To Autumn
A high school teenager going through a life crisis takes a cancer patient on the last ride of her life before she dies.
Interview with Writer/Director Kyle Trytsman
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
In 2014, my grandfather was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, on his birthday - after two years battling with heart complications and other cancers. He was dear to me not only for being my grandfather, but when I was born, both my parents were too young to look after me, he then adopted me as his son while my parents went to university to study.
He was due to pass away in June that year, as the days crept by, his therapies were getting increasingly expensive. Unfortunately, my father also fell very ill parallel to my grandfather’s terminal illness and had to start paying for his own medical bills as well as my grandfather’s, resulting in finances being extremely tight. My parents resorted to the help of a hospice. A non-profit organisation that helps people who are terminally ill with FREE services and medication.
They were a tremendous help to my family and to my grandfather who passed away peacefully in their care. It is unfortunate that a lot of people are unaware of their services or just hesitant to ask for help. I am forced to deal with what I feel - In my opinion, I find that if one is dying, one should have a right to die with comfort and peace for free. People spend exorbitant amounts of money to die. This organisation highly motivated me to make a film promoting their availability to our society.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
My ultimate audience reception goal is to be broad and try open as many eyes as possible, concerning my beliefs about dying without costs and the availability of hospices around the world and how they can help my fellow human. Hospices also rely on donations from the public – promoting their name, could also bring an influx of resources for them.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The over-arching theme of To Autumn revolves around how human beings are conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments can often catch us unaware – beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one and how we, as human beings, can learn from these events/moments (Inspired by Kent Nerburn’s “The cab Ride I’ll Never Forget”). How, in this day and age, we don’t appreciate one another as life is lived too fast and inconsiderately. Ultimately we need more kindness and gentleness than technology and greed.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
To Autumn was the type of film, due to its inspirers, that did not change over the entire process of production. This script was altered slightly after each draft, but only the formatting, never the actual content. The entire film was set to be shot in a dreamlike slow motion narrative with the character telling the story in the form of a voice over and that is exactly what we achieved. Scheduled to film over the course of twelve hours, the crew was so dedicated and prepared that we finished in half that time. The post production process was where we had our only hiccup – colour grading. The film is set in the season of autumn and so we opted for a stylised brown/golden mood and tone to the visuals.
Unfortunately our colourist could not import the footage into the software and we had to grade it in a different program that didn’t prove to be as good as we would have like. Other than that, the rest of the process was smooth as we did not record sound on set, so there was no need to sync clips. We ended up finishing a day before our set deadline with a product that looked exactly how we envisioned it from the scriptwriting process.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
To Autumn was made while I was still in film school, and was played for the student body and lecturers. By the end of the film I had people come to me with tears in their eyes – thanking me for making something so beautiful. I got home to find messages on my Facebook from people that I didn’t even speak to, congratulating me.
My father, who is now healthy and very well, took it to work to show people and came back home saying his colleagues reacted just like the student body that first saw it. My family hold it the closest to them as it is dedicated to my grandfather, it created an emotional bond between us all.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback was incredibly overwhelming, yet it motivated and challenged me to reach more people, hence this submission.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Ultimately - to create awareness of what the film portrays an emotionally touch people as it is categorised as a Public Service Announcement. Secondly for exposure as a young filmmaker and fresh graduate into the industry.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Distributors.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like audiences to feel as though their eyes have been opened, and touched emotionally – making a difference in others’ lives by supporting hospices and this with terminal illness who cannot afford to die comfortably.
Two days ago my dog was in agony due to back pain. My mother and I took him to the vet to get him treated (he is very well now), but when we were in the waiting area, a woman walked in who seemed as the she was the epitome of poverty stricken. She donated a lot of the little money she had to a dog that was hit by a car, and a small gesture like that impacted me and reminded me why I am a filmmaker. Ultimately it is what inspired me to submit To Autumn and impact the lives of other in a larger scale.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Why do people spend so much money to be able to die in peace or comfort? Treatment should be free or at least reduced incredibly.
Would you like to add anything else?
Inspired by Kent Nerburn’s “The cab Ride I’ll Never Forget” and Denali: A Tribute to a Man’s Best Friend.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I, the writer and director, am a freelance filmmaker working on corporate adverts and short films. Our producer has started her own Pilate’s studio in order to get a stable income flow. Our cinematographer is getting married in Mexico. Our editor and sound designer is furthering his studies. Our lead actor is in his graduate year of film school. Our supporting actress, and grandmother of our producer, is retired comfortably. Our supporting actor is the father of our cinematographer – supporting his son in Mexico.
February 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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To Autumn
A high school teenager going through a life crisis takes a cancer patient on the last ride of her life before she dies.
Length: 9:10
Director: Kyle Trytsman
Producer: Veronique Ellis
Writer: Kyle Trytsman (Inspired by a short film and short story).
About the writer, director and producer:
Director:
Began working with the stage - Acting and Directing. Enrolled in AFDA Durban School of film, majoring in directing and writing. Now a freelance filmmaker.
Producer:
Competitive gymnast, competing for world title. Performed in local musicals, Enrolled in AFDA Durban, majoring in producing. Pilates instructor and seeking a position in a production company.
Key cast:
(In order of appearance)
Father – Eduard Velthuysen
High School Boy - Joshua Harris
Autumn – Liz Ellis
Dallas – Jack Jack (Jack Russell dog)
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Exposure Personalities – Producers, Directors, Distributors
Funders: Non Budgeted film
Made in association with: AFDA Durban: School of Film, Television and Live Performance
Where can I see it in the next month?
Online: Vimeo. Also, will be entered into Durban International Film Festival.