Sherman Oaks Film Festival 2019 – Overshared
A futuristic smartphone allows Will to connect to social media at the speed of thought. He quickly learns the cutting edge cuts deep.
Interview with Writer/Director/Editor Matthew Herrier
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I was looking to get my feet wet as a director! This struck me as a high-concept-ish story that could work well as a short. The idea of a mass-market, mind-connected smartphone, and you're the one Luddite who missed the memo. Just a few hours of raw, unfiltered thoughts on social media would certainly ruin your life. I just started riffing from there.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I've treated this purely as a short. Not a pitch piece or set up for a feature, it's just an 11-minute joke. That's the kind of short film I personally like, and I hope you do too. It's also a very handcrafted piece - I'm the writer, director, editor, colorist, sound mixer, and financier. My goal was to make a sort of dark yet cartoonish, visually stylish, and hopefully funny film.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
We live in a weird era where we desperately defend our privacy, but also post intimate details about our lives online. Instantly. Every day. There are no less than 5 listening devices in this room! I suppose the theme is about privacy in a tech-flooded world, or the lack thereof. It's also about the absurd amount of importance we place on social media.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Well, for one thing, I've had to increase the price of this fictional smartphone three times, because real-world prices already surpassed what I thought was comically expensive.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
It's been very positive! I really wanted to get this right both technically and tonally, and I'm pleased by the reaction so far.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
One thing I find interesting is some people found it sort of "scary". A MindConnect feature is almost certainly coming, but I've always thought it's in the very distant future. I guess some feel like it's a lot closer than that.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I'm not one of those people with an aggressive online presence, so I definitely like the idea of a more curated and purposeful spotlight on my work!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope it makes you think a little bit, and be responsible with your ever-widening digital footprint. But mainly I hope it makes you laugh.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How much technology do we really need to apply to completely superfluous things?
Would you like to add anything else?
False information creates a false perspective of the world. Do your research, think, then rant.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We've recently finished a feature screenplay set against a gritty doomsday scenario. It's very possible you'll see another short film from me next year aimed at getting that produced! Quite a different vibe from this current short.
Interview: November 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
Overshared
A futuristic smartphone allows Will to connect to social media at the speed of thought. He quickly learns the cutting edge cuts deep.
Length: 11:00
Director: Matthew Herrier
Producer: Chelsea Delbridge
Writer: Matthew Herrier
About the writer, director and producer:
MATTHEW HERRIER works as an editor, as well as assistant director. In 2009, Matthew co-founded Laminated Pictures, where he's gotten more involved as a producer. LP recently produced their second feature film - My Name is Myeisha, which held it's award-winning premiere at Slamdance 2018. Now, Matthew is applying his hodgepodge of production and post-experience towards his long-standing passion: Directing.
Key cast: Sean Faye (Will), Dylan Booth (Gregory), Charles Pasternak (Jason), Matt Calloway (Salesman), Liza Seneca (Gina)
Facebook: Laminated Pictures
Instagram: @laminatedpictures
Website: www.laminatedpictures.com
Other: IMDb
Made in association with: Laminated Pictures
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Bogotá Short Film Festival/Bogotá, Colombia - December 5th & 6th