Interview with director Ferdinand Koerner (Star Wars “Revengant”)

Ferdinand Koerner’s short film played at the January 2017 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film Festival. It passed the ultimate test – the fanboys who love Star Wars.

 Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Ferdinand Koerner: The very intrinsic motivation were the Lucasfilm Star Wars Fan Film Awards 2016. For the first time you could participate in that festival directly from Germany!

MT: From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

FK: Well, I had this idea of a Kylo Ren film in my head for quite a long time – say around 6-7 months. But never got the last piece of motivation to realize that idea – as you often do with ideas.

So when I heard of that festival I only had 7 days to produce that movie cause of the deadline (noticed that Festival really late). Fortunatly I had the idea and my Full Body Kylo Ren Outfit – so I “only” needed the location, the actors and the props – piece of cake XD.

But Ferman actors are very into it if they could play a part in a genre film (what is very underrated here in Crime-Film-Ballerburg-Germany. So I posted the demand for talent on 3 Facebook-Actor-Groups an got 67 responses in 24 hours. What a luxury!

So I gathered my very awesome Filmcrew and we shot that at T-7 Days in a whole day and I spend the rest 6 Days in my office doing the postproduction. Movie was uploaded at 23.45pm on a 23.55pm Deadline.

JUST IN TIME.

MT: How would you describe your short film in two words!?

FK: Oh I LOVE 2 Words descriptions. For the Revengant I would go with…:

starwarsescapism-badassery.

Does that count as 2 Words? *grin*

MT: What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

FK: ONLY 6 Days of postproduction with a one man crew (ega. ME) to rely on.

MT: What were your initial reactions when watching the Toronto audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

FK: Due to the 7 days quick-deadline I am very well aware of the not so good things on the movie – for example the lack of a realistic McGuffin-Solution. But even realizing that in the audience speaks for a very cineastic-firm audience that really is loving it to watch those Fan Films. So – it hasnt been a full disassambly – so I am very pleased and surprised by the wonderfull charming audience! I LOVE YOU PEOPLE!

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video of the Short Film:

MT: How did you come up with the idea for this short film?

FK: Like I said – after watching Episode 7 I immediatly fell in love with the Kylo Ren Character. So dark, so gritty, so … rough and not even. So it was pretty clear to include that character in a Star Wars Fanfilm – if I would ever realize one.

That compared with my intension to realize that film in a OneShot-Planar-Sequence-Look (no visible cuts) gave me the needed technical challenge to start that film in the first place.

MT: What film have you seen the most in your life?

FK: On the top five there definitly is the Star Wars Sage (Episode 1 till Rogue One) – but I think the most seen film would be “The Dark Knight”. So much detail in that masterpiece. #NolanLove

MT: What is next for you? A new film?

FK: Yeah sure – there is always a new project, right?
So I am one of the few Fans out there who loves als the “Star…” Movies. So I will still participated in the 2017 Star Wars Fan Film Awards if I got another good idea for a worthy film. But till then you may get a glimpse on my Instagram-Account on what FanFilm ther is in preproduction-phase:

Thanks for the opportunity to showcase a “german produced genre film” in the HOLY COUNTRIES overseas. its an amazing honor the be mentioned by international film fans, Filmmakers or critics!

So THANKS AGAIN – you and your festival did a GREAT Job and a PERFECT plattform for every Fan of all those gigantic Franchises and Universes out there!

_____

Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.