An INTERVIEW WITH ANTONIOS PAPANTONIOU (Director, NIGHTLAB)

With TROMADANCE PROGRAMMER, JONATHAN LEES

START

metaphisto74
12:30 PM Hi Antonios… It’s Jonathan from TromaDance…perfect timing
12:30 PM so it works?!

zachant
12:30 PM it seems so!

metaphisto74
12:31 PM what are you up to now?

zachant
12:31 PM I was listening to an audio commentary by Cronenberg

metaphisto74
12:32 PM nice…for what film

zachant
12:32 PM Videodrome

metaphisto74
12:32 PM inspiring?

zachant
12:33 PM Yes, I am very much intrigued by his intellectualism

metaphisto74
12:34 PM Well If you ever want to drop him back down to human level just remember that he was in Jason X (Friday The 13th)

zachant
12:35 PM Well I didn’t know about that! I will have that in mind.

12:37 PM it’s a new form…an electric conversation transcribed
zachant
12:38 PM It is very interesting.

metaphisto74
12:38 PM rather than an old analogue tape recorder and me reinterpreting your words

zachant
12:38 PM Well, it has a strange quality about it.

metaphisto74
12:38 PM speaking of an electric conversation…this is seemingly what Nightlab has with an audience

zachant
12:39 PM This sounds like a positive thing.

metaphisto74
12:39 PM it traps them in an unfamiliar environment and though strobes, flickers and slowdowns paints the image on your eyeball…what came first to you as an idea…the idea behind the film or the execution?
12:40 PM the technique?

zachant
12:41 PM I believe it was both. I was interested in the technical aspect of it, as well as the idea of constructing certain images I had in my mind.

metaphisto74
12:42 PM before we continue on that note…tell our readers in one line what NIGHTLAB explores

zachant
12:44 PM I like to believe it explores the idea of Film as a form in general. But the exploration of a main theme was never in my mind in the first place, particularly for this type of exercise as I would like to call it.

metaphisto74
12:46 PM interesting…were you concerned about a mood or emotion you wanted to generate when starting this project?

zachant
12:48 PM Yes, I was. The feeling of kinetic images and sequences following one another and perhaps the generation of an abstract, kind of surreal dream-like world, where the main hero is never able to explain.

metaphisto74
12:49 PM I’m glad you said that since the structure is very disorienting for the audience as well as the hero…were you ever worried that audiences wouldn’t understand your intentions?

zachant
12:52 PM To be quite honest I was worried about that aspect. The pure narrative part, while it evolves in a certain way and sort of speaking going from point A to point B, nevertheless it does not become very clear to the average viewer for its intentions. Although, I think there is still an idea of a story behind it.

metaphisto74
12:53 PM absolutely…and a dark, dangerous story you have led us into. What’s great about NIGHTLAB is that as it distorts and plays with filmic structure, it’s environment and sense of danger are very real
12:54 PM does any of this "dangerous environment" come from your background as a Political Science major? lol

zachant
12:56 PM lol Perhaps it was my discontent about a direction I didn’t really want to pursue in my life. I never felt I was influenced by majoring in Political Science.

metaphisto74
12:58 PM…I was speaking more from the dangerous situation our world is in…the environment on display seems to involve a world of governmental hunts, science gone wrong and mind control…
12:58 PM even the nature of the woods seems toxic

zachant
1:03 PM It’s very interesting you point in that direction. I believe there are viewers who find this kind of political connection. That was never my intention though. Surely, not governmental hunts. Science is there as a strong concept. Mind control more from an esoteric point of view, perhaps. I believe my main drive came from the exploration of the last scene, where the concept of Science makes its point in a detached and cold kind of way.

metaphisto74
1:06 PM what’s interesting here is that it can be interpreted in many different ways…which the best experimental films achieve. However, unlike many other experimental movies, yours goes beyond structural warping and exhibits a strong sense of story through atmosphere and pacing. Let’s talk about the pacing…was this something you outlined ahead of time or did the slowdown, strobing and flickering come to you in post…and please explain your interest in working with infrared video…

zachant
1:15 PM The exploration of the narrative device as a vehicle was always in my mind from the beginning. I was interested in telling a "story" in moving images. I wanted to do that as a test for my filmmaking abilities. Could I narrate something as a "storyteller". But then of course, the mechanisms of the story itself were not very important for me. So the roots of the pacing were born out of that need. Then the aesthetics factor was a puzzling one for me to choose, because I was not sure of the kind of photographic quality I was going to have. Even though I outlined as much as I could ahead of time with storyboards and overall views, the initial shooting was going to take place during the day. The texture of the video form was proven to be a growingly negative factor for the main idea, since it..

