Interview with Filmmaker Stuart Birchall (TRISKELION)

TRISKELION was the winner of BEST SOUND & MUSIC at the May 2020 Experimental, Dance, Music Festival.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Stuart Birchall: I was initially planning to make a shorter more conceptual piece, a music based film that was more about themes rather than a more structured narrative. As I began developing the project I saw that I had an opportunity to explore the structuring of the three elements into a more confident idea with what I hope is a more interesting structure, maintaining the experimental spirit but sprinkling enough tropes and references in the design to keep an audience interested and on semi-familiar ground.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this short?

We shot the first sequences in 2016! But due to some delays and overlapping projects It wasn’t until 2019 that I had the full film in the can. The post process was roughly 3 months.

3. How would you describe your short film in two words!?

Subjective Realism

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Because we shot most of the film in Thailand, the crew didn’t speak much English and I knew just a few words in Thai, this was a hurdle but by no means to the detriment of the film. The crew were exemplory.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

It is such a gift to get a response from people who are passionate about film, indie film especially. Feedback is often daunting but really gives a boost to your confidence as the main function of the film for me is to engage and captivate. Personally I love to hear the various interpretations of the work, as I firmly believe we all take a unique and valid experience from all forms of art.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

6. How did you come up with the idea for this short film?

Its hard to be specific, I have a few practices that spark ideas, meditation and walking play a huge part, I tend to absorb books and films as I am planning and I have note pad filled with ideas and sketches so when an opportunity comes along to develop a project I often dive into that first and get the creative gears turning.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

This film/s I have watched the most times in my life are probably: Apocalypse Now, 2001:Space Odyssey, The Assassination Of Jesse James, The Thin Red Line, There Will be Blood, Interstellar….

8. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are you feelings of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?

I have nothing but good things to say about Filmfreeway, much like other similar platforms It certainly helps indie filmmakers by saving a lot of valuable time on lengthy administration and chasing festival contacts.

9. What song have you listened to the most times in your life?

Pink Floyd, Shine on You Crazy Diamond (Pt1-5)

10. What is next for you? A new film?

I am currently developing two projects, both experimental genre hybrids in Horror and Sci-fi.