2018 NYC Web Fest - Clusterf*ck
A romantic comedy about not knowing.
Interview with Director/Creator Mazi Khaligh
Watch Clusterf*ck on YouTube
Main image: (Left to Right) Kjartan Hewitt, Tommie-Amber Pirie, Glenda McInnis, and Andy McQueen are the cast of Clusterfuck.
Congratulations! Why did you make your webseries?
Many reasons but primarily for the love of filmmaking. I had a desire to tell a personal story that hopefully many people could relate to. To share the skill and talent of the team with the world in order to further more filmmaking opportunities in the future. And last but not least, it was cathartic to create a show based on a personal experience. Kind of like therapy LOL
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this webseries?
To see that you’re not alone in your relationship problems. Everyone out here is trying to figure it out and we’re all falling flat on our faces. Also, you’ll 100% laugh a lot and maybe even feel something.
How do personal and universal themes work in your webseries?
Nothing more universal than love and the process of trying to find the right person to be with. We all need companionship whether it be of the romantic or friendly variety. Personally, the theme of “growing up” resonates. The main character goes through a learning process of having to realize how selfish his actions often are and he must learn to consider others before his own selfish wants and needs, especially when those wants and needs cause unnecessary suffering to people he cares about.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Very organically and very heavily. I wrote about 7 drafts over the course of about 5 years, but when the actors signed on, he opened up the script to them and encouraged them to pitch him changes. The series is HEAVILY improvised. It was vital for the direction that the actors “owned” their own characters, right down to costume choices. Our mantra during filming for the actors was “You’re in charge of the words that come out of your mouth.” This technique fostered more authentic portrayals. In fact, lead male actor Kjartan Hewitt earned himself a writing credit for his work on refining the script leading up to filming.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Thankfully, very positive. Many acceptances into festivals. A few nominations as well as a win for Best Actor. Viewers are reacting positively to the very high production values and super relatable characters and storyline.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It has confirmed our suspicions that the series is relatable to a lot of youth out there. When giving the quick pitch I often say “this is a show about a group of twenty-somethings who drink too much, make mistakes, have sex and hurt each other's feelings.” More than a few times I've received the response, “so basically my life”.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
More eyeballs, baby! We made a show. We are very proud of the work. We believe it to be of premium quality. We just want to share it with as many people as possible!
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this webseries’s message?
At this point, mainly journalist and perhaps distributors. Basically, anyone with know-how and resources to attract more eyeballs. Monetization, although a nice bonus, isn’t a major priority. We’re just looking to get eyeballs on the work. Meeting with producers, buyers etc and people with access to funding is more for future seasons.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this webseries to have?
We’d like this show to entertain and also to help young people going through relationship drama realize that they are not alone. We also hope it helps some viewers out there to “grow up” a little and begin to realize that when you start to prioritize the feelings of your friends it can only benefit you in the long run. Love begets love. A million or two views would be nice as well. ;)
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this fwebseries?
Can friends have sex and still be cool?
Would you like to add anything else?
I think we covered quite a bit of ground. :)
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Party People - a long format dramedy series about the drug, booze and sex filled behind the scenes world of nightclub and music festival promotion.
Foreign Soil - a based on a true story long format adventure/drama series about an Iranian family’s journey to escape Iran during the Iran/Iraq war, set against the present-day struggles of refugees trying to assimilate into western culture and navigate through the trials and tribulations of daily life as a newcomer in a strange and foreign land.
Interview: October 2018
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, 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
CLUSTERFUCK
A romantic comedy about not knowing.
Length: 8 Episodes
Director: Mazi Khalighi
Producer: PRODUCER -Glenda MacInnis, CO-PRODUCER - Mazi Khalighi
Writer: CO-WRITERS Mazi Khalighi and Kjartan Hewitt
About the writer, director and producer:
GLENDA MCINNIS - Glenda MacInnis has produced and starred in the short film Later, Baby and Clusterf*ck. She can also be seen on series such as Bitten, Lost Girl, 12 Monkeys and American Gods.
MAZI KHALIGHI - Mazi Khalighi is an Iranian/Canadian filmmaker who immigrated to Canada as a refugee at the age of four. Through his production company, Verbal Pictures, Mazi has written, directed and produced several award-winning short films, web series and a growing number of music videos.
KJARTAN HEWITT - Kjartan Hewitt has written five feature-length plays and while earning his bachelor of English Lit he worked under directors
Edgar Wright, Bennett Miller, Don McKellar and Kevin McDonald. At 31-years-old he's been a part of 70+ professional productions.
Key cast: Tommie-Amber Pirie is a Canadian Screen Award-nominated actress known for her role as Claire Webb on CBC's Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays. She can also be seen in series such as CTV's The Listener, Showcase's Lost Girl, Syfy's Warehouse 13 and Killjoys, as well as multiple feature films.
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Buyers, Sales Agents, Journalists.
Social media handles:
Facebook: @teamcluster
Instagram: @clusterFCKseries
Hashtags you use: #TeamCluster
Where was this filmed?: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Funders: IndieGogo! Made in association with: Verbal Pictures Canada
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?: Episodes 1-3 have launched and the 8 episode series will be available for binging, in it's entirety,
by October 30 at https://www.facebook.com/teamcluster/