MITO, 7min,. USA
Directed by Steve West
Two companions venture through space, negotiating peril and cosmic ennui in search of a new home.

http://lazychief.com/
https://instagram.com/lazychief

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

My initial motivation for the project was in March 2020 during the first coronavirus restrictions but I abandoned it until around May 2023 when my cat Chief died of kidney failure. The death of the companion had always been part of the story but missing such a big part of my life that had been with me for 17 years encouraged me to finish the project.

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

I started in March 2020 and completed in September 2023 but about 75% of the project was done between May and September 2023.

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

Grief quest.

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

Working in 9:16. Because everyone was spending a lot of time during 2020 communicating through devices, portrait felt like the right format for the story and it also helped exaggerate the feeling of confinement. In my commercial work, I'm often asked to re-format widescreen to portrait and it always feels a little clumsy, so I wanted to create something that was made specifically to fit that aspect ratio instead of just an afterthought. It's a horrible format to work in, partially just because it's so unfamiliar but any interactions between two characters are a particular challenge. I think it had mixed success but it won't be a format I'm choosing for my next personal work.

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

Extremely grateful. People's time is valuable and seeing everyone give such thoughtful and considerate feedback was heartening.

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

Probably when playing a PC game called Stunt Island in the early '90s. It was a flight simulator but had this level editor built into it that allowed you to create basic 3d scenes and use simple code to animate props, then you could cut everything together in an editing room and add music and sound effects. It's maybe a little disingenuous to say this because I'm not sure back then I realized anything to do with making films was a real job that regular people could do but it's the first time I remember enjoying something related to filmmaking and I think if someone told me that I was actually making short films and not playing a computer game I might have realised earlier.

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

Probably Aliens or Back to the Future

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

Hmmm... A virtual step & repeat?

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

Excellent. Nobody wants to fill out almost identical forms a bunch of times and it's a great way to find out about international festivals.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I love food so this changes a lot. Right now it's the Beef Potstickers from East Wind Snack shop in Brooklyn.

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

I have a few mixed media animation ideas I want to experiment with a little first but the idea would be to put some of those techniques into a new animation.