Flickerfest - The Intentions of F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Intentions of F. Scott Fitzgerald is a dark existentialist comedy following two weary hitmen as they discuss “The Great Gatsby”.
Interview with Writer/Director Shaun & Jay Perry
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
The inspiration for the film came from a combination of things. The first being – Shaun had just finished reading the book, “The Great Gatsby” and found F. Scott Fitzgerald’s exploration into the American dream and the consequences of it mind blowing.
The second being, we had just swan dived into the heart warming world of the 9 to 5 grind.
Our parents had moved to the United Kingdom to live and so we were out in the real world, earning a wage, paying bills, paying rent etc.
Shaun was working at a local cinema, and I was working at Woolworths. While it wasn’t your down and dirty blue collar jobs – We found with routine and repetition, selling tickets, scanning groceries, ripping stubs and discussing the weather, there was a monotony to it.
It caused us to wonder what other jobs, no matter the circumstance, whether you are a skydiver or what, with routine and repetition, does it begin to stagnate over time? And so we developed a short script throwing the monotony into the hands of two hitmen on yet another job. We thought it would be interesting/funny to see a day in the life of these guys and attempt to intertwine not only the themes of The Great Gatsby but also the theme of routine and repetition. Also, we decided to throw a pug into the mix, everyone loves a pug right?
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
We have always enjoyed films that can be heavy in themes, but still be balanced with humour. We think it’s good to have a laugh, but also have something to chew on afterwards on your drive home. So really, that’s what we hope we’ve achieved with this film.
We had a vast amount of influences when writing the script, executing the principal photography, and editing. We looked to films from Directors Martin Mcdonagh and John Mcdonagh, “In Bruges”, “The Guard” when in the writing stage. We love the witty dialogue they seem to form with their lead actors – the chemistry and also how they manage to seamlessly blend comedy and drama together. They build dark comedic tones in their narratives so brilliantly. Therefore, if you like those films or have seen Martin Mcdonagh’s latest film “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”, give this film a go.
Wes Anderson and Jim Jarmusch also influenced us, “The Royal Tenenbaums”, “Coffee and Cigarettes”. Although they are two very different filmmakers we find their films, especially the way they are shot so interesting and aesthetically pleasing. They also add a lot of humour/quirkiness into the cinematography itself, which we find so effective and have tried to emulate in our film.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
“The Intentions of F. Scott Fitzgerald” delves into the human condition following two criminals as they suffer the effects of the ‘9-5 grind’. The Film conveys, in a quirky way to draw your eyes away from the horizon and have a look at where you are. Especially in today’s society, all you have to do is have a cheeky scroll through Instagram or Facebook and feel like what you have is not enough. It is easy to constantly sacrifice the present in a desperate bid for something better in the future. Always chasing that end result and never fully being satisfied. We all do it from time to time, and while it can be beneficial sometimes, it can also lead to a life lived without any appreciation of who you are, or were.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The concept was first written by Shaun as a short story, and after it received great feedback Shaun and I decided to turn it into a short film. We took turns in writing drafts, and after close to 12 we decided we should probably start shooting something.
We both have quite similar tastes in films and music so figuring out how we wanted to go about it wasn’t hard. However, it was difficult to nail down what we wanted specifically, because there was so much we wanted to throw in.
They say when making a film, there’s three writing processes. The first being in pre-production. The second, when you are filming, and the last being in the edit. The edit is really when you know what works and what doesn’t. It’s a pretty apt saying and was definitely true with our film.
The edit resulted in a variety of different cuts. The first few being well over 30 minutes in length. Ultimately though we think we have sculpted the film in a direction that we are satisfied with.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
It is still early days, the film is yet to premiere in Australia (Flickerfest being the premiere) but it has had great reactions in the US and Europe so far - We have been lucky enough to win some awards. We won awards at the Los Angeles independent Film Festival awards, as well as the European Cinematography awards.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
We have been surprised, relieved and excited with the feedback so far. The film had a production duration of close to 12 months. We shot over weekends. So when you spend so long on a film it’s hard not to become numb to the concept and to the humour. We haven’t had any negative feedback so far but everyone is different. Shaun and I both embrace constructive criticism, anything to sharpen and develop our writing.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Well obviously I guess we hope that it provides the film with greater exposure. We want as many people to see the film as possible, hopefully audiences relate to it, find the narrative and it’s quirky concept engaging, funny, memorable, and thought provoking.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
The film is still in its early days so at the moment we are just hoping to get into some great Film Festivals in Australia and abroad.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Well the obvious being, we really hope the audience enjoys the film. We hope they laugh at some of the more ludicrous moments, but also leave the cinema chewing on some of the deeper themes.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What was the actual Intentions of F. Scott Fitzgerald?
No, no, I think maybe – Are you finding that you’re detaching yourself from the present in a bid for a better future?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Shaun and I are both working on different concepts. I guess the script that is finished first will be our next film. Both our concepts still maintain similar tones to The Intentions of F. Scott Fitzgerald though. We thoroughly enjoy making comedies with a lasting message.
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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The Intentions of F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Intentions of F. Scott Fitzgerald is a dark existentialist comedy following two weary hitmen as they discuss “The Great Gatsby”.
Length: 17 mins
Director: Shaun & Jay Perry
Producer: Rhys Sherring
Writer: Shaun & Jay Perry
About the writer, director and producer:
Shaun and Jay Perry are 25 years old and living in Melbourne. Shaun is currently studying a degree in Professional Writing at Swinburne University, and Jay has completed a bachelor of Screen Production at the University of Canberra.
Key cast: Lawrie Fidles, Glenn Luck, Mark Reed
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Social media handles:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/intentionsoffscottfitzgerald
Other: www.imdb.com/title/tt7225380
Made in association with: Woolshed Imaging & Illum
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Flickerfest, TBC after Flickerfest