Memory Box is a short film about a visit to a loved one that leads to an unexpected, shattering revelation.

Interview with Director/Editor Karl Shefelman and Writer/Producer Daniel Blake Smith

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

DANIEL: I wanted to explore a theme from my novel, "Mr. Wonderful", from which the film script was drawn; the power and mystery of memory.

KARL: After the long exhausting effort of writing, directing, and producing my own full-length feature, "Looking for the Jackalope" (previously featured here), I wanted to direct a short film, something with a quick turn around, preferably written and produced by someone else, where I could focus just on directing. I read Daniel's script and found it intriguing and compelling. It also dealt with a very powerful subject: dementia. On top of that, it had a nice surprise twist which I always like.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

DANIEL: If you care about dealing with memory loss, and how we create our own realities, you will spark to the story.

KARL: Also, if you like surprises, this film is for you.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

DANIEL: The character's backstory and childhood – their past times and emotional traits – combined with the over-arching theme of memory, of how and what we remember.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

KARL: Though I didn't write the original script, as the director I suggested ways to cinematically open up the script in the beginning with character action and movement as well as a more inventive way to reveal the surprise twist and change in point of view at the midpoint. I also story boarded the whole thing which gave us more story ideas and certainly made the editing easier.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

We are thrilled that the film has been selected by 23 festivals and counting and won a variety of awards. The most common reaction by audiences has been "touching, moving and beautiful", and some of our festival audiences have shed a lot of tears.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

The biggest surprise is how young people have been moved by the film – especially those who have dealt with older relatives or loved ones suffering from dementia.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

We made a high quality film that is very relatable and so we want to spread the word about it to as wide an audience as possible.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Journalists, critics, reviewers, digital platforms and distributors.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

We'd like to see more film audiences – not just film festivals – embrace this film and relate to it.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

What do we do when we encounter a loved one suffering from memory loss, and how can we better understand and empathize with them?

Would you like to add anything else?

One of the other reasons we made this film is to attract producer/financing interest in making a full length feature, also based on Daniel's novel, "Mr. Wonderful", which "Memory Box" was spun out of. In a sense it is a "proof of concept" for a longer film.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Director Karl Shefelman is currently gearing up to direct another short film, "Man on the Tower" in his home town of Austin, Texas. Karl also wrote a feature film "The Hunters", a multi cultural coming-of-age adventure which is in development. It was a semifinalist in the prestigious Academy Nicholl Fellowships in screenwriting. Karl is also attached to direct "Mr. Wonderful". Writer/producer Daniel Blake Smith is currently in preproduction on another feature film he wrote called "Blood Born", as well as a short film, "Happy".

Interview: January 2019

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Memory Box

Memory Box is a short film about a visit to a loved one that leads to an unexpected, shattering revelation.

Length: 11:22

Director: Karl Shefelman

Producer: Daniel Blake Smith

Writer: Daniel Blake Smith

About the writer, director and producer:

KARL SHEFELMAN released his debut feature film, LOOKING FOR THE JACKALOPE, which won BEST U.S. FEATURE at the Austin Revolution Film Festival. Distributed by INDIE RIGHTS it is now on Amazon and other platforms. Karl also wrote a feature screenplay, "The Hunters", a SEMIFINALIST in the Academy Nicholl Fellowships. In addition to directing, Karl has had extensive experience as a professional storyboard artist, working with such directors as Francis Coppola, Ridley Scott, and Martin Scorsese.

Emmy-Award nominated DANIEL BLAKE SMITH has written and produced several feature films and documentaries, including the Emmy-nominated FEBRUARY ONE: THE STORY OF THE GREENSBORO FOUR ( PBS’s “Independent Lens”). His short, MEMORY BOX, is based on his novel, MR. WONDERFUL. Smith is also writer/producer of the crime drama TEXAS HEART with John Savage and Lin Shaye; and his thriller, BLOOD BORN, with Ed Asner and Jeremy Sumpter, is in preproduction.

Key cast: John Pierson (Brian), Lou Cariffe (Robert), Jessica Ambuehl (Claire)

Looking for: distributors, journalists, film festival directors

Facebook: Memory Box

Twitter: @mboxfilm

Instagram: @jackalopepictures

Other: IMDB (1), (2), Youtube, Vimeo

Funders: Self-funded

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

Beaufort Int'l Film Fest - Feb, 22nd, Red Dirt Film fest - Mar. 2