Past Filmmakers

Joshua Gibson
Cats

1. How did you come up with the idea for the film?
After reading Gaston Bachelard's The Poetics of Space, I became interested in the narrative and emotive possibilities of architectural space itself. As my wife and I were in the process of moving from the house we had been living in, I decided to document that space for posterity and see where that might lead in terms of narrative. The video was shot in chronological order, without a predetermined script, starring my wife, my dog and my house. It is for all intents and purposes a "home" video.

2) How long did the production process take?
4 days.

3) What challenges did you experience in the creation of the film?
I knew from the start that I wanted an exploring camera, with lots of controlled movement; however, I did not want a standard production crew on this personal video. The challenge was to develop a method of shooting (and post-processing) video that enabled me to function as the sole crewmember (with an occasional single assistant) and achieve a look that gives greater depth, movement and mystery to the video image itself.

4) What is your favorite memory from creating the film?
The feeling of artistic liberation of working without a predetermined script and having a minimal crew.

5. When someone has finished watching the film, what do you hope they take away from the experience?
Despite the fact that this is a personal film, I hope that the viewer is able to experience (if not a narrative) a psychological and emotional trajectory of images.

6. What type of reaction has your film received from viewers?
 It has only recently been finished and has had very few screenings.

7. What advice would you give to aspiring young filmmakers?
 Make work. Don't become impotent by fundraising, format, or logistics. Use whatever is at hand and stay active, developing your aesthetic and visual vocabulary.

8. Please tell us about the next film you plan to work on?
An experimental documentary about the original Siamese twins, Chang and Eng Bunker.

9. What are your thoughts on the film industry in NC?
 In my world I have little interaction with the film industry in North Carolina, however the independent film community is vibrant.