An A.I. researcher is tasked with investigating the mysterious malfunctioning of QAS - a super-A.I. created to make the decisions that could save humanity from self-destruction.

Interview with Writer/Director Nyssa Mitchell

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I Am Awake, Always was my major film project for the final year of my undergraduate degree at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne. Also. I love making films!

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

I'd like to think that the film is both visually compelling and thought-provoking. I wanted to create something that would be a cinematic experience for the audience, but also encourage them to reflect on the world around us, and how we can move forward in the future.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I care a lot about what the future holds for our world, so this is a story I have wanted to tell for a long time. Growing up in this political and environmental climate, it's easy to find yourself feeling nihilistic about the future so what I really wanted to do was explore the intersection of fear and hope, and how hope - an intrinsically human experience - may ultimately be the one thing we can rely on to get us through uncertain times.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The script went through a huge amount of development over several months. I struggled a lot at first because I had so many things I wanted to say through the film and it took a while to bring it down to one core theme. Thankfully I had the help of VCA Honours Screenwriting student Michael Norris, who was invaluable as an idea bouncing-board and also came with lots of great ideas himself.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

I haven't received too much feedback yet, as I'm still waiting to get my grades from the university assessors. But generally, my peers who have had the opportunity to watch it have said they found it really enjoyable, and from what I've heard I think I may have been successful in making it visually powerful and thought-provoking.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

There haven't been many surprises yet, but I suspect some of the assessors may have some things to say that I haven't heard yet

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

Mostly I would just like a platform to give the film more voice. I think it carries an important, relevant message that relates to a lot of discourse that's happening all over the world at the moment, and I believe that participating in that conversation - whether it is through art, politics, journalism etc - is a responsibility I have as a young adult on this planet.

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 love the opportunity to network with some journalists or film festival directors.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

Again, my main goal was to create something thought-provoking that would inspire the audience to ask questions of themselves and our world. If it inspires to make a change in their life, or even spark a conversation with another, then I think I will have accomplished something really wonderful.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Can we trust humans to make the right decisions about the future?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I'm not too sure about the other crew, but in early 2020 I'll be working on a few proof-of-concept projects, and also a short film written by another VCA alumnus.

Interview: December 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

I Am Awake, Always

An A.I. researcher is tasked with investigating the mysterious malfunctioning of QAS - a super-A.I. created to make the decisions that could save humanity from self-destruction.

Length: 12:30

Director: Nyssa Mitchell

Producer: Amy Mai

Writer: Nyssa Mitchell, Michael Norris

About the writer, director and producer:

NYSSA MITCHELL is a freelance cinematographer and director based in Melbourne, Australia. A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts (BA Film & Television), she has encountered success with a number of her directed works, with her films being screened at festivals such as the London BFI Future Film Festival, Short Cuts Film Festival and UnScene Films.

Key cast: Lin Yin (Eve), Adam Crouch (QAS), Patrick Livesey (Joe)

Looking for: journalists, film festival directors

Facebook: I Am Awake, Always

Funders: Australian Cultural Fund

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? VCA Graduate Screenings, Capitol Theatre, Melbourne. Sunday 15th Dec.