Flickerfest - Your Call Is Important To Us
A short comedy that confirms our fears about what really goes on at call-centres when we’re asked, “Please hold?” We peek behind the scenes of one particularly specialised call-centre on that fateful day when big-shot CEO, Simon, makes the most important call of his life.
Interview with Writer/Director TJ Power
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! I had been wanting to direct for a number of years but, for whatever reason, never had the right time, opportunity or script… mainly the latter. As an actor, I spend much time peeking over the director’s shoulder and trying to pick up what I can as a silent apprentice. So the desire to make my own film has been brewing for quite some time and when the idea for YOUR CALL IS IMPORTANT TO US came to me, I could see that I had the time, opportunity AND the right script to direct my first short film.
The idea was inspired by actual events. While on hold to my insurance company, I found myself humming the call-waiting tunes of the various departments I was transferred/palmed-off to as the hours that I will never get back passed me by. I actually wrote the outline for the film while on hold & cursing them (seriously!) so really, I should be thanking them.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Because it’s funny! Anyone who has been on hold to a call centre in their life will feel the frustration, anger, surprise & shock that Simon goes through on his call. As a believer of film, art & expression, you have to believe in the effect the arts can have on us. Whether it’s an education or awareness of a world issue or simply a feeling that is left with us that can change the course of our day and therefore the rest of our lives. I want to leave people with that positive feeling. Life’s too short not to laugh.
(P.S. Personally, after making this film, every time I hear someone say “your call is important to us,” instead of feeling anger, I have a chuckle to myself.)
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The most universally relatable ideas don’t often come from someone saying, “I’m going to make something everyone will love.” They come from a personal need, interest or experience. Then, if they are true, you will be surprised how universal they are!
This film is the personal struggle of one man that is universally recognized by all. It’s about our expectation that our needs are more important than others’ and the merciless descent into helplessness that we let ourselves fall victim to when things don’t work out as we planned.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script didn’t evolve dramatically from the first draft as it is quite a simple idea and it needed to stay that way. There were some valuable changes made after table-reads early on, but later drafts carried minor changes only. The final cut only dropped about 4 lines of dialogue from the shooting script. The major evolution was in the discussions about cinematography, which really gave the film its flavour and feel.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We have received great feedback so far. Flickerfest is our world premiere and the response has been really positive. My favourite kind of feedback is definitely the laughter during a screening, not only at the ‘right’ moments but during moments you thought may have been too subtle to notice. No! Actually the BEST feedback is the horrified gasp halfway through!! No spoilers…
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
My film was not designed to radically change the world. I wanted to make people laugh and laugh at themselves. It achieves that and most of the post-screening discussions are about viewers’ personal experiences and reactions to the film.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I just want more people to have access to it, see it, enjoy it, laugh with it, and feel good. I made it for that purpose.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We are still at the early stages of our festival journey & strategizing where we would like this film to travel to. We would love to ultimately feature somewhere accessible such as a national airline entertainment selection in conjunction with our online release.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
If its audience can have a good belly laugh and then say: “yeah, that almost happened to me one time,” I’d be happy.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
“Do we really need to lose our sh%t over a stupid phone call?” or maybe, “Hang on… is this a documentary?”
Would you like to add anything else?
Just to say thank you for helping film makers like myself get our work and our passion out there to the world.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Our producer, Riley Nottingham, is now kicking serious goals. He’s working for Radio Karate in Melbourne and doesn’t look like slowing down anytime soon.
We are planning another short film for production in NSW later this year and I am developing two feature scripts for a production company in Los Angeles.
Interview: January 2018
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIQ+, scifi, horror, world cinema. 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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Your Call Is Important To Us
A short comedy that confirms our fears about what really goes on at call-centres when we’re asked, “Please hold?” We peek behind the scenes of one particularly specialised call-centre on that fateful day when big-shot CEO, Simon, makes the most important call of his life.
Length: 14 minutes 34 seconds
Director: TJ Power
Producer: Riley Nottingham
Writer: TJ Power
About the writer, director and producer:
TJ Power hails from Sydney, Australia, is a 2008 WAAPA graduate & has starred in such films as Eat Pray Love & The Sapphires & TV shows such as Offspring. He was a finalist of the AIF Heath Ledger Scholarship in 2011 & 2015 and now works between Australia & Los Angeles, California. Your Call is Important to Us is TJ's directorial debut.
Riley Nottingham is a 2011 Queensland Actors Playhouse graduate & has produced such series as Hitstroke FM (Virgin Airlines & TVNZ), We are Darren and Riley (Screen QLD) and most recently has worked in the producer research team of True Story with Hamish & Andy.
Key cast: Brent Hill, David James, Leith McPherson, Andy Lee, Gig Clarke, Elise Jansen
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): all of the above
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourcallisimportanttousfilm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tjpoweroz
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
FLICKERFEST, Bondi
Tuesday 16th Jan @ 8:45pm
Friday 19th Jan @ 8:45pm
Sunday 21st Jan @ 4:30pm
It then goes on the road in Flickerfest's National Tour 2018.
More festivals to be announced soon!