Moscow, Nizhniy Susalniy lane, 5/18
shortshotfest@gmail.com
shortshotfest@gmail.com
Interview
Kimberley Wells
Director
Kimberley Wells
Director (Australia)
Kimberley Wells is an actor and writer from Australia.
Pandemic has changed a lot of lives. For someone it was a disaster, for someone it was a way to try something new. Kimberley was one of those, who hasn't surrendered and she chose to jump into directing this year.
Kimberley sent us experimental film "Lament" shot on her smartphone during lockdown.
Pandemic has changed a lot of lives. For someone it was a disaster, for someone it was a way to try something new. Kimberley was one of those, who hasn't surrendered and she chose to jump into directing this year.
Kimberley sent us experimental film "Lament" shot on her smartphone during lockdown.
— Tell us a little about your experience? Was it only a film connected or you did/do something else?
— I started out as an actor and comedy writer but always harbored the desire to direct and make films. Since I'm not working right now due to COVID, I'm using this time to be as creative and productive as possible.
— What inspired you to make your short film? How did you come up with that idea?
— Well I was working on a different project and some of the stuff didn't fit for that project but I still wanted to use the footage in some way. So it started with a few shots and then blossomed into an idea I've been thinking about for a long time. Which is; as an ex-pat away from my family, there's always a sense of missing out. And when COVID-19 hit, those feelings got heightened.
— Tell us how it was to produce your film? What was the starting point, funding, script, shooting, casting, edit etc.
— I made the film by myself. There's wasn't a script perse. It was more ideas and images I wanted to explore. So mostly I would just place my phone against cardboard boxes around my apartment and shoot.
With the phone conversations throughout the film, I actually called each of my family members and I would ask them leading questions to get them to answer in a sort of way I wanted or if there was a particular thing I wanted them to say, I would ask them to say it.
And then when it came to editing, I chose shots and voice recordings that really lent itself to the story in a fluid way.
With the phone conversations throughout the film, I actually called each of my family members and I would ask them leading questions to get them to answer in a sort of way I wanted or if there was a particular thing I wanted them to say, I would ask them to say it.
And then when it came to editing, I chose shots and voice recordings that really lent itself to the story in a fluid way.
—Funny or scary moments on the set?
— I think it was funny for my family. When I called them, they didn't really understand what I was doing. I'm like 'I'm making a film and I need you to say this line. They're not actors so directing them and line reading for them was interesting.
— Do you have a dream?
— To work in the industry and make auteur-driven content (films and television) and to give a leg up to those behind me to succeed in the industry too.
— What is your favorite film?
— It's too hard to name a favorite film! For this project, I think 'The Conversation' By Frances Ford Coppola and 'The Thin Red Line' by Terrence Mallick are inspirations. The Conversation for the awesome sound design and layering of conversation snippets heard in the film. The Thin Red Line for the way Mallick uses images in a poetic way to tell a story.
— Give advice for those who want to make a film, but don't know from where to start?
— I'd say a few things. First. Just do it. I know I've spent a lot of time hesitating to jump into filmmaking because I didn't have the tech know-how or funds or whatever. But you can start small. Use your phone, use free editing software like basic Davinci Resolve or apps you can get on your phone and go from there. Because I didn't go to film school, I'm always keeping a beginner mindset. On each project, I'm looking to improve my skills and see it as an opportunity to get better. And lastly, if it's possible where you live, team up with like-minded individuals who want the same things as you and collaborate!