1:21 PM trapped everything under the plastic surface of video, a thing I highly disliked. Choosing infrared nightshot was eventually born as a necessity on my part to shoot something which had the prospect of an exciting photographic quality. The strobing technique was generated during the actual shooting, from an inbred digital feature of my handheld camera. Thus the concept of day shooting changed to Night. But, as a general thought I am indeed very appealed by the whole notion of infrared cinematography, which I find extremely exciting and mesmerizing.

metaphisto74
1:27 PM me too! It’s amazing to me that infrared and nighttime setting came later in the development since they seem so natural to this movie’s existence…and this is one of the few projects that champions the use of video in order of progressing a medium. Do you feel this project exists due to the nature of handheld video technology or would you have preferred film? Personally, I feel the video adds to the nature of the surveillance style stalking and inherent creepiness of its "live capturing" feel…

zachant
1:35 PM Again, it is very interesting you’re referring to the connection between Film and Video. As a finished work - after the fact - its special aesthetic interest lies and is probably examined under that perspective, that you are referring to. I am very happy as it is, in that specific kind of form. As an exploration of the video form. As I would like to believe, there is a successful feeling in capturing infrared images with Video but transporting them to Film-like dimension.

metaphisto74
1:54 PM do you want to give us a teaser of what we can expect from your new movie

zachant
1:55 PM Yes I would like to very much.

metaphisto74
1:55 PM what’s the concept

zachant
1:58 PM I view it as a continuation of ideas already explored in Nightlab. The original cut has an approximate duration of 30min, one actor and complete lack of dialogue. I tend to believe that once again the form itself provides the concept.

metaphisto74
2:00 PM We’ll be looking forward to it

zachant
2:00 PM Thank you.

metaphisto74
2:01 PM I saw that you’re short NIGHTLAB has moved beyond TromaDance and into the ON THE LOT competition…how are the viewers reactions towards it (friends not included!)

zachant
2:07 PM This is a very interesting topic. Overall, there is a positive feedback. So far I have chosen not to tell any of my friends about it, because I was curious to witness a first-hand approach by the members being there. Some of them have already a genuine friendly attitude towards me, so it could be the case that those views are biased. But, again I don’t consider On The Lot the best possible platform for such a project, due to its immense obedience to the narrative form and storytelling in its commercial aspect of it. It was interesting for me to be there nevertheless. And to be quite honest, it is a free promotion of one’s work.

metaphisto74
2:10 PM I agree…it’s a very bizarre forum for your movie but I’m glad you explored the option. The concept of you entering this contest is the same approach I take in programming work such as yours in a festival like TromaDance…to expose people who may have never seen experimental work and educate them to the new forms and ideas emerging today
2:12 PM thanks a lot for doing this…is there anything you want to add about the festival experience or making films in a truly independent manner for our readers?

zachant
2:16 PM I have to thank you for this great opportunity. It was my pleasure talking to you. I’m still learning and really trying to overcome whatever day to day obstacles there are, which become a burden in giving you the freedom to explore your ideas and thrive in a filmmaking environment. I hope that all filmmakers and film lovers out there manage to have that kind of equilibrium which is so important for their Art to flourish.

END

FILMMAKER’S BIO (in his own words):

I am a graduate from the University of Athens with a B.A. in Political Science. I have attended courses on editing and have worked as assistant director in live-news, assistant editor in reality games, production assistant in documentary episodes and so on. These jobs were never artistically fruitful or emotionally satisfying. Although, my main cinematic inspiration comes from the visionary American filmmakers of the 70s, I am open to all kinds of films and forms as long as they share a strong directorial point of view. An alert eye to experimental work is also very important for my searches. NIGHTLAB is my first short film. It was shot with a handheld mini-DV camera with no crew.

Hi everyone!

Annually, we like to present a stripped down, best of Tromadance screening in NYC. For this year, I am very excited to announce we will be part of the calendar screenings for the famed Anthology Film Archives (founded by avant-garde filmmaker, Jonas Mekas)! The shows will take place on
APRIL 13th & 14th from 7-9pm.

Because this is a traditional venue, we can screen these films in their finest glory!

We are proud to showcase these fine works, from around the world, fresh from screening at the 2007 8th Annual TromaDance Film Festival in Park City, UT.

All proceeds of these screenings go to support New York’s champion of truly independent cinema, Anthology Film Archives.

Schedule for Friday is as follows:

FRIDAY, APRIL 13th
7pm-9pm

PROGRAM 1:
TRT: 95 min.

