MDFF 2021 - Dead Man's Switch a crypto mystery
A thirty-year-old CEO, responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars, dies suddenly in India unleashing speculation that his exit was only one of many scams.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Sheona McDonald
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
In 2017 I was curious about cryptocurrency and ended up pitching a film about it to a broadcaster. I got development money and went in search of a story. A year later, I was frustrated and ready to give up - then, when Gerry died, I understood and could feel that this was the story I was to tell.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
You like a good mystery. You're curious about cryptocurrency and want an entertaining and basic explanation about what it is - tied to a good story. It's a great story. Leaves you with questions and opinions and ideas, but not a clean wrap up. You like tech, you like crime and you love the combo of them both together.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Greed, ambition, corruption, opportunity, technology are all themes that run through the film on both a personal and universal scale. Trust, money, fear, conspiracies...it depends on the perspective you observe this story from, but there is a great deal of nuance, humor & human tragedy.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Documentaries always evolve as they are shaped and watched and worked on and discussed. As we were editing the film, more information continued to come to light about Gerry's story so, once we built the framework, we were able to incorporate it as we went.
Overall, however, the greatest challenge in shaping this story came in keeping/finding/discovering the balance between telling Gerry's story and the story of cryptocurrency in a way that was understandable, enough (but not too much), entertaining, basic but comprehensive enough etc. It was an ongoing conversation.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Generally the feedback has been very positive. There are definitely people who love the film and are very excited about it! It raises lots of questions and people are excited to share their theories.
Of course, there are others who don't...that's always the way. We used a lot of elements in the film - recreations, Gerry's personal videos from Youtube, interviews, animation, motion graphics...it keeps the film moving, but it is definitely constructed. For a documentary purist, perhaps too constructed.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
No, I wouldn't say so.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I make films for people to see. Some may think that a film about cryptocurrency isn't something they are interested in...hopefully, people will read this and be up for a really great mystery/story/adventure and take a chance on a 'tech doc'.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Film festival directors and journalists are my best allies at this point! Come on board!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
While I think this film is a fun, wild ride - I also hope that it inspires people to consider carefully the risks associated with investments, particularly high-risk investments. Hopefully, this is both entertaining and educational.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Honestly, most people want to know if I think Gerry is really dead? Everyone has an opinion and it's an interesting debate!
Globally, the question 'is cryptocurrency the future of money?' can certainly spark a lively conversation (flash in the pan or here to stay?).
Would you like to add anything else?
Thank you for taking the time to talk about this film and the questions and ideas surrounding it. Personally, I think crypto is still in its infancy AND here to stay in some form or another...which 'coin/token/currency' will rise to the top? I don't know the answer. I do think, however, that it is valuable for people to start to understand the basics about crypto as it, likely, will have influence moving forward.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Sheona McDonald completed another, short, doc at the same time as Dead Man's Switch. It's called "INTO LIGHT" and is about a family in Canada's north exploring the gender transition of a four year old child. Simon Schneider also shot that film.
Sheona has written her first novel and is working on re-writing a dramatic screenplay...she is pondering what's next.
Simon is developing a documentary about Orcas that he is hoping to shoot Summer 2022.
Ness, editor, is working on an animated series.
Interview: July 2021
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
Dead Man's Switch a crypto mystery
Length:
1:18:00
Writer/Director/Producer
SHEONA MCDONALD has worked in the Canadian film & television industry as a writer, producer and director, for over two decades. She is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. Recent films include Into Light, Dead Man’s Switch a crypto mystery, Candice, A Short Essay on Men, and Inside Her Sex.
She recently finished writing a feature film script, Back By Midnight. She is currently writing her first novel, Inferno.
Sheona lives in Vancouver with her husband and three kids.
Looking for:
film festival directors, journalists
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/deadmansfilm
Instagram:
https://instagram.com/deadmansfilm
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/deadmansfilmDOC
Hashtags used:
#watchDeadMansSwitch #documentaryfilm #bitcoin #crypto #quadriga #geraldcotten #mystery #truecrime
More info:
https://www.deadmansfilm.com/
Where can I watch it now?
Melbourne Documentary Film Festival/Melbourne - 1st-31st July 2021