BONDING, 13min., USA
Directed by Luke Rex
A solitary figure at an empty bar, CIA clinical and forensic psychologist, Dr. John Flemington, is planning to visit his girlfriend in Mexico when he is pressured by mysterious underground operatives to join them on a secret mission. He really doesn't have a choice.

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Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I took 3 months off after graduating with my doctorate in clinical psychology in the summer of 2022. I was wanting to be creative again and challenged myself to direct a short film and do this as thoroughly and professionally as possible (i.e.., form a production company, pay everyone involved, produce, direct, have great sound, compose the music). Having appeared in many shorts as an actor prior to becoming a psychologist I felt both confident and intimated by the process. As a writer, I thought I had a good idea and knew that the difference between backing myself and making the short versus keeping the idea in my head was simply courage - courage to exercise the confidence to put my idea out there into the world. I also love the spy genre and James Bond, in addition to the spin off creative series we have been seeing with the Mandalorian, Boba Fett. Inspired by Jon Favreau's passion for alternate universes, I thought it would be fun to explore an alternate Bond Universe, combined with an X-Files style genre. Bonding was born.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I began penning a script, purely for fun, with no intention of shooting it, in December 2021, Originally, it was about a young Bond before he became Mi6. It then evolved into the question, "what would have happened if Bond had a son, and he had no idea about the birth? What would that be like for this character, the son, to grow up without a father? And what if he came to know something about him as he pursued his career in clinical and forensic psychology, working for the CIA?" Getting back to the question, I amped up pre-production once the location was locked in - that was around May/June of 2022. We shot the short in one day/night - 12pm call time to 2:30am finish, Sunday September 25th, 2022. Post production, including edit, sound, music, credits etc was officially completed on December 9th 2022. So from shoot to conclusion of post was approximately 11 weeks. Throw in another solid month of pre-production.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Alternate Bond-universe.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
My DP having to pull out 7 days before the shoot due to him being in the UK for work and not being able to return to LA in time. He gave me an awesome referral in Laura Jansen. Laura and I worked really well together. Her and her crew are super talented.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It was actually really cool. Our short is one that leaves a lot to the imagination with many questions unanswered. It was interesting to see how people interpreted the events. It was very nice for people to take the time to offer the feedback orally too as opposed to reading it on paper! More organic and alive.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I loved making ninja films and magic disappearing-act-fun-videos on handheld cameras back in the late 80s. But my interest in making a film as opposed to acting in one is more of a recent passion.

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

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Honestly, creating bridges with streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Apple, Sony and the like. It's all about who you know. There's so much content out there on these platforms. Much of it is very good, even phenomenal TV, features and the like. Also, much of it is terrible. How on earth do these get made? One answer - contacts. It's all about who you know at the end of the day. You could be sitting on an awesome idea, limited TV Series or feature, but unless you can meet with these development executives/buyers - good luck! It's a closed shop for most creatives. Or we put our energy into obtaining managers and agents who will take 30% between them. My thought is, if filmmakers have great Proof of Concepts for Film/TV that are kicking ass on the festival circuit - festivals can help by utilizing their contacts to open doors for the filmmakers. I've seen some INCREDIBLE work out there that these studios have NO IDEA about. So help these studios and decision makers get to know US!

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Very, very good overall. As I might have mentioned earlier, we have had the good fortune of submitting to a wide array of multiple festivals so I think I know FilmFreeway extremely well by now. I also research most of the festivals before submitting. I think due to the sheer volume of festivals we sent out to (over 500), it gives us somewhat of a unique experience of the platform and what type of festivals are out there. I have looked at over 4000 festivals on their platform (this includes the emails we have been sent due to marketing with them as well). Overall, the majority of festivals are legit but unfortunately there are some festivals that should not be promoting their festivals so filmmakers need to do their due diligence when submitting. FilmFreeway have been awesome and speaking on our behalf and following up in these circumstances since they are dedicated to the needs of filmmakers and user experience. They have been unreal!

10. What is your favorite meal?
Steak au poivre with truffle mash potato and green beans. Or a good Sunday roast!

11. What is next for you? A new film?
We know Bonding would make an excellent limited TV Series. So, putting some energy into meeting the right people who could help make this a reality. So far, we have over 50 nominations and an additional 50 award wins including Outstanding Proof of Concept. I'm most proud that the award wins and noms are across all areas of cast and production from Best Actor/Supporting Actors/Actress to Best Sound Design and Best Original Song. One other idea I have been contemplating seriously is to write about what I know from my studies and work in Psychology. There are many gaps in the streaming entertainment juggernaut that haven't covered the area I am thinking of. Would make an excellent TV Series.