13 Ways To Die At Home
Director: Lee Lanier
TRT: 1:40 min

Poison toads. Missing socks. Carpet leeches. So many ways to die at home!

The Man with Apple-Shaped Boxing Gloves
Director: Jason LaRay Keener & Jeremiah Ledbetter
TRT: 7:43 min

An assault of bizarre scenarios such as a man finding a dead bird in a rat trap and an elderly woman trying to retrieve her taxes from a dog.

Night of the Living Gay
Director: Lola RockNRolla
TRT: 12 min

Gay zombies have taken over New York. What will happen if they bite you?!!

Fuddlebe
Director: John Reed
TRT: 11:15

The story of an old man who runs a funeral home in a small town where no one seems to die. (animation)

Happy Birthday 2 You (original title: Y que cumplas mucho mas)
Director: David Alcalde
TRT: 14 min

A story about murder, cats and birthday presents.

Hollow
Director: Paul Bickel
TRT: 9 min

Initially, it seems to be a portrait of the American family…

Day Off the Dead
Director: Lee Lanier
TRT: 6:40 min

Dead guy and dead girl try to find romance in a dead world.

Frenchie The Clown
Director: Heidi Sjursen
TRT: 27 min

A super campy and colorful tale of a joyful french clown driven to the brink of insanity by a bunch of nasty little brats.

Shameless
Director: Yakov Levi
TRT: 6 min

See how for 3 young men will go on a dare with Baba Alla – oh…you don’t know Baba? Well once you meet her, you will surely never forget.

SATURDAY, APRIL 14th
7pm - 9pm

PROGRAM 2:
TRT: 103 minutes

Pinch Me Jesus
Director: James Scott
TRT: 3 min

A 1991 commercial for the Rev. Marion Dufresne’s hit album ‘Pinch Me Jesus!’. Go to heaven or your money back!

I’m Keith Hernandez
Director: Rob Perri
TRT: 19 min

A version of Hernandez’s life is utilized to discuss how male identity is shaped by media.

DVD
Director: Ciro Altabas
TRT: 17 min

A love/hate story structured in the mindset of a DVD collecting obsessive.

Chingaso The Clown
Director: Elias Matar
TRT: 15:00

Chingaso, whose parents were victims of the ruthless clown Boss, Bastard the Clown, must become what he hates most.

Devon’s Journal
Director: Mike Terrell
TRT: 4:30 min

Devon likes candy, burritos and watching horror movies. He also likes to write in his journal. Pray you’re not in it. (animation)

Witchwise
Director: Joe Harris
TRT: 13 min

A swirling tale of horror and magic, murder and vengeance in which one bad little boy learns an important lesson- Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it!

Violeta, la pescadora del mar negro
Director: Marc Ribas & Anna Solanas
TRT: 9 min

Violeta loves best fishing into the darkest depths. (animation)

The Eyes of Edward James
Director: Rodrigo Gudino
TRT: 15 min

Edward is regressed into the traumatic memory of the evening that his wife, Sarah, was brutally murdered. As his story unveils, however, it becomes apparent that what is seen through Edward’s eyes is different from what his doctor believes is happening.

Filthy Food
Director: T. Arthur Cottam
TRT: 5:10 min

Eat it. Lick it. Suck it. Swallow it. Relax, it’s just food.

TromaDance is the first film festival wholeheartedly devoted to filmmakers and fans. Unlike every other film festival, TromaDance does not charge filmmakers to submit their films and instead presents an opportunity for everyone who’s ever picked up a camera to have their work seen without the compromises required by elitist cartel interference. We are proud to be the first and only film festival of the people, for the people, and by the people.

See you in the dark,

Jonathan Lees
Curator, TromaDance Film Festival

Lloyd Kaufman
Founder, TromaDance Film Festival

Hi everyone!

Annually, we like to present a stripped down, best of Tromadance screening in NYC. For this year, I am very excited to announce we will be part of the calendar screenings for the famed Anthology Film Archives (founded by avant-garde filmmaker, Jonas Mekas)! The shows will take place on
APRIL 13th & 14th from 7-9pm.

Because this is a traditional venue, we can screen these films in their finest glory!

We are proud to showcase these fine works, from around the world, fresh from screening at the 2007 8th Annual TromaDance Film Festival in Park City, UT.

All proceeds of these screenings go to support New York’s champion of truly independent cinema, Anthology Film Archives.

Schedule for Saturday is as follows:

SATURDAY, APRIL 14th
7pm - 9pm

PROGRAM 2:
TRT: 103 minutes

Pinch Me Jesus
Director: James Scott
TRT: 3 min

A 1991 commercial for the Rev. Marion Dufresne’s hit album ‘Pinch Me Jesus!’. Go to heaven or your money back!

