Global Impact Film Festival - Square One
A young alcoholic's quest for change; as he develops the acceptance, determination and courage necessary to tackle his demons and regain control of his life.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Ryan Slattery
Watch Square One on Prime Video
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Square One was started as a personal project, along the lines of an expressive therapy exercise. At the time my intent was to stay busy, stay positive, and create structure for my thoughts. But along the way I began to realize the power of my message and its potential to inspire. So although I had started the film to help me organize my thoughts and reflect on my recent experience, the film was finished with the purpose of helping others, who may be stuck in the same place I was. I made Square One to inspire hope, honesty and courage to those who need it.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Square One addresses alcoholism, recovery and the human experience. It depicts personal struggle, but also a journey to resolve. We are all human, and none of us are perfect. Maybe there is alcoholism in your life. It may affect you personally, or by association of someone you know or love. Or maybe there is not alcoholism, but perhaps there are drugs, cigarettes, an eating disorder, etc. The list goes on and on.
Most of us have some sort of vise, some degree of self-loathing, or at the very least; some area of improvement we would like to see accomplished. My film tackles this idea in a way that I have never seen before. It says “it is OK to feel broken and powerless. It is OK to feel you have run out of options. It is OK to feel you need the help of others. It is OK to be you”.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
My film is as personal as it gets. I did not sit down and write a script, or brainstorm story lines or characters. Instead I lived an experience, and I relived it through reflection and creation of the film. Square One is about my personal honesty with myself, and to my family. The film’s existence makes me vulnerable, and shows me in good and bad times of my life.
But it is also so universal. I truly feel that nearly anyone can relate to it in some sense. Again, whether personally, or by association. It seems to strike a chord with everyone.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback has been incredible. Whether it is the touching reactions I see on audience members as the film screens, or the dozens of folks who have approached me after the show, or emailed me just to tell me how much they enjoyed the power of Square One. I have learned that so many people really are affected by alcoholism, and not often enough is there an artistic voice out there spreading positive vibes about recovery. I am truly grateful of all the festival acceptances and kind words from viewers.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback I have received has given me a surge of energy, and a strong sense of purpose. More so that I ever imagined, alcoholism and alike illness or habits are so extremely common and widespread. The success of Square One, and the consistent sincere feedback I have received has strengthened my mission to travel the country spreading my message.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I want to break the barrier that separates my film from the millions of folks who are unable to view it while it completes the festival circuit. I want to encourage people who live near these festivals to attend, where each and every time there is a wonderful discussion after the screening. I ask myself every day if I am doing the right thing by confining Square One to the festivals for the first year, rather than just releasing it online for everyone to view. Reason being is that I do hold onto hope that the message in my Square One can help at least a handful of people, who are currently in a situation where they could benefit from viewing it. But, I believe the approach I am taking will result in a broader exposure to the film, which in return I believe will benefit many.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I am currently entertaining conversations with distributors, journalists and festival directors. I would like to see Square One find a home on Netflix, where so many millions of people could view it. I look forward to releasing Square One to the public around April or May of 2017, and I plan to thoroughly research the very best way to go about this. It might end with me simply uploading it to YouTube or Vimeo, which is fine, but I will continue to explore options.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I just want to see that those in pain start to find a way out. Life is too beautiful and unique to waste it buried in addition. I want to see people find that little spark of hope that allows them to pause their busy lives long enough to reexamine and rebuild themselves. I have lived deep in alcoholism and I know what it is like to hate the way you act. I know what it is like to barely have the courage to make eye contact throughout the day because you are so embarrassed of how you are living.
Like I say every day, if this film encourages even one person to decide enough in enough, and do whatever they have to do to get control back; that would mean the world to me. Alcoholism is everywhere. It is real and it is ugly. It’s time we stop hiding or ignoring our struggle, and bind together to tackle it and be proud of ourselves for being brave enough to address it. Be who you are, love who you are, and don’t let alcoholism and addiction overpower your true self.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Look to your left, your right, front and back. Someone in that room with you is affected by alcoholism. We are everywhere.
I am so grateful for the recovery communities I have met in every city I have ever looked. I am so glad that Alcoholics Anonymous is so strong and so prevalent. But at the same time I have become just about the most Unanonymous Alcoholic I know. And I honestly feel my daily life is better because of it. The time that I have been sober and openly conversational about this, has been some of the best days of my life. It feels good to be honest, and comfortable with who you are. Why sweep it under the rug and be so selective about who you discuss your issues with? I’m not saying let’s all go around telling constant sob stories and spreading self-pity everywhere. But you know what? Tackle it. Confront it. End it…or at least try your hardest. Why be ashamed, silent and shackled when the truth is we all can relate in some way?
Would you like to add anything else?
I don’t automatically consider my sobriety permanent. I would be a fool to do so. As I explore and state in my film, this is a daily fight that I will have for the rest of my life. And the minute I think I have become so strong that I can slack a little, is the day I could very well fall right back into it. If I do, that’s not the end of my story; but I don’t want to go there. I guess my point is I know 3-years of sobriety is barely anything in relation to a lifetime. I don’t pretend to have all the answers or believe I am any better than anyone else. My film is not like that. I don’t preach, push facts, nor do I place shame on all the lucky folks who can drink socially, and without excessiveness. I just tell my story, hope that you can relate, and prove that things can get much better if you find a way out of the alcoholic routine.
Please visit my film’s facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/square1film/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Or my website at: www.square1film.com
Drop me a line. Let me know if you agree, disagree, have questions or just want to chat.
And please go see the film when I announce it is in a city near you.
What are you developing or working on now?
I am working on my next short film entitled “One Shot”, which is a suspenseful 8-minute narrative with a surprise twist at the end. Most importantly, I step out from in front of the camera, and stay where I belong; behind the camera!
Interview: September 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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Square One
A young alcoholic's quest for change; as he develops the acceptance, determination and courage necessary to tackle his demons and regain control of his life.
Length: 16:18 minutes
Director: Ryan Slattery
Producer:
Ryan Slattery
Writer:
Ryan Slattery
About the writer, director and producer:
Ryan Slattery is an award-winning first-time filmmaker, who wrote, directed, edited, produced and starred in Square One. It was created in the after hours of his career in construction management, and as a 3-month solo project with a $500 budget. Ryan recently founded RJ Slatts Productions (www.rjslatts.com), which offers film production services in the Santa Barbara area. Ryan is specifically intrigued by cinematic style music videos, and short film projects of both the narrative and documentary type.
Key cast:
Ryan Slattery
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Funders:
self-funded
Made in association with:
Moonlight Studios (Fort Collins, CO)
Release date:
The World Premiere was on May 14, 2016 @ the Livermore Valley Film Festival.
Square One will be released to public in April of 2017
Where can I watch it in the next month?
September 10, 2016 : Inspired Minds Film Festival, Sarasota FL
October 16, 2016: Awareness Film Festival, Los Angeles, CA