BEHIND THE SCENES AND Q&A > ROTARY PHONE: AN UNOFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
ROTARY PHONE: AN UNOFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
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Q&A WITH CREATOR ANNIE QUICK
1. What is your background in sketch/comedy/film?
15-20 years in the film biz, depending on how you're counting. Lots of doing this and that and everything. For the last 10 years mostly post production -- motion graphics and editing. Relatively new to comedy, though. Took my first improv classes in 2012 at Magnet. 2. Tell us about some of the challenges of making your film. This is the most production-y self-generated film I've ever made. Lots of cast to manage, and set pieces and costumes to make. It took forever. The biggest time outlay was the giant cardboard octopus. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Luckily, I got a lot of help, for which I am eternally grateful. I get all choked up when I think of how Jim and Joe and Ashley and Dennis all sat at my house and cut out octopus tentacle parts. *Sniff.* The other big challenge was how long it took to edit. Each thing had to be keyed out and moved around separately. At times there are up to seven dancers on screen at once, plus a dolphin, a submarine, paper water layers, lots of cardboard kelp to individually wave, and an octopus (need I mention an octopus has eight arms?) Each of those things needs it's own treatment and motion, and then it all has to go together at just the right time--all 12 + elementsI was pretty certain I'd never finish it. 3. What would you do differently if you were to make this film again? I think I might have made everything smaller. And I would probably just simplify overall--the story, the sets, the costumes, everything. I sort of ran myself ragged all winter to get everything done. In any case, I'd definately not spend all that time on the octopus--It was a giant pain in the ass--but even so, It was so great when it was on the blue screen and the tentacles were moving around. I mean, I MADE AN OCTOPUS, damn! But now it's taking up a huge amount of space in my house: at least it's recyclable. 4. What's next for you? What's your next film project going to look like? I have to get through a lot of work projects before I can even think about that. But it'll probably have to do with Science Time. Gotta get back to PQ Gun and what's going on in her life. 5. Tell us about the Magnet Video lab and its role in making this film happen. This film would in no way be possible without the Video Lab. I got so much awesome feedback and help figuring out what it was going to be. Everyone really rallied to help shoot it too. Jim Turner and Greg Yakubov did a great job directing and DP-ing. Dan Dobransky was there to put on whatever costume I brought out--he was at times a swimmer, the dolphin and the octopus. James and Shalini also did dolphin duty. It was really fun. 6. Where did the inspiration for this video come from? I recently discovered the world of synchronized swimming movies from the '50s. That is some awesomely weird shit. Who gave the go-ahead for Esther Willaims to dive from high cranes, jump from helicopters and balance three waterskiing dudes high? And she does it all with a demure (if somewhat frozen) smile. She could easily kick your ass in her modest, pink bathing costume, but she won't, because it's the '50s and she's doing her best to remain totally non-threatening while packing weapons-grade thigh muscles. Also, I've been yearning for a dolphin pal, so... I made one out of cardboard. He's very friendly. 7. How did the Magnet Video Lab help you grow as an artist from Season 2 to Season 3? Feedback! It is so good for you! I've been doing this for a lot of years, and I've never progressed faster than since I've been in the Video Lab. Every single week I get to see my own project through other people's eyes, and I also get to help them see their stuff through my eyes. It's a real learning experience to go to other people's sets and to help them bring their idea out into the world. I'm sorta learning from my lab mates how to get stuff done. Of course, the lab only works if everyone is awesome, trustworthy, and honest-but-not-mean. It's a real fine row to hoe, and everyone at the lab does it well. It's very mutually supportive environment, and I'm really proud and thankful to be a part of it. |
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Minerva Gun drops out of society and finds herself in a strange, underwater adventure.
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