I’m Keith Hernandez
Director: Rob Perri
TRT: 19 min

A version of Hernandez’s life is utilized to discuss how male identity is shaped by media.

DVD
Director: Ciro Altabas
TRT: 17 min

A love/hate story structured in the mindset of a DVD collecting obsessive.

Chingaso The Clown
Director: Elias Matar
TRT: 15:00

Chingaso, whose parents were victims of the ruthless clown Boss, Bastard the Clown, must become what he hates most.

Devon’s Journal
Director: Mike Terrell
TRT: 4:30 min

Devon likes candy, burritos and watching horror movies. He also likes to write in his journal. Pray you’re not in it. (animation)

Witchwise
Director: Joe Harris
TRT: 13 min

A swirling tale of horror and magic, murder and vengeance in which one bad little boy learns an important lesson- Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it!

Violeta, la pescadora del mar negro
Director: Marc Ribas & Anna Solanas
TRT: 9 min

Violeta loves best fishing into the darkest depths. (animation)

The Eyes of Edward James
Director: Rodrigo Gudino
TRT: 15 min

Edward is regressed into the traumatic memory of the evening that his wife, Sarah, was brutally murdered. As his story unveils, however, it becomes apparent that what is seen through Edward’s eyes is different from what his doctor believes is happening.

Filthy Food
Director: T. Arthur Cottam
TRT: 5:10 min

Eat it. Lick it. Suck it. Swallow it. Relax, it’s just food.

Below is Friday, April 13th’s lineup:

FRIDAY, APRIL 13th
7pm-9pm

PROGRAM 1:
TRT: 95 min.

13 Ways To Die At Home
Director: Lee Lanier
TRT: 1:40 min

Poison toads. Missing socks. Carpet leeches. So many ways to die at home!

The Man with Apple-Shaped Boxing Gloves
Director: Jason LaRay Keener & Jeremiah Ledbetter
TRT: 7:43 min

An assault of bizarre scenarios such as a man finding a dead bird in a rat trap and an elderly woman trying to retrieve her taxes from a dog.

Night of the Living Gay
Director: Lola RockNRolla
TRT: 12 min

Gay zombies have taken over New York. What will happen if they bite you?!!

Fuddlebe
Director: John Reed
TRT: 11:15

The story of an old man who runs a funeral home in a small town where no one seems to die. (animation)

Happy Birthday 2 You (original title: Y que cumplas mucho mas)
Director: David Alcalde
TRT: 14 min

A story about murder, cats and birthday presents.

Hollow
Director: Paul Bickel
TRT: 9 min

Initially, it seems to be a portrait of the American family…

Day Off the Dead
Director: Lee Lanier
TRT: 6:40 min

Dead guy and dead girl try to find romance in a dead world.

Frenchie The Clown
Director: Heidi Sjursen
TRT: 27 min

A super campy and colorful tale of a joyful french clown driven to the brink of insanity by a bunch of nasty little brats.

Shameless
Director: Yakov Levi
TRT: 6 min

See how for 3 young men will go on a dare with Baba Alla – oh…you don’t know Baba? Well once you meet her, you will surely never forget.

TromaDance is the first film festival wholeheartedly devoted to filmmakers and fans. Unlike every other film festival, TromaDance does not charge filmmakers to submit their films and instead presents an opportunity for everyone who’s ever picked up a camera to have their work seen without the compromises required by elitist cartel interference. We are proud to be the first and only film festival of the people, for the people, and by the people.

See you in the dark,

Jonathan Lees
Curator, TromaDance Film Festival

Lloyd Kaufman
Founder, TromaDance Film Festival

Congratulations to Anna Biller, the innovative filmmaker behind the this year’s film sensation VIVA, for winning the Kodack Independent Spirit Award out of all the filmmakers from this year’s TromaDance film festival in Park City UT! This prize is given to filmmakers who, through their art and dedication to truly independent cinema, represent the philosophy behind the TromaDance Film Festival.

TromaDance Film Festival Founder Lloyd Kaufman will be on hand to present Anna with the Kodak Independent Spirit Award. VIVA is the opening film of NYUFF.

New York Underground Film Festival
Weds March 28th, 2007
8:00pm
Anthology Film Archives
32 2nd Ave @ 2nd St.
New York, NY

Congratulations to Anna Biller and the cast & crew of VIVA on the film’s NEW YORK PREMIERE at the NEW YORK UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL!

