Slamdance Film Festival 2020 – Big Fur
If World Champion taxidermist Ken Walker can’t find Bigfoot, he’ll make one.
Interview with Director/Producer Dan Wayne
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thanks! I've always been intrigued by taxidermy – the weirdness of it, and the marriage of art and science. Once I began studying how to do it, I became more interested in the characters that were the big names in the field and my storytelling instincts took over. I began following some of these characters online and Ken was one of those people and the first I approached. Luckily, was very into the idea.
Ken is known for his re-creations, which is a unique form of taxidermy that involves creating endangered or extinct animals out of other animal's hides. His Irish elk, saber-toothed tiger and giant panda were big winners at the World Taxidermy Championships. When he told me he was going to make a Bigfoot, I knew I'd found my movie.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
It's a fun and entertaining look at an artist immersed in his defining project, and an insider's view into the bizarre world of taxidermy. Whether you have any opinions on Bigfoot or not, it will make you think about what goes on in the deep, dark forests and the value of wilderness.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
You have to be an optimist to make an independent film, so I'm drawn to people like that. Ken is the consummate optimist.
I'm also very interested in the intersection of art, craft and science. When those three things come together, as they often do in Ken's work, the result can be exquisite.
And finally, I'm an outdoorsman. If you don't have any experience with the natural environment, then you don't care about it and you won't fight to save it. Ultimately, Big Fur is a call to preserve our last remaining wilderness.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
I knew the story arc would follow Ken's project of building the Bigfoot, from gathering the materials to unveiling her at the World Taxidermy Championships. I don't want to give too much away, but if you hang out with an eccentric character long enough, something exciting is bound to happen. And the unexpected is what makes a documentary work, so you really need to go into a project like this ready to take a turn. Things did not go as I expected, but I was able to craft a story out of the elements that emerged during filming.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I've only screened it a handful of times, but the response has been very positive. There's more going on than people expect, so they are usually surprised.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I've been amazed by the diversity of the people who like it. There are a lot of elements that seem to appeal to different people, which is real fun to witness. I predicted a more niche audience, but it might be bigger than I expected.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
So much effort, time and money go into a project like this. I didn't think about it at the time, but now that it's finished I really want people to see it. And getting the word out is not so easy. It's an exciting time for independent film, but you have to dig to find the real gems because the ability to get our attention rests with a relatively small number of very powerful corporations. Sites like We Are Moving Stories are an important alternative for curious, open-minded people so it's an honor to have Big Fur featured here.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Buyers, distributors and journalists.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope that people will laugh, contemplate the value of wilderness, and tell their friends to watch it. And maybe go for a hike.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
A lot of Bigfooters will tell you that we have to protect Bigfoot's habitat. But if Bigfoot actually exists, he shares that same environment with a whole host of other important and endangered animals. We have a responsibility to protect our greatest resource – for the animals, for ourselves and for the planet. Oh, and maybe for Bigfoot, too.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I'm developing an episodic series based on the forthcoming epic novel by my associate producer, Mark Gardiner. It's the Authorized Biography of the Last Sasquatch. It's a brilliant story and, like Big Fur, uses a pop culture icon to examine much deeper societal and environmental issues.
Interview: January 2020
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
Big Fur
If World Champion taxidermist Ken Walker can’t find Bigfoot, he’ll make one.
Length: 1:16:00
Director: Dan Wayne
Producer: Jon Niccum
Writer: George Langworthy
About the writer, director and producer:
Big Fur is DAN WAYNE'S first feature documentary. He has been a professional photographer and cinematographer since 1990. He studied photography at Kansas University and film at New York University. Dan has collaborated with writer/editor George Langworthy on several projects, including Breezeway (1996) which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and played on PBS, the BBC and Canal +. Dan also worked with George on the 2009 feature documentary Vanishing of the Bees, an inspiring film that has been broadcast internationally and won critical acclaim. An avid outdoorsman, Dan has been practicing taxidermy since he began making Big Fur, but only mounts animals killed by cars or, more often, by his dog, Betty.
Key cast: Ken Walker (himself)
Facebook: Big Fur
Twitter: @bigfurmovie
Instagram: @bigfurmovie
Hashtags used: #bigfur #bigfurmovie
Website: www.bigfurmovie.com
Other: IMDb
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? 2020 Slamdance Film Festival