The Hero Pose
Mia is eight years old and wants to do anything but hang out at her dad's house trying to sell a car that doesn't run. Her father, Joe has real concerns he's grappling with. The Hero Pose is a story about Joe and Mia, father and daughter, and those precious moments when two people are able to pause and connect.
Interview with Writer/Director Mischa Jakupcak
Watch The Hero Pose here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! I was inspired to make a film set in Missoula, Montana. I was born and raised there and wanted to use it as the backdrop for a story.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Both Nikki Hahn and Chaske Spencer offer great nuanced performances, I think. It's about slowing down and appreciating the moment amidst and in spite of the less than perfect circumstances in which we all live.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
More than themes I think I was trying to capture the characters and relationships during one specific afternoon in Missoula.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
It started as a stage play and became a short film. We shot the film in four days and spent more time than we should have on a few pages of dialogue that we inevitably cut from the finished film.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback has been overwhelming positive. The Hero Pose has been selected to screen at over thirty film festivals all over the world and garnered awards for Nikki's performance, Chaske's performance, best writing and best direction. I made it two years ago and it still has a life of its own. It was invited to screen and given subtitles in Italian, Korean and Spanish, which was incredibly exciting and such an honor beyond where I expected the film to travel. It's been to Australia, Korea, India, Mexico, Canada and all over the USA. It's better traveled than I am!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I was most surprised that is has been so embraced at Children's film festivals. When I conceived of the film, I intentionally used swear words and had the father smoking and it hadn't occurred to me that it would appeal to youth. I had made it as a story intended for adults but have been pleased that kids relate to it and that it resonates with young and old audiences alike.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would love more opportunities to write and direct.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I think it would more likely perhaps introduce me to people who might have an interest in supporting future and current projects I am making.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like people to be moved by the relationship between the father and the daughter. Life is often so busy these days. Hopefully they might reflect and decide to take a moment to slow down and pause and actually with a loved one.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I think the character of the father, played by Chaske Spencer, is a conversation in itself. I think he created such a realistic portrait of a very flawed, but very well meaning person. He loves his daughter very much and I think the details of the divorce and the impact of the divorce on the girl, Mia, is a subject that might be interesting to unpack.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I know Nikki Hahn has been busy working on The Babysitter's Club with Disney. Chaske Spencer is a producer as well as an actor and also champions awareness about the importance of environmental protection and preservation. One of his recent acting roles is playing along side Jessica Chastain and Sam Rockwell in Susanna White's Woman Walks Ahead.
I have co-founded a VR production company in Seattle called Mechanical Dreams VR and am developing a VR series as well as a comedic feature script called Pharm Animals.
Interview: December 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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