Tropfest - Cannot Predict Now
Jess prepares to move out of her childhood bedroom as her little sister Emily prepares to move in.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Nikki Richardson
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! Cannot Predict Now came about when my friend (and actor in the film) Jess and I caught up and decided we wanted to make something for the Tropfest deadline. We wanted to make something short, cheap and simple that would take place in one location with two characters and could be shot in a day with minimal crew. I had no idea if the film would turn out to be something Tropfest would want, but the deadline was a reason to make something – it was a great opportunity to play around, make work, make mistakes and refine our skills!
That night over chicken and beer Jess talked about how she was preparing to move out of home for the first time and that’s where the idea came from!
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Because you’ll find the story and characters relatable. The script was written after conversations with actors and real life sisters Jess and Emily and we shot it in Jess’ real bedroom before she moved out which gives an honesty and authenticity to the story.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
While the original idea came from a very personal place for myself and the actors, the themes around coming of age and sibling connection are very universal.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Because of the ‘real time’ format the final film was very close to the original script. But I believe that the process of creating the script with the actors and having lots of rehearsal time meant that by the time we got to shooting nothing much needed to change. We already felt we knew what was working and what wasn’t. (Which was good because we only had a day on set and things got pretty tight!)
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The most common response has been that the film is ‘relatable’ which is awesome, that’s my main goal! A lot of people have then told me their own personal story about moving out of home, which has been lovely! I think everyone has experienced, or will experience their version of our story at some point in their lives.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not really, if anything it’s confirmed to me that I need to keep making films that come from my own personal and authentic experience because that’s what an audience relates to. I think the more honest I can be in my writing the more likely the audience can see themselves in the characters.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I hope to broaden the audience for our little film.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Any and all of these please! We would just love the film to reach people, if it could screen at more festivals – perhaps somewhere abroad – that’d be great!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I think our film communicates a big moment in a person’s life in a really simple way, I just hope people watch it and find it sweet and relatable.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What’s harder: moving out of home for the first time or watching you sibling move out?
Would you like to add anything else?
Here are the websites for myself and my cinematographer Alice Stephens:
I hope you enjoy our film!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Jess Kennedy is playing the lead role in a modern war-time independent feature film currently in production. Our cinematographer Alice Stephens is working on some music videos and shorts while documenting the making of a fashion installation in Florence, Italy – a project that aims to become a feature. And I’m attempting to write a feature script about two best friends who move from the country to the city to live on campus at university together. I hope to develop the script and then create a short film capturing a ‘moment’ from the bigger idea by the end of the year.
We would love to make a feature together some time in the (hopefully) near future!
Interview: March 2018
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, 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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Cannot Predict Now
Jess prepares to move out of her childhood bedroom as her little sister Emily prepares to move in.
Length: 06:54
Director: Nikki Richardson
Producer: Nikki Richardson
Writer: Nikki Richardson
About the writer, director and producer: Nikki is an emerging filmmaker whose short films have screened at the Melbourne International Film Festival, St Kilda Film Festival, Palm Springs International Shortfest and Flickerfest. Cannot Predict Now is Nikki's third film and premiered at Tropfest 2018.
Key cast: Jess Kennedy and Emily Yates
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Any/all!
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cannotpredictnow/
Other: https://www.nikkimakesthings.net/
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11H38VgrZM0
Here is a link to the 'teaser' though feel free to post the youtube link of the actual film if you like too: https://vimeo.com/253364998