Chasing Shadows
A group of friends—each at various levels of spirituality—embark on a mountainous journey to scatter the ashes of a recently deceased friend. But when their departed friend's ghost apparently visits the group, their faith and relationships are put to the test.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Mason Stoddard
Watch Chasing Shadows here:
Why did you make your film?
I made this film after two powerful events in my life: a crisis of religious faith, and the end of a long-term relationship. I grew up in a very religious environment, but as a young adult, I lost my faith and experienced a challenging transition of religious beliefs. My worldview had to be rebuilt from the ground up. This effected my relationships with my family and with my then-girlfriend. I wanted to tell a story that spoke to the questions and struggles I felt at the time.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
The film examines a little-explored topic in film: loss of faith and its effects on relationships. In addition, the film takes place in the impressive Teton Mountains of Wyoming and is full of gorgeous scenery.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
My own personal struggles with interfaith relationships and with losing faith provide the main narrative thrust. As for universal themes, the film asks how we ought to interpret events that seem outside the realm of reason.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The initial concept for the script was a question: What if a group of religious skeptics saw a ghost on a camping trip? How would they interpret the event? The film then became much more personal for me, taking many elements from my life. When the film's lead actor Melanie Stone came onboard, her own struggles with interfaith relationships also added a level of authenticity to the story.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
From friends, family, and former professors I've received quite positive feedback. I'm told that the film feels very personal, very emotionally raw.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Some viewers have found the film disturbing, which surprised me. I didn't think of it as a horror film, but some have found the elements of death upsetting. A few have commented that the film exposed them to new ways of thinking about faith struggles, which is just what I hoped for.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I'm aware that my film isn't a four-quadrant film. It's both challenging and emotionally intense while examining deeply personal and spiritual questions. Based on the catalog at wearemovingstories, I believe that yours is an audience that would appreciate my film.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I want the film to find its audience of thoughtful, reflective viewers. Because the film is extremely low-budget, I am not interested in sales agents or buyers, but solely in distributors and journalists. I would like the film to be seen, not necessarily sold. So finding a great platform to distribute the film and a few journalists to spread the word would be ideal.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I'd like people to consider the reasons why people transition in and out of religions. I'd like for religious people to have more sympathy for the doubter, and vice versa.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How should a married couple react when one spouse has a faith crisis/transition?
Also: How do we interpret a spiritual experience that we can't rationally explain?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I'm currently in post-production on an experimental drama filmed entirely in China.
Melanie Stone is the star of the popular fantasy film series Mythica.
Interview: March 2018
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, horror, world cinema. 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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Chasing Shadow
A group of friends—each at various levels of spirituality—embark on a mountainous journey to scatter the ashes of a recently deceased friend. But when their departed friend's ghost apparently visits the group, their faith and relationships are put to the test.
Length:
1h 27
Director:
Mason Stoddard
Producer:
Mason Stoddard
Writer:
Mason Stoddard
About the writer, director and producer:
graduate of Chapman University's MFA Screenwriting program, Mason Stoddard has been making independent, personal films for over ten years.
Key cast:
Melanie Stone, Hailey Nebeker, Taylor Barton, Daniel Griffi
Looking for:
distributors, journalists.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/centimeterpictures
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
The film is currently available on Youtube in its entirety, viewed mostly by family and friends of the cast and crew.