Santa Fe Film Festival - ‘Story 304’
It's business as usual at Storytellers Corp.™ until a washed-up Narrator decides to break into Story 304.
Interview with Writer/Director Aaron Maurer and Co-Writer and Producer Zach McMillan
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thanks! This film was an experiment that offered a way to play around with the conventions of film language (editing, camera movement, voiceover etc.), which could also fit within a plot. Plus just the fun and challenge of putting together a small independent project to make with our friends.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
The format of a short has that unique ability to transport you into another world or touch on a particular idea in this compressed amount of time. It can be a really interesting and unique experience.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
A theme that runs throughout is how do we as individuals fit into social 'systems’, be it a professional field, office workplace, or our society in general. Going along with the status quo is easier, but what do you end up sacrificing? And on the flip side, what if you want to do things differently, outside 'the system’? What do you have to give up to make that happen?
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
The script started as a conversation while we (my writing partner and producer) were walking through a park in Brooklyn. It went through a dozen or more drafts. As people are added to the creative process – as collaboration increases – so does the complexity of navigating the original vision.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Great feedback so far. People really seem to enjoy the ride and always are engaged enough to ask questions. We've won a couple of awards for 'Best Fantasy Film' at festivals so which is really nice affirmation after having worked so hard on something for a long time.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
We knew we were attempting something a little outside our comfort zone in terms of scope and complexity and we were expecting a range of reactions. Getting feedback from people early on helped us take a hard look at what we'd already made and it helped us tweak and polish. Certainly, I think we can be our own harshest critics. We would make the film shorter to fit into the “sweet spot” for the running time of shorts in festivals. Ultimately the goal is to learn and grow once your work is out in the world and you can see how it translates.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We’d to connect with other people that love films and want to make them. We’re interested in getting more feedback (any and all feedback is helpful, almost). We would be interested to hear if people like the style, the ideas, and if it sparked any kind of connections. We’re developing more projects and we want to connect with people that are interested in building a productive, creative community.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We would like an angel investor to appear from the heavens with a modestly large sum of money and guaranteed distribution deal... If you're out there, come on down.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We would like to take people on a fun journey and leave them thinking about something, whether it’s a theme that the film brings up, a mood or feeling, or just a small moment that lasts beyond the viewing. It's all about communication, storytelling, knowing that we communicated something that resonated with an audience… that would feel like a great achievement.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
We grow up watching the same cliche narratives replicated and retold over and over in film and TV. What effect could these pacifying tales have on us? Do they alter our expectations of how life and love should unfold?
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We are currently finishing up two scripts for feature films that we hope to move forward into production in 2017.
Interview: December 2016
_______________________________________________________________________________
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
_______________________________________________________________________________
‘Story 304’
It's business as usual at Storytellers Corp.™ until a washed-up Narrator decides to break into Story 304.
18 min.
Director: Aaron Maurer
Producer: Zach McMillan
Writers: Aaron Maurer & Zach McMillan
Aaron and Zach grew up together in Minneapolis and have been friends since middle school. They've made movies together since the age of 16 and both currently live in Brooklyn, NY. Zach is a songwriter and music producer and Aaron is a freelance designer and art director for motion graphics studios.
Main Cast:
Patch Darragh, Dylan Dawson, Daiva Deupree, Eric Clem and Thomas Lyons.
Still waiting to hear back from more festivals for screenings in 2017!