Queens World Film Festival / Windy City Horrorama / Milwaukee Twisted Dreams 2019 – Livescream
When a popular video game streamer plays a haunted game, he faces deadly consequences for himself and his fans.
Interview with Director/Writer/Producer/Editor/Animator Michelle Iannantuono
Watch Livescream on Vimeo on demand and Prime Video
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I remember sitting on my couch and watching Uno The Movie for the fourth or fifth time. It's a two and a half hour YouTube video of five guys - the Achievement Hunters, based out of Rooster Teeth Studios - playing a game of Uno on the Xbox One. Although it sounds daunting to sit through that for nearly three hours, I recommend it to everyone I can. It's equal parts hysterical, desperate, and heartfelt.
But on that particular watch, I remember thinking something more - "If these five guys can make an entertaining feature-length video about a card game, could I make a feature film about a game?"
Livescream - my first feature film - is the film of my heart. Rather than utilizing the physical resources around me to build a low budget feature, I utilized the resources inside of me. Not only was Livescream built off my love and passion for gaming and horror movies, it was also built off my vast knowledge of Let's Play culture and horror gaming history.
I've spent four straight years immersed in Let's Play culture, particularly in the niche of indie horror games. Nearly every creative choice I made for Livescream was inspired by a game, a game player, a game developer, a reference to a popular video, or some aspect of the culture. Over these years I have observed, and felt in my own heart, the deep, intimate connection between streamers and their fans.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Livescream seeks to be an exciting and genuine experience. We wanted to make a movie where you wouldn't ever be tempted to look at your phone or get up for a snack. We really wanted to keep people glued to the action. If you're familiar with Twitch and gamer culture, you'll have a fun time spotting the references. If you're totally new to Twitch and don't play games at all, perhaps you'll walk away having been exposed to something new!
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I've certainly struggled with mental illness in my own life, as well as the stagnation of the Millennial workforce. The grind of the 9-5 is particularly unrewarding for people my age, so that's reflected in some of Scott's backstory. Our generation is the first who can truly make a living online, or create stardom from our living rooms. It's weird to imagine how sustainable or long term such a career is, but at the same time, it keeps someone like Scott - or millions of other content creators - mentally healthy enough to keep living for the time being.
On a more universal note, the film kind of revolves around the theme that "online life" can be just as real as "real life." Twenty years ago, we used to separate online from "IRL." But I think the lines have really blurred, since online anonymity is a thing of the past. We have to be accountable and responsible for what we do online. You can't be a nice guy in real life, but a jerk on the internet. The consequences of Livescream have visceral real life repercussions, despite the fact that everything is happening to Scott as he sits in his living room chair.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
I mulled on the idea for several months before I wrote the script. But I had a very clear vision of what I wanted to create. The script did not go through many revisions at all, and the film we shot/finalized was pretty similar to that vision, ultimately.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We have received overwhelming positive support, which we're very grateful for. Some of the most interesting feedback has come from outside our target audience. I thought I was making the film for people in their twenties, but we have had positive response from teenagers and their Gen X parents as well! Young people these days use Twitch and Youtube as their primary forms of entertainment, and their parents have often told me that they never understood this until they saw Livescream.
We also get a lot of horror fans telling us that they didn't expect to like the film. There is a stigma against found footage and a stigma against video game movies, so we're fighting some uphill battles! Luckily, they almost always follow this up by saying "I actually liked it a LOT, and that surprised me!"
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The cross-generational appeal has surprised me a lot. I also really appreciate how much positive feedback we've received on the writing. Because the actor's performance is so organic, I was a little worried people would think there wasn't a script. Luckily, that hasn't been an issue.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We would like to reach outside of the typical horror/horror filmmaker audience, because we think Livescream has broader appeal than that! Let's Play/Twitch is one of the primary forms of entertainment in the world. Even though the story has horror elements, we think anyone who is familiar with this medium may be entertained by the film.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Since we are near distribution, we are mostly looking for a signal boost for sales. Press coverage is a great way to help this! Also, we are looking to finance our next movie, and potentially a Livescream sequel, so producers reps, sales agents, and producers are welcome to get in touch if they find the IP promising.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
My ultimate goal was to help validate Twitch/Let's Play culture as a valid form of entertainment. So many people are derisive of this subculture, lamenting that it's a "waste of time" to "watch other people play video games." But it's really about community. I tried to touch on that in the film, to show that it's how a lot of people make friendships, cope with trauma, and get through the tough days of life. Escapism has always had that value.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
One of my friends, Shannon Strucci, does a lot of meta work about parasocial relationships - the one sided relationship between a creator and their fans. Livescream entertains the idea that parasocial relationships are positive - a parasocial relationship is actually core to the film. But I think it's interesting to ask, "IS this healthy? IS it healthy that JumpingWolf relies so much on Scott, to the point where he's willing to sacrifice his life? Even though they have never actually met?" Shannon and I have had some cool conversations about this, since she's seen the film.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am about to launch an online-exclusive fan film in the Detroit Become Human universe, called Detroit: Awakening, on March 27. Additionally, we are in pre-production for our next feature, a comedy thriller called Seven Deadly Synths.
Interview: March 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
Livescream
When a popular video game streamer plays a haunted game, he faces deadly consequences for himself and his fans.
Length: 1:10:00
Director: Michelle Iannantuono
Producer: Michelle Iannantuono
Writer: Michelle Iannantuono
About the writer, director and producer:
MICHELLE IANNANTUONO is a chemist-turned-filmmaker from Charleston, SC. She is the writer/director/producer of five films to date, including the award-winning feature Livescream.
Key cast: Gunner Willis
Looking for: journalists
Facebook: Octopunk Media
Twitter: @ladytuono
Instagram: @octopunkmedia
Website: www.octopunkmedia.com
Other: IMDB
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Queens World Film Festival - New York City - March 22; Special Theatrical Screening - Charleston, SC - March 28; Windy City Horrorama - Chicago - April 3; Milwaukee Twisted Dreams - Milwaukee - April 4