Slamdance - Press Play
Discernment becomes crucial as a little girl negotiates an adult world where different forms of entrapment threaten reality.
Interview with Director/Producer Kym McDaniel
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! About two years ago, I started getting really curious why I am as an adult. Why do I think, behave, and react in certain ways? Since I believe childhood has an impact on the rest of our lives, I started looking through home movies my parents filmed as a way of learning about my childhood. I had no intentions of making a film, but after I found the video of my two-year-old birthday party, I started wondering if there was a project in there. Press Play is the continuation of this exploration into my child/adulthood.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Within its six minutes, the film seems to end in a very different place then where it started.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Although the footage is so personal, I think the overarching ideas of power and authority are universal.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
At first I thought the film was going to be about my innate knowledge of needs as a child, and how that deteriorated into adulthood. I still think this is an underlying concept, but that process of grief or loss turned into an outside process for me as a person/artist. The first rough cut was also ten minutes, so I have spent a lot of time reworking the edit over its development.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I get a spectrum of reactions that range from heartwarming to disturbing. I honestly think it depends on the individual’s perspective on family, childhood, and women.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Yes…Before making this film and receiving feedback, I believed that some types of trauma or abuse were “worse” than others. I’m not sure how fair it is to put suffering on a scale anymore.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I hope the film can reach a wider audience and generate discussion, especially in regards to belief systems about girls and women. The election and current political climate is another clear example of a threatening perspective in our society regarding gender expectations and control over women’s rights.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I mostly work independently, although having a team would be a great opportunity. I am always grateful to talk with journalists…talking about the work is a privilege.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I think curiosity is always a good reaction…
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How does society view trauma in relationship to gender?
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am in my last semester of graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee…looking forward to continuing work on several ongoing projects and dance/media work.
Interview: January 2017
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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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Press Play
Discernment becomes crucial as a little girl negotiates an adult world where different forms of entrapment threaten reality.
Length: 00:05:55
Director: Kym McDaniel
Producer: Kym McDaniel
Writer: N/A
About the writer, director and producer:
Kym McDaniel is a choreographer and filmmaker based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her work examines the mind and body relationship to trauma, memory, and relationships. She holds a BFA in Dance and is an MFA Candidate in Film, Video, Animation and New Genres at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Yes