Haley is about to play her first game of Dungeons and Dragons, but she finds someone standing in the way of her fun.

Interview with Writer/Director Mikaela McParlan

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I made my film partially because I wanted to make something that showed my experience as a woman in the geek community, and partially because I wanted to share what it’s like to play Dungeons and Dragons. I wanted to encourage more people to try nerdy things, and to encourage geeks to be more accepting of new people.

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

This film is a peek into the world of those who play Dungeons and Dragons, which can be both fantastically epic, and plain old goofy. I really think more people should try playing, because there aren’t a lot of experiences like it. The amount of freedom and creativity Roll Playing Games provide is so fun.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Like I mentioned, this film is based on my experience as a female nerd growing up, and I know my personal experience in this realm is not uncommon. If you’ve ever heard the term ‘fake geek girl’ then you know what I’m talking about. It’s the idea that girls pretend to like nerdy things to get attention. Women in general are not taken seriously by the world. I like to describe this film as Dungeons & Dragons & Feminism.

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

I am lucky to have an extremely talented best friend, Madeline Johnson, who helped me develop the characters into what they are on screen. I spent several months on rewrites and preproduction, but I think working with the actors on set was what really solidified the story. Working with Mark Penzine who played the Villain Zane, was especially helpful. He helped myself, and the rest of the crew, see the character as more than just the antagonist, but as someone who is afraid, and someone you can sympathize with.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Game Master was accepted into the Chicago Feminist Film Festival, which was the first place where people who didn’t go to my school, and who didn’t work on the film, told me that they enjoyed it. This was really the kick in the butt I needed to make me want to write and produce another film.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I have also received feedback that made me think the people who needed to see this film most perhaps didn’t get the point. I’ve had male nerds ask me ‘Do you actually play Dnd?’, a question I feel really encapsulates the issue I was trying to address in this story.

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

I hope to find more festivals at which I can show the film, and people who might be interested joining me and others on my next project, whatever that might be.

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

I think festival directors and journalists, just to get the film out into the world, but also producers who’d be interested in working on more feminist film in the future.

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

Obviously, as a young film maker about to go into the world, I’d love this film to have a huge impact and really positive reception. But realistically, I’d just like to to plant a new idea into the minds of the people who I made it for, and perhaps spark some conversations.

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

Should the geek community be more open to new people?

Would you like to add anything else?

I’d like to thank everyone who helped make this film happen, from my professors to the department heads to the PAs. I could not be more happy with how Game Master turned out and it’s all thanks to them.

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Most of the key creatives are focusing on their last semester at Columbia College. Kyle Johannsen, Monica Mejia, and myself are involved with the Practicum program at school, and Alex Marshall just finished up her semester in LA, while Jeff Borowiak is already working in Chicago as an editor and Motion Graphics Designer.

Interview: March 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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Game Master

Haley is about to play her first game of Dungeons and Dragons, but she finds someone standing in the way of her fun.

Length: 7:13

Director: Mikaela McParlan

Producer: Kyle Johannsen

Writer: Mikaela McParlan

About the writer, director and producer:

Mikaela McParlan grew up in the cold north of Duluth, Minnesota, playing make-believe with her friends. One day they picked up a video camera and started putting that make-believe on tape, and Mikaela’s love for film grew from there.

Kyle Johannsen is a Film Producing senior at Columbia College Chicago. He has worked in various positions, and has also worked on several independent commercials and feature films. After graduation, he is moving to New York to continue his career.

Key cast:

Khloe Janel as Haley

Mark Penzine as Zane

Kevin Orzel as Kyle

Caroline Sandrell as Sarah

Katie Zutter as Maiden

Social media handles:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Game-Master-490706901129377/

Other: https://rosieisavampire.wixsite.com/gamemasterepk

Looking for buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists

Made in association with: Columbia College Chicago

Where can I see it in the next month?

Nowhere currently. It will be showing at the Duluth Superior Film Festival this summer, and then going online.