THREE birds
Stella visits her college library with two tasks in mind. A third awaits.
Interview with Actor/Writer/Director/Producer Shannon Harris
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! Growing up, though we did not (yet) call it such, I figured that, along with being an actor, I'd become a "content creator" someday in order to create opportunities for myself and other underrepresented artists.
In the fall of 2018, I had the resources and a story, based on a similarly comical and philosophically eventful trip to the bookstore, to fashion into my first film. In January 2019, I founded my production company Tricoastal Productions, "TCP" for short, in order to produce "THREE birds." TCP's broader mission is to amplify the voices and stories of underrepresented artists - starting with my own.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
The main reason that you should watch "THREE birds" is because it is a compelling, funny, and concise story to which many people relate. Beyond that, it is a great way to support a diverse team of talented artists in front of and behind the camera. Also, it is the first in a planned three-part series of shorts based on idioms. You want to watch to see how the films are connected (and/or not connected).
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The importance of kindness and thoughtfulness, being present and mindful, community, and giving back are some of the prominent personal and universal themes in the film.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
With "THREE birds" being my first film, without formal or comprehensive film school education, I was not sure how it would turn out. When I was casting the film, a fellow filmmaker explained that there's the film you write, the film you shoot, and the final cut. I'm extremely encouraged that the final cut of "THREE birds" is very close to the script that I wrote. The final cut is at least 85-90% of what I envisioned, which I think is great, especially for a (then) first-time filmmaker with my background and experience at the time.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The film is very well-received. What has been especially gratifying is when audience members pinpoint how specific choices that I made as a director land exactly how I intended.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback that I have received to date has not surprised or challenged my point of view for the most part. Depending on one's perspective and taste, the comedy in the film is (a bit) edgy. I had one friend say that something that happened early in the film bothered her; but it was resolved by the end.
A big part of what I'm doing with the film as a director is playing with the audience's perceptions and expectations; so that kind of response did not surprise or challenge me. I anticipated - and welcome! - it from some audience members.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
As an emerging filmmaker, one of the main goals of being profiled on a platform like WeAreMovingStories.com is exposure. I want to get as many eyes on my work as possible. As an artist, that is first and foremost - I want to share my work with the world.
The exposure ideally facilitates me having a reputation for doing good work. Ideally, that exposure will translate into concrete distribution and sales opportunities for my completed work and fundraising support for my future work. In particular, I will likely be crowdfunding for the first time to produce the third film in the planned three-part idiom series of which "THREE birds" is the first and "grist," my second complete film, is the second short.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
"THREE birds" is currently streaming on Reel Women's Network (https://watch.reelwomensnetwork.com/three-birds). It is also available on GenreTV and URBN-TV on Roku. I'm open to additional non-exclusive distribution opportunities. Beyond that, I'm open to a conversation(s) about selling it.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
The film is having the impact and reception that I sought in terms of audience response to what I intended to be a well-executed, good story. Beyond that, I hope that I inspire (especially) similarly-situated folk to create their own work as well.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
To quote one of the characters in the film: "What's the rush?"
Would you like to add anything else?
"THREE birds," which won Best Comedy in the 2022 NYWIFT Online Shorts Festival, has been an official selection at six local and national film festivals. Along with NYWIFT, it has screened at 2019 Big Apple Film Festival (World & NYC Premiere); 2021 Afrikana Independent Film Festival; 2021 Newark Short Film Awards; 2020 Reel Sisters of the Disapora Film Festival and Lecture Series; and 2020 NewFilmmakers NY.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
"grist," the second film in my planned three-part series of shorts based on idioms, was completed in June 2021. The award-winning film is currently on the festival circuit, where it has screened at 11 local and national film festivals ... and counting. The third film (title withheld for now) is written, and I'm aiming to shoot principal photography this fall (2022).
As an actor, when I'm not working or prepping for my next gig, I'm auditioning. The key creatives in both of my films are all working professionals in front of and/or behind the camera. Their names are listed on the film's poster. You can find us on social media to stay abreast of what we're up to!
Interview: May 2022
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, 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
THREE birds
Length:
6:27
Writer/Director/Producer
SHANNON HARRIS is an award-winning actor and independent filmmaker. She founded Tricoastal Productions in January 2019 to produce her first film, narrative short "THREE birds," which she also wrote, directed, and in which she leads the diverse cast.
Shannon’s two award-winning films “THREE birds” and “grist,” the first and second in a planned three-part series of shorts based on idioms, have been official selections at over 15 local and national film festivals.
Key cast:
Shannon Harris (Stella), Carolyn Kang (Library Clerk), Jerome Martin Schwartz (Elderly Man), Michael Flood (Library Visitor)
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/tricoastalprod
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/tricoastalprod
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/tricoastalprod/
Hashtags used:
#Actor, #Actress, #ActorTraining, #ActingCareer, #actorslife, #Blackactor, #Blacktress, #Theatre, #Film, #TV, #Library, #CollegeLibrary, #College, #CollegeStudent, #TheatreMajor, #Elderly, #Errands, #MagicalRealism, #Idiom, #Community, #Kindness, #Support, #Mentor, #Mentorship, #WomeninFilm, #blackwomeninfilm, #POC, #WOC, #FemaleFilmmaker, #BlackWomanFilmmaker, #Alumna, #CollegeAlumna, #RepresentationMatters, #TheFutureisIntersectional, #TheFutureisNow
More info:
"THREE birds" is currently streaming on Reel Women's Network (https://watch.reelwomensnetwork.com/three-birds). It can also be found on GenreTV and URBN-TV on Roku.