Hollyshorts - An Obstinate Man
When a stubborn man experiences a near fatal accident and refuses to go the hospital, he chooses to spend what could be his final moments searching for his wife.
Interview with Writer/Director Jaclyn Noel
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I love making films that I’d want to watch. I like films that are entertaining but still have moments of poignancy. The film is inspired by true events of a family friend who survived a near death accident. The story had always resonated with me because of how absurd it was, but also the tragedy of it. Whenever I make something I hope I find an audience that has a similar taste in films.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I think the main character is interesting to watch in a train wreck sort of way. He’s unpredictable and self sabotaging, while at the same time very universal.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The film is about a man who is stuck in his life and is too proud to allow anyone to help.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
While the film was inspired by true events, the characters in the film are completely fictionalized. A lot of the development throughout the course of writing and shooting was with tone. I wanted to strike a balance between dramatic and very dryly comedic, so everything from the initial writing to the music in post production had that in mind.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback has all been really positive. Just this morning I woke up to a message from someone I’ve never met saying they saw it at a festival and really enjoyed it.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Most of the feedback has been what I was hoping for.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We just began our festival run and are hoping to get more exposure.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Right now we’re hoping to get the film to more programmers. It’s a great little film and we really would love for more people to see it.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
The character isn’t very likable and I was hoping that through intimate moments that we’re alone with the character we’d begin to have empathy for him. I feel like a lot of the time we can write people off as just bad or mean and what I wanted to do with this piece is show that a lot of the time anger comes out of sadness and frustration.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Did you ever have a near death experience and did it change you in any way?
Would you like to add anything else?
Thank you so much for this opportunity!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I’m working with many of the same key creatives on another short!
Interview: August 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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An Obstinate Man
When a stubborn man experiences a near fatal accident and refuses to go the hospital, he chooses to spend what could be his final moments searching for his wife.
Length: 10 minutes
Director: Jaclyn Noel
Producer: Nicholas K. Young, Christopher Abeel
Writer: Jaclyn Noel
About the writer, director and producer: (25 words each)
Jaclyn Noel is a writer/director getting her MFA at Columbia University in Screenwriting.
Nicholas K. Young is a writer/producer based in Los Angeles.
Christopher Abeel is a writer/producer getting his MFA at Columbia University in Producing.
Key cast: Jason Salmon, Emily Jackson, David Rysdahl
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): film festival directors, journalists
Funders: Steve Young
Made in association with: Columbia University
Where can I see it in the next month?
We just started sending the film out. Stay tuned!