VIRTUOSO played to rave reviews at the April 2021 Film Festival.
1. What motivated you to make this film?
There were two main reasons I made this short film. The first was that my first short film, done in August of 2019 was unfortunately derailed by a rare typhoon, leaving me unable to fully give it my all and gage if directing was for me. Thus I immediately started writing a few more, hoping for a good chance to actually direct a film. The second reason was, when I was writing new short films to make, I came across this script, which immediately spoke to me. As a writer I thought I’d have a hard time taking someone else’s work and making it my own, but when I read the original script for Virtuoso, I immediately started exploring the thousands of possibilities the script permitted. In the end, I think I made the right choice, as I feel I was truly able to make the script my own.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this short?
Considering the script was already written, and it only required a few rewrites to adapt the original comedic version to my darker, dramatic version, it took three whole months from first read to wrapping the shoot. Then, due to Covid19, the post production took a little under a year. In total from the moment I first laid eyes on the script to the finish product at the festival it took a little over one year.
3. How would you describe your short film in two words!?
I’ve seen the movie so many times, know every positive aspect and every negative one, making it very difficult for me to give an unbiased opinion. I can say that I hope others watching the picture use the words “engaging” and “thought-provoking.”
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Strangely enough, none. I have worked on many films in my life, in many different positions, and in many different countries, and there was always something. This shoot was genuinely ‘smooth.’ The team had an impossible synergy, the equipment (except one very expensive busted lightbulb) had no mishaps, and the whole shoot was always on schedule. I guess Covid19 slowed down the post-production.
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was thrilled. It seemed to me that the different aspects and themes I had drilled into the movie had all been noticed, the reviewers also spoke well about the technical aspects of the movie, and they all seemed to have enjoyed it. Can’t ask for more.
Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:
6. How did you come up with the idea for this short film?
As mentioned in the first question, the original idea is not my own. I will say that I changed many aspects of the film to suit my vision of the story, but the original Idea… Gotta ask Peter Walters that question.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
It seems like a cop-out, but I really can’t say. I know LoTR, Pacific Rim and The Big Lebowski are up there.
8. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are you feelings of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?
It’s a fantastic portal: easy to set up, easy to use. I’ll say the only difficulty with it is, when you have so many festivals to choose from, it’s hard to actually make a choice.
9. What is your favorite meal?
Weird question. Also a cop-out, but don’t know. Anyone who’s ever met me knows that the only thing I love more than family and films is food, so how could I narrow it down to one meal.
10. What is next for you? A new film?
Good question. I’m working on some features and series, you know the big fish projects, but I imagine the next thing I shoot will be another short film i recently finished writing.
Matthew Toffolo's Summary 