Spotlight Q&A with Filmmaker & 2012 VCF Winner Benjamin Wlodawer...

SPOTLIGHT Q&A with VCF 2012 Winner Benjamin Wlodawer:


VCF ~  Did you go to Film School & where?

Ben: Yes, Vancouver Film School.

VCF ~ What motivated you to write this script?

Ben:
This amazing script comes from my great friend and writer Mark Shea Price. I developed the idea after I was traveling in Poland, and I really saw examples of how man can eradicate each other in this beautiful world. We can see the same examples in Africa today, and no one does anything to help. The film industry helps us show the world a reality that everyone is hiding.

VCF ~ How did you choose your cast?

Ben:
We made auditions on four different days. Once Rowland, Max, and Niko came in, it only took me a second to know that I wanted to see these guys working together in callbacks. Rowland can change from an eccentric performance to a really kind and emotional one. Max is natural actor; he felt the script, and he just made something wonderful in the character with his eyes. Niko could portray a man in constant fear, while never losing hope.

VCF ~ How long did it take you to finish this film?

Ben:
1 month pre-production, 5 days shooting, and 1 month post-production.

VCF ~ Is this based on a true story?

Ben:
No

VCF ~ Do you have any advice for a New Filmmaker?

Ben:
As the film shows: Never lose hope, everything is possible, follow your dreams and transfer that to the screen.

VCF ~ Do you have any words of wisdom?

Ben:

You can only see others as clearly as you see yourself. Any relationship between actor and character has to be inspired by this, and that will help him understand the life he has to bring to the film.

VCF ~ What is your next project?

Ben:
Mark and I are working together on the script for Numbers the feature. We are bringing inspiration from the short and mixing it with a lot of different feelings and genres.

VCF ~ Do you consider this project one of your best work & why?


Ben:
It is my best, as it is the one we want to not just be a short. We have had the opportunity to show this to audiences in places like Vancouver, Las Vegas, New York, California, and Mexico.

VCF ~ What is your favorite Movie of all time & why?

Ben:

Hmm, how can I answer something so broad, so ambiguous? There are too many to choose from; every movie has marked something in the history and changed the way to make and see the film industry. I am sorry but I can't answer that question. I can only tell you some movies that I love, like Citizen Kane, Inglourious Basterds, Pan's Labyrinth, The Shawshank Redemption, Schindler’s List, etc.