SWIPE
A delinquent teenage boy learns a valuable lesson about growing up.
Interview with Writer/Director Anthony Sneed
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I made SWIPE purely in response to being in film school for the last 2+ years. At school, we were taught to do things the "Hollywood way" which I think caused our films to feel really restricted. Not only that, but SWIPE was rejected as a thesis film idea. Then it was rejected as an MOS project that the cinematographers do every year. At this point, you could imagine I was starting to question myself. In my head, the idea worked and was clear, but after you get rejected a few times, you start to have doubts. It's a thing that every artist goes through but it sucks when you're in the midst of the storm. Anyhow, I made this little film in an afternoon and it has gone on to win numerous awards at festivals all over the world and it helped realigned my artistic compass coming fresh out of school.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you like a true short film with a strong twist ending, watch SWIPE.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Well, the story is based on an act I committed with my friends when I was 12. Coming of age stories really relate to me because there's still an innocence attached to the characters, no matter how bad they are. What I also find interesting is that there are still many opportunities to change paths in life during your teens. It's much easier than adults and there's something impressionable about that I'm drawn to.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script was always pretty much the same from the initial idea, though I decided to cut 90% of the dialog as it's stronger with out it.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
My best friend saw an early cut where the character stops at the magazine rack as soon as he walks in the store. He suggested a radical cut and the cut you see today bypasses that first stop and has him arrive only at the end. By doing so, you're engaging the audience and sustaining the mystery of "why is he in that store?". It was a subtle change that changed everything for me.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It's surprised me. I was with a live audience at the Florida Film Festival and the huge reaction from the crowd at the end got me emotional.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
SWIPE is pretty much at the end of its festival run. I'd love it to get on Vimeo Short of the Week. I'm also hoping to give it a push for the Oscar since it won a qualifying festival.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We already have international distribution with Premium Film, but I would love a North American sales agent or distributor to come on board.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I just want to make the audience laugh with this one.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Was the store owner right in his decision?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I just shot my upcoming short "STRIPPER" on the Cherokee Indian Reservation in North Carolina with a group of Cherokee boys who've never acted before. It was by far the best movie-making experience I've had in my career thus far.
Interview: July 2021
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
SWIPE
Length:
5:21
Writer/Director
ANTHONY SNEED is a Cherokee filmmaker, who lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.
In 2018, SNEED made his directorial debut with the short film “SUCK” which he also wrote, edited, and performed. He’s since graduated from the director program at the prestigious American Film Institute in Los Angeles where he completed his thesis film “Kush: A Bubblegum Western”.
His most recent short “SWIPE” has won numerous awards at festivals around the world. In 2021, Sneed was featured in CAA’s MOEBIUS Film Festival. He’s recently completed photography on his upcoming short “STRIPPER” shot on the Cherokee Indian Reservation in North Carolina.
Producer
Anthony Sneed, Zane Kalnina, Doug Barden
Key cast:
Nick Hunter (Boy), Lorenzo Rodriguez (Store Owner), Alina Phelan (Mom)
Looking for:
sales agents, buyers
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/anthonymichaelsneed
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/anthonysneedfilm/
More info:
Where can I watch it:
Fantasia Film Festival/ Montreal, Canada
Montana International Film Festival/ Montana, USA
Athens Marathon International Film Festival/ Athens, Greece