BRINK, 27min., Canada
Directed by David VanDyke
Out of work and desperate for money, a struggling family man plots an elaborate scheme to secure a cash grab that would exceed his drug-fueled ambitions.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16899900/?ref_=nm_knf_i3
https://www.facebook.com/brinkofficialpage

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I've always loved crime films, especially true crime so when I discovered an old newscast on the Brinks truck robbery that my film is based on, I was immediately hooked to adapt it into a short film.

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

It was a long and wild ride although one of the most fulfilling of my life to say the least. From the initial conception to the finished film I'd say it took about 3 years.

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

It's funny because I have a 3 word tagline for the film but if I had to choose 2 out of the 3 it'd be; Money. Family.

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

Other than the generic answer of budget issues, the weather/climate was a big one and the reason the film took so long. We shot our first 3 days of principal photography during a very specific part of autumn where the leaves were all a yellowish red color. We weren't able to get everything shot that we wanted during that time so we had to push production a year just so we could get the same look. Furthermore we ended saving our most logistically challenging scene for our final day of production in November of 2021. The scene required us to film two cars on a long stretch of road at night. After having postponed it for so long because of the weather I decided to just stick a date on the calendar and stick to it. Well it turned out that day would be one of the rainiest on record for southern BC, Canada. We ended up making it work though that proved to be our most challenging day by far.

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

I was overjoyed with the amount of positive feedback BRINK received. It gave me a great sense of gratitude and satisfaction knowing that I've created something that really resonates with people.

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

I must have been about 12 when the film bug really bit. Since then it's just been about figuring how to make bigger, better and more ambitious projects.

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

It's been a mixed bag although it probably has to be Indiana Jones & The Raiders Of The Lost Ark. I've been an Indiana Jones fanboy since first seeing it about 10 years ago and it's been a big influence in my creative journey.

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

So much of my journey has been the lessons and knowledge gleaned from connecting with other filmmakers like myself so having a platform where we all can coalesce is very valuable to me. Something like a social network specific to Independent filmmakers would be really cool.

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

It's been a breeze, FilmFreeway makes it really easy for beginners and experts alike to get their films seen on a global scale. Also, I'd highly recommend FilmFreeway Gold if you submit to more than a few festivals.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Gotta go with the classic burger and fries!

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

I'm currently finishing production on a short film called Alphabet Soup about two estranged brothers and their terminally sick mother. It's my most personal and heartfelt to date so I'm excited to bring it to audiences near and far!