Steadi-Kid is a 1 minute mock-commercial that played at the best of 5 minutes of less film festival in August. It played to rave reviews. Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video here:
Watch the 1min. Film:
Interview with director Scott McDermott:
1. What motivated you to make this film?
I was carrying my son (Who plays “Little Johnny” in the film) in a baby Bjorn style chest carrier and noticed his head was bobbling back and forth as I walked. I wondered if that was annoying to him like a shaky camera pov would be. So I started thinking about a stabilized baby carrier much like a steady-cam but with the child where the camera would go, which would improve the ride for the little guy. Nothing like that exists on the market so I decided to shoot the commercial for it, if it did exist, in all it’s ridiculous glory.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
About 9 months. I had to wait for my son to get old enough to be able to sit in a baby bike seat but not too old or he would have been too heavy. He was about one when we shot it.
3. How would you describe your short film in two words!?
Good fun.
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Finding a Steady-Cam rig that I could adapt into a baby carrier. Most of the steady-cams available to rent are not rated for enough weight to hold a child and seat. So I approached quite a few stead-cam operators who have their own rigs to do it and they all said no, they didn’t want any kids dangling from their gear – understandably so. I eventually did find a glidecam for rental that was rated to 35lbs and we were off and running – or walking slowly.
5. How is the film scene in your city and country?
People dig it. It went pretty viral for a little bit racking up over 600K views online. The actress playing the mom has been recognized twice on the street because of it!
6. What were your initial reactions when watching the Toronto audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
People sure do take things seriously and over analyze.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Christmas vacation
8. What is next for you? A new film?
Probably more commercials. Some real and some fake.
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Deadline FEEDBACK Toronto Film Festival:
http://www.wildsound.ca/submityourfilm.html
– FULL FEEDBACK on your film from the audience. Garner an audience feedback video on your film.
Matthew Toffolo's Summary 