Big Apple Film Festival - C.I.T
A coming of age story about best friends, the equestrian camp they love, and a secret that threatens to destroy them.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Cara Consilvio
Watch C.I.T here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I have dreamed of directing a film since I was 15 and fell in love with film. I started my undergraduate years at UC Berkeley as a film major, but switched back to theater and dance when there was a lack of production opportunities. However, I always dreamed of making a film. When I started producing other people’s films many years later, I realized it was time to make my dream a reality.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I hope it will make you feel something and take you on a journey.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Friendship. Coming of age. The feeling of being on the periphery of someone else’s tragedy and how helpless it feels to know you cannot stop the pain they will endure.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
After I had a solid rough draft, I brought in the script to The Shelter, a wonderful group in NYC for writers and actors to work, and had actors read the pages. I got some valuable feedback from that group and made revisions. Once the location was locked, for which the script was written, I knew we could move forward with production. Since we were filming in a location I knew intimately, it helped my pre-production planning immensely. We had a very smooth, fun and memorable shoot.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We have gotten a lot of positive feedback. We have been accepted at 8 film festivals so far.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not really. I am happy with the film and the audience the film has had so far and feel grateful that my film had been seen at many festivals.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
As a female director, writer and producer, I consciously chose to write a film with an all female cast to give as many opportunities to women as possible. Over half the crew was female as well. We had a female AD, driving PA, art assistant, horse wrangler, and on set photographer. I am looking to make my next film to provide more opportunities for women and to bring underrepresented stories and voices to the screen.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
It would be great to screen at more festivals and to find a distributor to give a place for the film to be seen after the festival season.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like people to enjoy this small story and for the 20 minutes it lasts be engaged in the journey of the characters.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Should Sarah have told Lizzie that her father died? Was she betraying her by not telling her? Why did the camp director burden Sarah with this secret? How did keep this secret for a day change Sarah?
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am the executive producer and co-story writer on a low budget comedy thriller feature called Camp Wedding. It is directed by the DP and editor of CIT. I am writing my next short film and a feature that I hope to make in 2017.
Interview: November 2016
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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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C.I.T.
A coming of age story about best friends, the equestrian camp they love, and a secret that threatens to destroy them.
Length:
19 minutes and 19 seconds
Director:
Cara Consilvio
Producer:
Cara Consilvio
Writer:
Cara Consilvio
About the writer, director and producer:
Cara Consilvio is a director and producer working in opera and film. In the 2016-2017 season, she will direct Hansel and Gretel for Tri-Cities Opera, Street Scene for Loyola University, and Hydrogen Jukebox at Chautauqua Opera. Recent directing projects include educational outreach shows at Tri-Cities Opera and Chautauqua Opera and directing the 2014-2016 Chautauqua Studio Scenes program. Consilvio has been an assistant director for Fort Worth Opera, Opera Saratoga, Chautauqua Opera, and American Opera Projects. She will also assist at Portland Opera in the spring of 2017. As an assistant director, Cara worked on the world premieres of As One and The Long Walk.
Her teaching engagements include an adjunct lecturer position at the Boston University Opera Institute in 2014-2015, where she taught acting and directed the one-act operas Gallantry, and Fables as well as the scenes programs. Cara is the co-founder of Hup! Productions. Her film directing projects include her narrative film short film C.I.T., which will screen at eight festivals this year. As a film producer, Consilvio has produced the NEA Opera Honors video tributes, NEA Jazz Masters videos, and the New Works Forum OPERA America videos as well as narrative films, including the award winning Bowes Academy and an upcoming feature film called Camp Wedding.
More info:
www.caraconsilvio.com
www.hupproductions.com