Focus on AFI Conservatory - Afloat
On the cusp of her biggest performance yet, a young ballerina finds herself in a void, trapped with a mysterious dancer. She attempts to free herself, learning the true meaning of accepting an uncertain future.
Interview with Writer/Producer/Cinematographer Akanksha Shyam
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
This film was conceived and produced in the throes of the pandemic. With immense uncertainty around our collective future, I found myself wondering what my place is in the world as an artist and storyteller. I believe that it really is a time when the world needs hope and strength and it is our duty as storytellers to provide that.
The world has been on auto-pilot in many ways and the pandemic created a space to pause and reflect on the way we have been doing things. It has been a time of reimagination for us - to think about what's broken in our lives and to focus on what's important. This film is about stepping back and refocusing. It's about embracing an uncertain future with a new outlook.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This film is for anyone that is reckoning with change in their professional or personal lives. Being afraid of uncertainty is a roadblock for most people. This is a film about understanding and accepting uncertainty. It's a visual representation of that anxiety that we're hoping to express through this piece.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The film is a very personal story about anxiety but told through the eyes of a ballerina who is on the brink of her biggest performance yet. As artists, we are often under a tremendous amount of pressure to perform, even under the worst circumstances. We can often get trapped in our own heads. This film aims to explore this idea.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
I have always felt that anxiety feels like drowning. This was one of the core ideas that we held on to as the script went through many changes and versions. Ultimately, we felt this film would best work as a dance piece about a ballerina who is trapped in a void, drowning in her own fears. It was a way of incorporating movement into a visual representation of a very internal struggle.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We have gotten many different reactions, but one thing has been consistent - audience members seem to understand the mental struggle very clearly as it is pretty universal.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I am hoping to reach audiences that enjoy visually emotive films that have something to say.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I'm hoping to find visibility among film festival directors, distributors and journalists.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
This film was very close to our hearts and we poured every bit of creative energy into it. I'm hoping people recognize this as I hope to create more visual narratives like this.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am currently prepping several narrative shorts that go into production starting early December.
Interview: November 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
Afloat
Length:
3:10
Writer
Max Hersh, Stacy Pascal Gaspard, Akanksha Shyam
Director
Stacy Pascal Gaspard
Producer
Qiyi Fan, Akanksha Shyam
Key cast:
Maya Wright, Trinity Beasley
Looking for:
film festival directors
buyers, journalists, distributors
Social media:
www.facebook.com/akankshashyam
http://instagram.com/akankshashyam
More info:
www.akankshashyam.com
Made in association with:
AFI Conservatory