BIG EXIT, 11min,. USA
Directed by David Sackerman
Josh is a lonely, awkward individual who is ignored by his coworkers and disrespected by his boss, but when he gets some bad news, he comes up with a scheme to get the last laugh.

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Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

This started out as an assignment at Columbia College Chicago in which we were tasked to write a ten-page screenplay based on a true story. Our teacher suggested a "weird news stories" aggregator, which we all looked at, and the top headline was about a man from New Zealand who had just hired an "emotional support clown" for his layoff meeting! I added certain elements like his boss's unlikeable personality and Josh's meekness and desire to connect with others. As an autistic person I've had a lot of experience wanting to fit in but struggling no matter what I do, and one of the ways I overcame that was comedy. It's a great tool for fighting sadness and for spitting in the face of an oppressive system!

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

I first wrote Big Exit in October 2019 and had no immediate plans to film it. I was mainly focused on my classwork at the time. During the pandemic I had to push my graduation back a year, and I decided that since I was still an enrolled student, I should make a film before graduating. I picked this script because it was set in a single location (aside from the "bar", which our art team made in the office backroom with a table, some fairy lights, and fake brick paneling) and because everyone who had seen it said it was good. We shot in March 2021, and later that year I moved to Los Angeles, when things got complicated. I unfortunately made the mistake of not planning ahead or saving money for post-production or festival submissions, and the editing process moved slowly as a result. It wasn't until September 2023 that I had a finished, ready-to-submit version!

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

Sad and happy

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

Long answer -- time management and post-production costs. Short answer -- my own lack of planning. But I learned a lot, which can be summed up as, "Don't do that again."

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

I was very worried that people wouldn't like it. It was my first film, and we had some technical issues (like a day's worth of sound that went missing) that were hard to overcome. There were times when I thought it looked amateurish and I thought people would tear it to shreds. But I was really glad all the feedback was so positive! I was also worried that people would realize I'd never worked in an office before and that most of my knowledge comes from TV, so I'm honestly surprised people found it so authentic.

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

The first time I saw an Indiana Jones movie I was completely blown away by how exciting it was, even if it was the worst one of the five. As I grew older, I saw that films also had the potential to make you think and feel on a level that can change your entire life.

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

The Incredibles

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

In-person networking opportunities! I loved getting feedback and winning an award but it would also have been great to meet other filmmakers and festival workers/volunteers in person. Collaborating with other artists is very important at my level!

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

No complaints so far!

10. What is your favorite meal?

Pizza (thin-crust, gluten-free)

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

I'm currently finishing post-production on another short comedy-drama film set during World War II, and I hope to be completely finished by January. I also have a permalance job in Hollywood! I do script coverage (part-time) for Walden Media.