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Past Filmmakers
The
Elements
The
Interview
 1.
How did you come up with the idea for the film?
We knew that we wanted to make another dance piece. We completed
a short DV lyrical dance film in 2000, set to a beautiful live version
of a Rachmaninov piece. Jane was the only dancer in that one, and
it was less than five minutes long. We wanted to make a bigger,
more extravagant production with more music, dancers, effects, and
we wanted to shoot it on film. It took a few months for the idea
to develop, of course, but we knew that the four elements could
be visually and musically represented in an infinite number of ways...it
was a creative person's dream come true! We had to really think
about which aspects of the elements we wanted to portray, and how
we wanted to communicate our ideas about them. After a while we
decided to only focus on the positive, creative force connected
to each element, and not the destructive, violent side which each
element has- earthquakes, wild fire, hurricanes, tidal waves, etc.
We also wanted to make each element as unique as possible- to test
out the different looks and sounds that we could get, and to make
the film more exciting to watch.
2. How long did the production process take?
We worked with our four composers first, in March of 2001. We wanted
to have completed music tracks first, before we began choreographing
and setting visuals. We began casting and rehearsing in June and
July, and we shot from August 1st through October 6th. Each element
was shot in one very long day (or very long night, in the case of
"fire".) Our shooting schedule was slightly delayed due
to complications arising out of the September 11th tragedies. We
started editing the first 2 elements in September, and completed
the entire film by the end of November. The editing was extremely
time intensive and much more challenging than we expected. We had
about four hours of great footage, and it was difficult to whittle
it down to only 15 minutes. We threw ourselves a fantastic gala
premiere party on November 30, 2001 and invited all of the cast,
crew, and professors from UNCG. (So all in all, about nine months.)
3. What challenges did you experience in the creation
of the film?
We were on a very tight budget, that was one very big challenge.
We saved money by making our own costumes for 3 of the elements,
doing whatever we could on our own, and we were lucky enough to
have wonderfully talented people donating their time and equipment
to the film. For example, one of our DP's Gregg Easterbrook shot
two of the elements, water and air. He donated his time, expertise,
and his fantastic Arri camera package- all free of charge. Eric
Lowell also donated hundreds of yards of fabric for our "water"
set, again saving us tons of money. We can't thank them enough for
their generosity! It was also difficult to organize some of the
shoots, to gather our cast and crew together, since they were not
getting paid. We had to postpone our "fire" shoot due
to rain, and it was hard to get in touch with people and reschedule.
Overall, it was an extremely challenging project, simply because
we played so many roles in production: we produced it, wrote it,
directed it, edited it, found locations, made the costumes, did
hair, make-up, sound design, catered, and Jane choreographed it
and danced in each one. It was a lot to do at once, and in a relatively
short time period while Christoph was a T.A. at the University,
and Jane was teaching dance classes 4-5 days per week. I always
say, it was by far the most difficult thing I have ever done- physically,
mentally, emotionally- the hardest thing...and I can't wait to work
on the next film!
4. What is your favorite memory from creating the
film?
Each element was so unique, and so exciting, it's always hard for
us to pick our favorite one. It was a dream come true making this
film. It's the greatest feeling to have ideas and visions in your
head, and then watch them come to life on film. We have great memories
of covering ourselves in gold body paint and dancing around a bonfire
until 4:00 in the morning. It is such a bonding experience to work
with people who are excited about a your project, and create something
beautiful. I guess the best memory wasn't in the creation, but in
the end, at our premiere party...we had 140 people at our black-tie
optional gala at Weatherspoon Art Gallery in Greensboro. Everyone
who was a part of the film and our lives in Greensboro came to see
our great accomplishment. It was a fantastic night, a night we will
never forget. Two weeks later, we hit the road for LA and moved
across the country, so it was not only a gala screening, but a wonderful
farewell party too.
5. When someone has finished watching the film,
what do you hope they take away from the experience?
We hope that people really enjoy watching the film- that they are
moved by the beautiful images and original music. We hope that it
is a new experience for them, that they see things they have never
seen or thought of before. There's also that metaphysical side of
the film, which will hopefully make people think about the interconnectedness
of all living things. It is important for us that our films work
on many levels- on a purely literal, basic level where it's just
fun to watch, and then on a deeper, more intellectual level, where
it gives the viewer something to think about as well.
6. What type of reaction has your film received
from viewers?
It seems like most people who see the film really enjoy it. Not
just dancers and musicians, but people interested in all types of
film seem to really like it. We put so much of ourselves and our
hearts and souls into it, so it makes us so happy to hear that!
It's been doing very well in the festivals we've entered it in-
all festivals except the dance festivals, ironically enough. But
besides that, we've won a first place Student Emmy, screened it
in Cannes, France at Kodak's "Emerging Filmmaker Night",
won 1st Place Film at the Lamar Spindletop Festival, and entered
it in many more that we're still waiting to hear from.
7. What advice would you give to aspiring young
filmmakers?
Follow your dreams! Passion is the most important thing. You have
to believe in your work, and be willing to do whatever it takes
to create it. Then it's all a labor of love, and that is reflected
in your work.
8. Please tell us about the next film you plan
to work on?
We have a few ideas, but our next project will most likely be a
music video. We love working with music, dance, and film. We're
looking for an up-and-coming unsigned band to make a music video
for with the Kodak grant of film stock that we won from the Student
Emmys.
I also want to make more comedies and dance pieces.
There is so much ugliness in this world, I'd like to contribute
only loving, funny, beautiful works of art.
9. What are your thoughts on the film industry
in NC?
We can only speak from our limited perspective as student filmmakers.
There were pros and cons to making a film in North Carolina. It
was difficult to get good equipment close by. We had to drive over
an hour to Chapel Hill each way to get a simple dolly. It wasn't
too fun to do that at 5 in the morning after being up all night
shooting fire. On the other hand, we found a tremendous pool of
talented, professional, enthusiastic people willing to work on the
project...you don't have to be in LA or New York to find great actors,
dancers, musicians, cameramen, and crew! The locations were fantastic
as well, though a bit tricky to find sometimes. We shot "earth"
in Hanging Rock State Park, and everyone who sees the film is amazed
by the natural beauty of North Carolina.
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