Lady Filmmakers Film Festival 2019 – Reformed
A reformed prisoner is released back into society only to find the demons from his past are much harder to shake.
Interview with Writer/Director Samantha Timms
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
The short film Reformed was born out of a fascination with the concept of nature versus nurture and true crime stories.
I have always admired psychological thrillers and their ability to test morals and belief systems and Reformed is no different. I endeavoured to challenge perspectives on the possibility of prisoner rehabilitation, toxic masculinity, power and on a broader level the humanity behind a killer.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
An audience will be lead on a journey of discovery, constantly questioning their own assumptions and reality as the story unfolds. The viewer is forced to question their first impressions and judgements as the world shifts, highlighting the complexity of human nature and realising that perhaps good and evil are not so black and white.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Reformed touches on crime from an addiction and mental health standpoint, looking at the complexity of why individuals commit murder and the unique, strange rituals. While following the internal struggle for redemption, the film deals with themes of toxic masculinity, mental health, nature vs nurture and Identity.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
With Reformed we endeavoured to be flexible and allow the story to evolve through the production process, but we were also aware that pulling one thread could completely unravel the story. We kept this in mind and were able to make key creative choices along the way that amplified the film.
Once we secured funding from Screen Queensland for production we engaged in a rigorous drafting phase which allowed us to work with industry mentors in order to get the most out of our story and hone the themes. In pre-production, we were able to adapt in order to get the most out of our locations and once the cast was on board their incredible insights further fleshed out the characters on the page.
This ability to be strict with certain beats of the story while letting other elements be fluid allowed us to be creative on set and overcome obstacles as they presented themselves but also stay true to the story.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I am humbled by the lovely feedback we have received from festivals and audiences so far who have loved the visuals as well as the psychological and crime elements of the story. I am also pleased to say viewers have been blown away by Bob Newman's performance and have trouble getting the final frame of the film out of their minds.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
As this was my directorial debut I was very flattered and surprised by the positive feedback and am very privileged to have the opportunity to connect and share this story with different audiences all over the world.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I am always eager to connect with audiences and hear the different experiences viewers have while watching the film. I hope this encourages people to see Reformed at a festival or on a platform in the future and get in touch with their experience. But most of all, I hope this article encourages first-time female directors to take that leap and have the courage to make their first film.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We currently do not have a plan for Reformed once the festival circuit is complete however we would like to see it find a home on a VOD platform as part of an anthology or shorts program.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would be thrilled if Reformed was able to create conversation or challenge audience perspectives on mental health, criminal rehabilitation or the nature vs nurture debate.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I think Reformed makes us question whether or not we as a society create criminals or if they are born this way and if the first is true what changes we need to make.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am currently developing the feature film script following the coming of age story of John from Reformed as well as several other horror/thriller feature scripts.
Interview: October 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
Reformed
A reformed prisoner is released back into society only to find the demons from his past are much harder to shake.
Length: 12:00
Director: Samantha Timms
Producer: Shanae Condon & Rhiannon Steffensen
Writer: Samantha Timms
About the writer, director and producer:
SAMANTHA TIMMS is a writer/director of both factual and fictional content based in Brisbane, Australia. Establishing herself in the film industry through directing and producing online and commercial content, Samantha moved on to the role of Script Coordinator in 2017 on the ABC Studios International series Harrow. In 2018 she moved back into the role of Producer for factual television production companies Flickchicks, DMA and Lone Star Production Group. Supported by Screen Queensland, Reformed is Samantha's directorial debut and premiered at Screamfest LA in 2018.
SHANAE CONDON comes from a background in Children's content working as a Company Producer for Like a Photon Creative based in Brisbane, Australia. The past year has seen Shanae developing three feature films and one animated pre-school animated series. Rhiannon Steffensen established herself through producing a 9-part web series Two Weeks (2017) and roles in post-production at The Post Lounge in Queensland. Rhiannon also works for the children's content company Like a Photon in the role of Production Manager.
Key cast: Bob Newman (John), Caitlin Leo (Claire)
Facebook: Reformed
Hashtags used: #reformedmovie
Other: IMDb
Made in association with: Screen Queensland
Funders: Australian Cultural Fund & Screen Queensland
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Celluloid Screams Horror Film Festival - October 24, 2019; Showroom Cinema - Sheffield UK