The morning of her mother's funeral, Angela still can't find the words to the eulogy. She receives help from some unexpected furry friends in this original musical film.

Interview with Writer/Director Shannon McInnis

Watch ANGELAAA here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

This film was created as my senior thesis project for my senior year as a Film major at UW-Milwaukee.

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

It's not often you see puppets or musicals in the short film world, and this film is both. It's funny, sad and reflective and uses puppetry and music to enhance the story told through cinematic language. It's a culmination of arts.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

While it may be true that not everyone loses their parents at a young age - we all know someone who has or have been affected by death in other ways. There are many different ways of dealing with such a serious topic, and sometimes all we want is to pretend and escape into another impossible world, if only for a moment. It's the same concept of being a musical performer, giving a character to a puppet, or going to the movies to forget for a while. I like to create films where the audience can get enveloped in another, cinematic world that seems impossible at first, but reveals itself to have just as many truths as reality.

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

The character of Angela has 'grown up' so to speak since she was first written. The film was originally about a high school theater performer, but there's something even more tragic about a grown woman whose chosen to do theater as a career having to deal with death as adult as opposed to a teenager where the 'childish' response of imagining singing puppets to run away from reality is almost expected. The film went through a few drafts too where the puppets were a lot meaner and blunt - sort of a juxtaposition where the fact that they're singing monsters is pretty fantastic, but they're singing "Face it, she's gone" a little more directly so even in her fantasy world Angela can't escape. We felt the fact they were singing about her mom's death was already pretty reality-grounding for Angela so they didn't need to rub it in... :)

What type of feedback have you received so far?

A lot of people cry when they see it because it makes them think of someone they've lost or a situation where words couldn't really express how they were feeling. The cinematographer Ryan did an amazing job of making everything look cinematic and beautiful so it adds to the "high drama" of poetic tradgedy. There's nothing romantic about losing a loved one, but if you can comfort people with a beautiful story about it and some fluffy singing monsters to make you smile then I think people have reacted the way I hope they will when they see it :)

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Only in a necassary, humbling way. I never want to think that I've figured out how to make good movies and have stopped learning. Whenever I feel it's finished people challenge me by pointing out structural or even some technical flaws that you don't see until you're cutting the film together. I'm grateful for the people who keep me in check though, so their challenges are welcome to help me grow.

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

My favorite part about the film industry is so much is based on connections. I think a site that highlights films and allows people to see work where they can potentially reach out to one another and discuss is a really cool modern tool in the film world. I'm hoping to get some feedback if people like it, otherwise I'm exciting to share the story and feel a little proud that it was picked for such a cool site!

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

I really hope film festival directors get connected to it - I love attending screenings in new cities and meeting new filmmakers there. I hope it finds homes at festivals or private screenings for music organizations or groups!

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

I hope it is well received and considered to be well-made. I hope it touches people and they can enjoy a brief break from reality for a good laugh and cry.

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

What do you think the ending of the film means?

Would you like to add anything else?

One of my favorite parts about the film is the fact that it's a musical. I love bringing music and singing into film so if anyone wants to chat about the musical aspect I'm all ears! :)

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I want to continue writing musicals and am right now writing a script that involves vocal acapella music. There's an independent a capella scene that isn't all pop music and Anna Kendrick that I hope to be able to showcase in a narrative film.

Interview: September 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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ANGELAAA

The morning of her mother's funeral, Angela still can't find the words to the eulogy. She receives help from some unexpected furry friends in this original musical film.

Length: 8:06

Director: Shannon McInnis

Producer: Kurt Raether

Writer: Shannon McInnis

About the writer, director and producer:

Shannon McInnis (Writer/Director): Shannon is a recent film school graduate who works as a commercial producer for SRH Marketing. She loves film, music and the arts.

Kurt Raether (Producer): Kurt is the Executive Director of Production and founding partner of SRH Marketing. He directs and produces film and commercial work.

Key cast: Stephanie Staszak

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Film Festival Directors, Film Festival Programmers, Journalists, Collaborators

Social media handles:

Facebook: Shannon McInnis

Twitter: @ShannonMcInnis

Instagram: @shannograms42

Other:

Funders: SRH Marketing

Made in association with: SRH Marketing

Where can I see it in the next month?

Lady Filmmakers Festival (Beverly Hills CA) - Sept 30th at 6:30 pm

Milwaukee Film Festival (Milwaukee, WI) - Oct 7th at 7:00 pm