Melbourne Underground Film Festival - Curated Illusions
After an accident leaves her with amnesia, Skye Reed tries to use her social media account to rediscover who she is. But when the online version of her life doesn’t reflect her reality, her world begins to crumble as she realises she doesn’t like the person she truly is.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Rachael Belle Myers
Watch Curated Illusions here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I want to help others develop and grow and the best way I know how to do that is through my art. Which is why the common theme in all my films is self-reflection. I decided to make this film when someone made an assumption about me and my life based on my social media accounts. Upon scrolling through my own wall to determine why that was, I realised that I had inadvertently created a persona for myself that although still true, it was only one piece of who I truly am.
By putting myself in someone else’s shoes and looking at my own profile, I started to make assumptions about myself based on what I saw. It was an interesting exercise and I wanted to explore that further in a film. So Curated Illusions was born and I hope that it inspires other to look from the outside in as well.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you’re a social media user or you find that you are a little too connected to your mobile phone, I guarantee you will find a part of yourself in this film. Why should you watch it? Because it ends with a big, strong and powerful message that I believe will change the way you see yourself and the way you use your phone. I’m not going to tell you what it is. You’ll have to watch it to find out!
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The film deals with three major themes. The first is self-reflection: what would happen if you looked at your own profile from another person’s point of view. The second is addiction: how an obsession with social media and creating a curated version of yourself can drive a wedge between you and those you love. The third and most powerful is impact: how the unsafe use of mobile devices due to social media addiction can be fatal.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
During pre-production, there was a lot of debate about the ending of the film. Although it packs the punch that we’re after and delivers the message on point, it is by no means a happy ending. After much deliberation and reworking of the final scene, I returned to the original ending because it was the only one I felt in my heart would do the story the justice it deserves.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback I’ve received to date has been positive. I’ve been told that the film effectively delivers its poignant message and definitely leaves the audience thinking about the story long after it has ended. I’ve also had a few people share with me that since viewing the film, they have thought twice about their behaviour on social media and have tried to reduce their reliance on their mobile devices. This is music to my ears as this is the outcome I was hoping for. To inspire and change behaviour for the better.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
By watching this film, some may assume that I am against social media. I am not. I absolutely love it! But I just think there is a very fine line between sharing the best version of yourself on social media and creating a modified version of yourself on social media. I think this line is easily crossed due to the lack of education out there on how to manage our online profiles. We’re not really taught how to conduct ourselves in this space. So we do what we can to look amazing. But that is usually then followed by comparing ourselves to others and changing things about ourselves in order to compete in a competition that no one else realises they’re in. I feel that delivering this message in the way that I have done so, was the best and most effective way to get us to reflect on our own lives and behaviour on social media.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I made this film so I could spread a message. A message that I hope reaches far and wide and one that I have faith will inspire others.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Anyone and everyone! I would love for this film to be screened in front of as many people as possible and shared through as many avenues as possible.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like the film to empower its viewers to think twice before posting on social media. Don’t let it affect your mental health. But most importantly, it is imperative that we as a society look at our reliance on our mobile devices and how our constant connection to it can potentially be fatal.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What is your own personal Curated Illusion on social media? Is the photo of the dog you always pose with actually yours? Are all the instagram snaps of your cups of coffee actually consumed? How many selfies did it take to get that one perfect natural looking shot of you by the pool? My personal curated illusion is the amount of pizza I eat. There are constantly photos of pizza, but am I really eating them all?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Aside from doing the festival circuit for Curated Illusions over the coming months, I’m currently working on writing another short and in final edits of a feature film.
Interview: October 2017
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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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Curated Illusions
After an accident leaves her with amnesia, Skye Reed tries to use her social media account to rediscover who she is. But when the online version of her life doesn’t reflect her reality, her world begins to crumble as she realises she doesn’t like the person she truly is.
Length: 11min 52sec
Director: Rachael Belle Myers
Producer: Rachael Belle Myers
Writer: Rachael Belle Myers
Key cast: Ali Woodall, Nadim Accari, Katie McConnell, Rob Holland
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): distributors, film festival directors
Social media handles: #CuratedIllusionsFilm #aSocialLie #JadedBelleProductions
Facebook: www.facebook.com/curatedillusionsfilm
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rachaelbellemyers/
Where will the film screen in the next month?
The film will have its Melbourne Premiere Sunday 29 October at 7pm at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival.