Past Filmmakerss

Jason Dickason
Plastic Dinosaurs 12:50

1. How did you come up with the idea for the film?

It started as a simple idea about relationships and how sometimes they can't work even if both parties love each other.  Because they have different ambitions, love just isn't enough.  I guess I had been watching a lot of relationship films and had just been there with a friend as he had experienced similar problems.

2. How long did the production process take?

We had one month to prepare the preproduction and four days to actually shoot.  The budget was $750 dollars.  The bedroom was built on stage over the course of four nights before production began.

3. What challenges did you experience in the creation of the film?

There was a lot of trouble finding actors and getting locations, which is common with student films. Honestly it seemed we had almost nothing locked into place a week before shooting, then myself, the DP, and the 1st AD just sort of took charge and found actors, locations, and took over building the set.  Both the producer and Designer had fallen so far behind; we just couldn't wait for them any longer.  There was also the post process which was interesting because the editor and I started rearranging the way the story was told.  It wasn't how I wrote it, but after talking about the ideas in the film, we thought we'd try a different kind of structure, a non-narrative style.

It wasn't easy to find one that worked, but I feel in the end we were successful.

4. What is your favorite memory from creating the film?

A: Probably falling asleep on-set with both of my actors.  It was lunch and we had all three been up late the night before.  I lay down on the bed while I waited for everyone else to go through the line for food.  I sorta just passed out.  When I came to, the gaffer and electrics were lighting the bed, and both my actors had curled up next to me and fallen asleep too.  Let's just say it is amazing to find such a comfortable cast to work with.

5. When someone has finished watching the film, what do you hope they take away from the experience?

Mostly I want them to decide.  Most people walk away feeling that they just watched a memory of some past relationship.  Everyone comments that it's sad.  I guess I want people to feel the emotions they believe the characters feel.  As I said before it's a story about how love does not always conquer all.  That's a sad truth, but one I hope people understand and FEEL at the end of the film.

6. What type of reaction has your film received from viewers?

It gets a pretty mixed response with extremes on each end of the spectrum.  Most people love the cast, but a lot of people just can't handle the structure. Others, however, loved the film because of the structure and the way the story reveals information and builds.  I think at first people are a little lost, but if they stick with it, they get invested into each characters struggle by the end and really have an emotional reaction to the story.

7. What advice would you give to aspiring young filmmakers?

Be bold and daring.  Experiment.  No one is interested in what has already been done, they are most interested when you succeed in changing their minds about what can be done.  But find that through watching all other films— especially older films.

They have so many secret gems hidden in them you can steal from and reinvent, which so many people have forgotten.  And remember, making a film is like taking a vacation from life, and vacations should be fun so play.

8. Please tell us about the next film you plan to work on.

I just finished two more short films actually. One is called Twilight and is an experimental vignette piece.  It was a fantastic experience where I got to work with actors, non-actors, street poets, dancers, and lots of toys like cranes.  Then I did a short Dogma film with just a camera and two actors in my bedroom.  It is the story of a father/son relationship told through a video journal entry.  I'm really proud of it as it is one of the most emotionally effecting films I've made.  Now I think I'm going to try some reality/documentary stuff.  I've gotten to a point with fiction that I'm currently happy with and so its time to push my work in other areas. I've graduated and want to do some traveling, so I've got a few ideas about how to do that and create and hopefully get paid in the process. 

9. What are your thoughts in the film industry in NC?

It's actually a very happening scene.  There are so many kids from the NCSA film program doing things constantly.  The independent scene is thriving here. I think most of my friends here get more film work right now than kids at film school in NYU or USC or where ever else do.  I'd be nice to get even more going on, but there certainly is plenty of work to be found on sets out there, if you just look.