ONE IN THE CHAMBER was the winner of BEST ACTION FILM at the April 2022 ACTION/ADVENTURE Film Festival.
Project Links
1. What motivated you to make this film?
There are many, but I will name a few. One of the biggest motivations was to help the team of new stunt performers get over the mental obstacles we face in stunts. It was also to promote everyone’s talent that they contributed to the film, eg. The DOP is a young new, very talented DOP that I had to help promote his career. The violinist was a very gifted artist, and for stunts in the movie as well as our Sound designer. I had to use him in the score. It allowed the team to pull off action they would possibly never due in their careers as stunt people and experience a set environment. To share a team feeling and hustle to get it done cause at times our stunts guys/girls where our crew.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
From beginning to the end it took approx 5 months. The project was in the hands of a few different people like vFX, Sound Designer, Credits and me the Director/Editor
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Well Done and great achievement in this first epilog of 4
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The seasons were changing from hot summer to freezing winter, having to do some pick-up days and not having all our original performers for those days. However probably the biggest obstacle was the very limited budget we had.
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I love listening to everyone’s experience of our film. I’m incredibly grateful to hear the viewers’ excitement from watching our movie. It makes you feel like you are heading in the right direction with your idea.
Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhrLwvjLoGA
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
Once I had the idea for the short film at the beginning of the year, the team brainstormed locations, did a tech scout, rehearsed ideas at the club and the site, etc., and we made it happen.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Oh wow, this is tuff—Clint Eastwood Spaghetti Westerns and old-school Kungfu movies.
8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Definitely connecting with upcoming directors, DOPs etc with producers helping the next step in their careers. Or Producers to help with helping to develop their ideas into feature, web series, etc.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Nothing but incredible. It’s so user friendly.
10. What is your favorite meal?
Steak Medium Rare
11. What is next for you? A new film?
We are in development to do three other short stories introducing four other characters intro to the larger story.
Matthew Toffolo's Summary 