Austin Film Festival 2018 - The Give and Take
When eleven year old Amy finds an old eighties video game magazine she dials the phone number displayed on the back, and in a strange cosmic glitch gets connected to Caesar Spinone, a video game call center employee in the year 1989.
Interview with Writer/Director Anna Hopkins
Watch The Give and Take here:
Main image: Amy finds a vintage gaming magazine tucked away in a box of junk
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! I made this film to explore directing. I work primarily as an actor, and have written all my life. So I decided I wanted to take what I've learned over the years and move into a new phase. I had a bunch of story ideas, so I developed one that I felt could be accessible to a first time director like myself - one that was performance heavy, so I could do what I love most - work with actors. That said, I also love visual storytelling, but had much less experience in this. So I used this opportunity (this script was awarded a full production grant by bravoFACT!/Bell Media) to explore my own voice in how I would tell a story through images, and had a lot of fun building references, getting inspired, and collaborating with some incredible people.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you want to have a feel good, fun and fantastical 10 minutes of movie watching come check this one out! The Give and Take can be enjoyed by adults of course, but I'd also encourage kids to have a watch too. So bring the family!
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
This film is a little exploration of the inner workings of serendipity. The core of it being, in my opinion, simple human connection. I think when we take the time to connect, whether it be with a stranger, or someone close to us, it sets us off in a new direction in that moment, and that's what shapes our lives. I guess a personal theme within this film is that sometimes I look back on periods of my life and only in retrospect can see the accumulation of the little things people said or did which were integral to my success - success being subjective of course.
I definitely categorize a failure that offers a huge learning experience a success in a way. So sometimes I ask, if I had never had that teacher who encouraged me that one time, if I had not decided to move cities on a whim, if I had not gotten rejected from that school, or from that job I really wanted, only to become available for a life changing opportunity, what would my life look like? Each win in your life is made up of all these little moments which sometimes we are aware of, and sometimes we are not, and that's what this film is about.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script and film evolved in a ton of ways, almost exclusively in asking "how can we communicate this moment better". This question I think was a guiding star through the writing, filming, and editing process.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I'm getting a lot of people saying they had a smile plastered across their face from beginning to end. Which brings me a lot of joy!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
There's been a strong response from forums that cater to children's films. It's funny because now I'm really pursuing this avenue, but when I wrote it I hadn't thought of this audience. But this has really brought to light my own influences and my personal outlook. I guess I tend to have an imaginative and youthful point of view a lot of the time when it comes to storytelling. The two films I grew up with and watched every single day were ET and Labyrinth, and I'm only realizing now how much those films inspired this.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I'm looking to simply share the film with as many people as possible. So many wonderful and talented people worked on this film with me and deserve recognition! Kieran Crilly and Mark Waters are outstanding producers who provided so much support. Cinematographer Jordan Kennington really achieved such a sophisticated and beautiful look for both time periods while keeping it all cohesive, production designer Britt Skelly knocked it out of the park with building these two separate worlds, costume designer Amy Blaxland designed such real and grounded outfits for our characters and each frame was so beautifully enhanced by her choices, Aren Hansen's editing created so many fantastic moments that didn't exist before, and actors Macy Drouin and Matthew Gouveia are really the heartbeat of the film - such talented and open and joyful actors. It was an incredible team.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Anyone who responds to this film is all we need!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I welcome any reception of this film! It's an exciting feeling to be able to share this with an audience and really, I just hope they have a good time watching it.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Do you believe in fate?
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
The Give and Take
When eleven year old Amy finds an old eighties video game magazine she dials the phone number displayed on the back, and in a strange cosmic glitch gets connected to Caesar Spinone, a video game call center employee in the year 1989.
Length: 10 minutes
Director: Anna Hopkins
Producer: Kieran Crilly, Mark Waters, Anna Hopkins
Writer: Anna Hopkins
About the writer, director and producer:
Anna has worked extensively as an actor, from starring alongside Paul Giamatti in critically acclaimed "Barney’s Version" to playing fan favourites on "Shadowhunters", "Arrow" and "The Expanse". She is thrilled to be making her directorial debut with The Give and Take.
Kieran Crilly is an Oscar-winning producer and cinematographer who runs his own production company Havelock Films. Producing credits include critically acclaimed “Boost” and “Three Night Stand”.
Mark Waters serves as in house producer for Same Page Productions, credits include short film "Jeremy and Margot Make a Baby" which had its premiere at Austin Film Festival
Key cast: Matthew Gouveia, Macy Drouin
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): film festival directors, journalists
Twitter: @annabananahops
Instagram:@annabanana_hops
Where was this filmed? Toronto
Funders: bravoFACT! (Bell Media)
Screening details: Hollyshorts Film Festival, San Diego International Kids Film Festival, Boston International Kids Film festival, St. John's International Women's Film Festival, and Moscow Shorts International Film Festival.