DISSONANCE, 8min,. Canada
Directed by Christian Sweeney
Caught stealing from her family's safe, Marsha is confronted about her drug addiction.

http://www.sweeneyperspective.com/
https://instagram.com/sweeneyperspective

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I have personally struggled and have grown up around people who have struggled with substance abuse. Although I am not the most public about these details, I wanted to create something that acted as a testament to those who stood by me in my worst. With this film I wanted to highlight the strength required to care for someone with substance abuse, and remind an audience that they are not alone and to never take their support for granted.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you
to make this film?

This script took about two years to write, going through over seven drafts. We shot it in two day's with an incredible team. Post-Production took about two month's to finalize this piece.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Purposefully unconditional. A kind of love and support that stretches beyond our instincts but requires dedication and continuous effort.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

In my past films I find I have always struggled to create a genuine and believable performance from my actors. This was something that I had put extra emphasis on while directing by being intimate with the actors and sharing my own experiences within the context of this script. It was definitely a change of pace for me as a commercial director to be vulnerable and give my actors room to explore their own understanding of the story. I feel this approach will lead the foundations to which I base the remainder of my creative projects. After all, directing is a collaboration between my vision and my actor's presence and feelings within a scene. Through the creation of this film I have fallen in love with allowing my actors the space to bring their own vision to set.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking
about your film in the feedback video?

I found it extremely valuable to not only hear about the technical aspects that made up my film but further hear people relate and break down the physical dynamics that underlay it. I am extremely grateful for this deeper understanding of my film that was perceived by the audience and am glad to know the intention of playing with a long history between my two characters was felt.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

My whole life I have messed around with cameras however it wasn't until 16 years old in my high school drama class that I realized this could be a viable career path. I fell in love with using my camera to tell stories from my perspective and I have never stopped since. Studying film at York University has only strengthened this continued belief in myself to trust in my creativity and continuously use it as an outlet for exploration.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

I have watched Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia's The Platform (2019) more times than I can count. I love the film's use of foreshadowing, pacing, and the larger than life effect that was created with such a limited space and budget. I admire the production team's innovations in this sense and have always strived to create more with less.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other
festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking
career?

I believe offering a public in person screening would be very valuable to a lot of filmmakers who aren't so lucky to ever witness a live reaction to their film. While Wild Sound provides this with feedback which is undeniably valuable, I think there is always a sense of achievement when hearing an audience's reaction live whether this be laughs, crys, sighs, etc.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your
experiences been working on the festival platform site?

So far so good! Although each festival has very different rules that can sometimes be conflicting, I believe having a universal platform for all festival submissions makes it a very inviting experience.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Penne alla Vodka is by far my top dish. I am an Italian after all, haha.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I am currently writing a script for another 10-15 minute short film coming to festivals hopefully next summer! It is my final film at York University and I am going all out. Although still in its early stages of the script, we go to camera in late October!