1. What motivated you to make this film?
The original idea for the film was born out of a conversation with an ex-girlfriend of mine. This conversation occurred after we broke up – and I was heartbroken at the moment.
I was motivated by the idea of writing a script that could help me confront my fears, my anxieties, and my obsessions with the past.
Through the process of making this film, I was able to experiment with my anthropological condition as an ephemeral being.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
The short film “Let’s Pretend I’m Talking About You” works as a PROOF OF CONCEPT for the unproduced feature-length screenplay with the same title.
First, I wrote the feature-length screenplay. Then, I re-wrote the first act of that feature-length screenplay and I created a short screenplay.
So, without counting the time it took me to write the feature-length screenplay, it took me ten months from the moment I came up with the idea for the short film/proof of concept to the moment we had the finished product.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
MOVING ON.
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The casting process was extremely challenging and arduous. I was extremely meticulous; especially since both characters are based on real people: The male character (Sebastián) is a fictionalized version of myself and the female character (Laura) is a fictionalized version of an ex-girlfriend of mine.
Fortunately, we found and selected two great artists to perform these roles: Vanessa and Sergi. They not only understood the essence of the story, but they also helped me raise the screenplay to a whole new and higher level.
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It was an overwhelming sensation of joy and gratitude! I have lost count of how many times I have watched this video. It has been a very emotional experience. I always get a unique feeling when I listen to someone, someone I have never met, talk about the way they feel emotionally connected to my story and my characters … it is just indescribable!
Watching the audience talk about our film has been, without a single doubt, one of the highlights of my career!
I feel extremely grateful to you guys, FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN – and to the audience members, FOR TAKING THE TIME TO WATCH THE FILM AND CONTRIBUTE WITH FEEDBACK!
Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
My story begins with the people who made it all happen: my parents. They have unconditionally supported me since the beginning.
I remember one specific date. It was a Friday in October of 1995. My parents and I had just entered an old movie theater. We were going to watch a film about the 1970 Apollo lunar mission: Apollo 13. About five minutes into the film, I said: “I want to be an astronaut myself.” My dad whispered: “Then you should pay attention to the film. You might learn something.” And that is exactly what I did. I have never paid so much attention to anything before in my life. Of course, there were certain aspects about the film itself and about filmmaking that I couldn’t comprehend at the time.
As soon as the film ended, my dad told me: “Ron Howard, the director of Apollo 13, played Richie Cunningham on Happy Days, a television program that I used to watch in the 70’s”. Then I turned to my dad and said: “I don’t want to be an astronaut anymore.” My mom intervened and asked: “Why not?”. I looked into her eyes and answered: “Because I am going to be a filmmaker. I want to do what Ron Howard does. I want to tell stories”. I didn’t even know what a film director was. And I’ll never forget what my parents said to me that day: “If you want to be a filmmaker, you’ll have our full support. But take this advice: you have to work as hard as you can to ensure that you become the best filmmaker you can be”. And that is exactly what I have done since then: I have been telling stories.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
There are so many films that I have watched countless times, and that have influenced my work — it would be unfair to name just one.
8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
I would first like to experience the four tiers for the screenings and promotion of our film at your festival — then I will be able to answer your question more effectively.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Excellent! Great experience so far!
10. What is your favorite meal?
Cheeseburgers.
11. What is next for you? A new film?
The short film “Let’s Pretend I’m Talking About You” also works as a PROOF OF CONCEPT for the unproduced feature-length screenplay with the same title: “Let’s Pretend I’m Talking About You”.
I am currently trying to raise the funding to produce the FEATURE-LENGTH VERSION of “Let’s Pretend I’m Talking About You”.
Matthew Toffolo's Summary 