Salute Your Shorts 2019 – Funkybutt
A shy young girl spends time with her eccentric grandpa while her mother is away for work. Together, they embark on an adventure with a magical cornet that makes people dance.
Interview with Writer Domenico Grasso
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
We made Funkybutt because of a great film festival in Louisiana, the Louisiana film prize, which awards $50,000 for the winner. We won with over 4000 people attending the screenings, along with the judges' vote.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Funkybutt is a family comedy in the vein the '50 style Disney's musicals! The main reason we made it is to make people leave the theater smiling.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Funkybutt is a very personal movie with a universal message that the viewers can relate too. It is about coming out of your shell and enjoying the things around you, with a little spice of magic.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script evolved in a span of a year, and our main problem was how to translate the magic side of it to the real world.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Very positive. We won the Louisiana film prize, and best family short at Cleveland international film festival. The short is having a great run so far!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It is always great to chat with people about it and see how they perceive it. Generally tho, people leave with a happy mind, and this is what we wanted to do from the start.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Making ourselves known a little more.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I would say a producer would help!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would love for people just to enjoy it.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I would say, is magic around us, and can we see it even in our busy lives?
Interview: August 2019
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
Funkybutt
A shy young girl spends time with her eccentric grandpa while her mother is away for work. Together, they embark on an adventure with a magical cornet that makes people dance.
Length: 15:00
Director: Jonnie Stapleton
Producer: Sugy and the movie company
Writer: Domenico Grasso, Jonnie Stapleton, Mike Nicholas
Key cast: Theresa rolls, Isaac Clay
Looking for: producers
Other: IMDb
Funders: Kickstarter
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Salute your shorts, August 19, LA