film to the point where they go up to their loved ones and say, “I love you.”
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How deep is the power of love really?
Would you like to add anything else?
I’m a Latina filmmaker with a mission to provoke, educate and inspire her audience in both my creative and commercial productions so keep an eye out for me. ;)
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I recently got accepted into the 2016-2017 cohort for the SFTV/ Film Independent Incubator Lab Program. With that, I am making my third short film while putting ideas together for a feature.
Interview: August 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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Reminiscence
A woman decides to take matters into her own hands to cope with the loss of her one and only then discovers the truth about life and death.
Length: 8:43
Director: Emily Aguilar
Producer: Emily Aguilar
Writer: Emily Aguilar
About the writer, director and producer:
Emily Aguilar is a director and producer in Los Angeles. She founded the Global Impact Film Festival in Washington, DC and received her Bachelor's Degree in Film & TV Production from Loyola Marymount University. She is currently in the 2016- 2017 cohort for the SFTV/ Film Independent Incubator Lab Program. Emily is a Latina filmmaker with a mission to provoke, educate and inspire her audience in both her creative and commercial productions.
Key cast:
Diane Wilson and Robert E. Weiner
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Sales agents, distributors and film festival directors
Funders: Independent
Made in association with: Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles
Release date: June 2015
Where can I watch it in the next month?