Neon ghosts dreaming in dead landscapes.

Interview with Writer/Director Matthew Wade

Watch Plena Stellarum here:

Congratulations! Why did you make this film?

I shot a feature film, "How the Sky Will Melt," on Super 8mm in late 2012 and it took me 15 months to raise the funds to transfer the film (to digital files) to edit it and do post work on. In that limbo, I was going crazy and needed an outlet for my energy; something I could do by myself. That’s why I began work on "Plena Stellarum.” It was an organic, experimental process that distracted me from the waiting I had to endure with my feature.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

I’d imagine you are here to watch something you’ve never seen before.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I guess the personal side is that it deals with a kind of insanity based on waiting and feeling trapped in a loop (life, love, a project, whatever). Universally, I’m not sure. I’m surprised so many people have responded so well to such a personal experiment.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

I had a loose story, never written down, that I used to thread the pieces together, but the film was built scene by scene as I went. Each new sequence or environment inspired the thing that followed. I also started working on this film while still living in LA, working as a freelance commercial animator. I finished it after moving back to Boise, ID, to focus more on making personal projects. The headspace I was in when I started, in survival and work mode, was very different from where I was when editing and working with Jacob on sound design, which was more clear-headed and focused.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Very positive. Even people who don’t “get it,” which is something I don’t believe in, because it’s meant to be experienced, not understood, is that they still enjoyed the ride.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Surprised, yes. It was a very personal project that I was using to work through some stuff. That so many people have accepted it and felt something in it is icing.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

Any new eyes on a film are good.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

People interested in championing atypical works. Animation in the US is seen as a children’s entertainment format, but I’m interested in using that art form to make stuff more serious and interesting stuff. I get it, it costs a lot of money to make animation, but I’m in a position to be able to do it myself, so I try and make the kind of work I want to see. The audience for that is small, now, but they do exist.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

It’s been on the circuit for almost a year playing all over the world. It’s already surpassed my expectations.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

What did you feel while watching this?

Would you like to add anything else?

Go see more art films. Go see stuff that you aren’t used to seeing, and try to experience them not as entertainment, but as engagement. It’s more fulfilling.

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

The core team, myself, Sara Lynch, and Jacob Kinch are developing a new feature film we hope to shoot next winter in the Pacific Northwest.

Interview: January 2017

_______________________________________________________________________________

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

_______________________________________________________________________________

Plena Stellarum

Neon ghosts dreaming in dead landscapes.

Length: 11:14

Director: Matthew Wade

Producer: Sara Lynch, Matthew Wade

Writer: Matthew Wade

About the writer, director and producer:

Matthew Wade, director:

Matthew Wade is an award-winning filmmaker, illustrator, and animator whose work has been screened and published around the world.

Sara Lynch, producer:

Sara Lynch is an actress and producer who has stared in "How the Sky Will Melt” (2015), "6 Dynamic Laws for Success...” (2017), and several short films."

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Distributors.

Funders:

Sky Melt (my production company).

Where can I see it in the next month?

Slamdance and some places we aren’t able to announce quite yet.