Nevada Women's Film Festival 2020 – Choker
As a girl drops from the sky onto a crowded beach, a mysterious man drives at breakneck speed towards her.
Choker is a unique narrative take on one of the biggest challenges facing our planet. Due to its 'no dialogue' nature, it is a film that we hope will resonate with audiences around the world.
We believe that there needs to be more environmentally focused narrative fiction that will both entertain and educate in equal measure. Choker will be the first of a number we plan to make here in Cornwall... each with an unexpected twist.
Interview with Director Orson Cornick
Watch Choker here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I am not too sure how other short filmmakers work ideas in their head but I am always searching my mind for a 'good idea' which would work in a short format. In the case of Choker, I was driving with my family in the car and the idea suddenly struck me so I spoke to my wife about it and she loved the idea (she has a great sense for what would work). After that, I spoke to the rest of the team and they all liked the idea...
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Choker is a relentless rollercoaster of a film that has you wondering where it will take you... every second of this four minutes film has been carefully considered so your mind will have little chance to wander... plus, this film has a purpose that will become evident once you have seen it.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The story is very personal to me given my background in animal welfare and there are elements that underline my opinion of society and its attitude towards the subject matter of Choker. But at the same time, these personal opinions that I have held for most of my life have now become mainstream and are regularly shared on social media so does that now make them universal? Maybe.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Originally the story was going to be as it was now, but early on in development, I tried to overthink the basic story and pad it out to be more of a narrative drama than what it is now. After showing our DOP (Julian Horner) what I had planned, he believed that going back to the original idea would be better and sharper... he was right.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
So far we have had some great feedback on Choker and given its selection rate with festivals, we have been very lucky. I think most find it deeply moving, surprising and a bit of food for thoughts. Some have been slightly critical of my overly negative portrayal of humanity... some have felt it has a bit of a PSA feel about it. But overall the feedback has been very positive and the majority feel it is an important piece of work. Most environmental shorts I see are for the most part 'Docos' or 'Animation' and so live-action fictional narratives like ours are certainly in the minority.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Yes. I think most people think that humans are better than they are. I agree that humans are capable of so much, but being capable and actually implementing an idea are two different things so I still maintain that for the most part humans inadvertently turn a blind eye to things that may rock the boat of their everyday existence. Nowadays it feels like we would rather spend hours and hours binge-watching a series on the Planet than spending a little time researching the environmental impact of their purchases. We have become creatures of habit, which will ultimately lead to no creatures at all.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
For more people to see what can be achieved in the short film world.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Film festival directors and journalists ideally.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like to encourage other short filmmakers to explore more unique narratives that both inform and entertain. As independent short filmmakers, we have a lot of freedom which we should take advantage of.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Do we really give a shit? (sorry for the language)
Would you like to add anything else?
Again, sorry for the language :)
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We were going to start work on another environmental film in 2021 but we wanted to make something that was both socially important and heartwarming given what everyone has been through recently. We will shoot Misery Loves Company in Spring 2021 which is a short about a young girl and an older man.
Interview: May 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
Choker
As a girl drops from the sky onto a crowded beach, a mysterious man drives at breakneck speed towards her.
Choker is a unique narrative take on one of the biggest challenges facing our planet. Due to its 'no dialogue' nature, it is a film that we hope will resonate with audiences around the world.
We believe that there needs to be more environmentally focused narrative fiction that will both entertain and educate in equal measure. Choker will be the first of a number we plan to make here in Cornwall... each with an unexpected twist.
Length: 4:07
Director: Orson Cornick
Producer: Akiko & Orson Cornick
Writer: Orson Cornick
About the writer, director and producer:
ORSON CORNICK grew up in Surrey, England where his parents ran a hospital for sick & injured wildlife. He has always had a love for film and has created numerous little films over the years. In 2014 he created a little silent film with his daughter called She Sells Seashells about a mysterious young girl who sold seashells. After the film gained some local attention he went on to make the acclaimed Take Your Time and then Pillow. His new film Choker will start a journey into the creation of environmentally conscious narrative shorts of which this will be the first. A follow-up to Choker is already in pre-production.
Key cast: Elena Kordelas (The Girl), James Bailey (The Driver)
Looking for: film festival directors, journalists
Facebook: Choker, Orson Cornick
Hashtags used: #chokerfilm #cornwall #cornishfilm
Made in association with: Spidereye Studios
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Numerous festivals... many online or postponed sadly.