TromaDance Film Festival Founder Lloyd Kaufman will be on hand to present Anna with the Kodak Independent Spirit Award– the top filmmaker prize from TROMADANCE 2007! VIVA is the opening film of NYUFF.

New York Underground Film Festival
Weds March 28th, 2007
8:00pm
Anthology Film Archives
32 2nd Ave @ 2nd St.
New York, NY

A session with director, Rodrigo Gudiño

“The horror genre is extremely derivative.”

Not an unusual statement given at any moment by a horror fan, considering the rampant rate that the movie industry is hellbent on remaking and rehashing every plot trope and film we hold dear. The statement is quite unusual and refreshingly frank from Rodrigo Gudiño, president of Marrs Media, Inc. and founder of one of North America’s most relevant dark fantasy publication, Rue Morgue.

This year, at the eighth annual TromaDance Film Festival in Park City, UT, Mr. Gudiño was not a panelist or a sponsor, he was an accepted entrant presenting his directorial debut short, The Eyes Of Edward James, a stunning cinematic psychotherapy session that strips the layers of the protagonist’s subconscious to relive a traumatic event in his life.

“I wanted to write and direct before getting involved with [Rue Morgue],” says Gudiño. “I thought it was my stepping stone…into the film biz and that’s the way it played out.” He adds, “I’ve always been a storyteller. Less about effects, more about the story,” getting in one more jab at the behemoth machine churning out money-making messes, where even a blade into a neck or a shadow on the wall could be computer generated.

Last year after writing around nine short scripts, Rodrigo was faced with the cruel decision of which baby to birth first. His choice is one that is similar to most independent artists struggling to make their vision a reality. “Shoot the most inexpensive one,” he states, “Even though [The Eyes of Edward James] wasn’t emblematic of where I was going as a filmmaker, I used it as my Filmmaking 101.”

As Gudiño has been at the helm of Rue Morgue and at the forefront of everything horror, I asked if he found it difficult to discover a story that remained fresh considering how inundated he was with other people’s ideas. He answered with a statement I hope echoes in the head of every person making films today. “It’s very easy to color outside of the lines…to be original.” “As someone who has read editorials for the past 10 years, I love all types of horror…to criticize and celebrate. [Rue Morgue’s] tastes are left of center, we’re always looking to discover new ideas.”

The Eyes Of Edward James uses the complex and mechanical triggers of a hypnotic therapy session, keeping the audience’s gaze darting around the screen looking for new clues as we walk down a repetitious, first-person journey to discover what happened the night that has caused him so much anguish. Not unlike a musical composition, the camera, actors and dialogue were in perfect harmony, each leading the story to its shocking crescendo. As a lover of puzzles, Gudiño notes that the film has “levels of deceit” and “duplicitous relationships” in which the viewer is coerced into contributing their own ideas leading up to the final reveal. In reliance on a first person viewpoint and the voices of doctor and patient to advance the narrative, Gudiño faced his biggest challenge. “The hardest part of making The Eyes Of Edward James was choreographing. Dialogue was live on set and timed for a voice over in ADR. The takes were over two and a half minutes long and whenever the character of Sarah is speaking the actors have to follow the beats of her lines.” In order to prepare this difficult task, Rodrigo took a digital camera and shot the whole movie with another actor, so his cinematographer knew the pacing and direction. For the actual movie, Rodrigo relied on the indie film workhorse, Panasonic’s DVX100 and utilized subtle color shifts in post to reflect the mood of each set piece. Despite the fact that he had problems with digital video’s noisy handling of darkness and had to replace the voice of Edward James in post, he also has a movie that is dark, fresh and exciting.

Rodrigo believes the movie “set the groundwork for Rue Morgue films” and that he’s looking forward to continue “coloring outside the lines” in the future. That future is right around the corner as Gudiño mentions he has just finished shooting his new Super 16mm short, Demonology Of Desire and will move on to features; films that “satisfy me personally and not what’s determined”.

What can be determined is that after the enthusiastic audience reaction to ‘The Eyes Of Edward James’, director Rodrigo Gudiño will be keeping our ‘Eyes’ peeled for a long time to come.

Jonathan Lees
Program Director, TromaDance Film Festival

If you missed ‘The Eyes of Edward James’ at the 8th Annual TromaDance Film Festival, look for it at the Boston Undergound Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, Le Festival Americque and the University Of Toronto Film Festival.

TromaDance is a non-profit, free film festival run completely by volunteers in Park City, UT on the same street and the same time as the Sundance Film Festival. TromaDance does not charge filmmakers to submit their films, nor does it charge the audience to see the films. TromaDance is a film festival for the people and by the people.
Submit your film or read the latest info at: www.tromadance.com