ANTIQUES, 13min., USA
Directed by Stephanie Paris
A jaded shop girl gets more than she bargains for when she discovers a vintage gold dress.
Get to know the filmmaker:
1. What motivated you to make this film?
I’m a longtime vintage enthusiast and wanted to see an antique store as the setting to a horror film. To my surprise, I couldn’t find any films set in one. I’m sure they exist but I haven’t found one yet. I like making films that I want to see. I also truly love vintage clothing and the dress in the film has had a really interesting history. It belonged to a stripper, the actress that played the stripper in the film “The Graduate”, Lainie Miller. She headlined Minskie’s in New York in the 1960s and wore the dress for a lot of performances. When she gave me the dress I knew it needed to have another adventure before being stuck in my closet for another 20 years.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Filming was one day in the antique store and one day for sfx. About 3 weeks for editing and a few weeks for music and post sound. All in 3 months. Because everyone involved did it for the love of the film and not for the money, naturally they had to take other work in between. That really slows the process down considerably. If we only focused on this film and didn’t take other work in between, it should’ve taken a month or less.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Sparkly Demons
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The monster was a little bit of a struggle. The animatronics didn’t work on the day and she was difficult to maneuver for the sfx artist who also was doing the production design. He had his work cut out for him. I had some difficulty making decisions in the edit room trying to make the monster scary. I thought she looked too campy at first but I embraced it and now people seem to like her. She’s a bit funny and scary. I thought she looked like a skeleton of Andy Warhol at the time.
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was so happy they liked it! And that they liked the pacing, didn’t think it was too slow. That’s difficult to achieve. I’m so happy they appreciated the themes and I’m surprised they thought it was tense and scary. That makes me really happy.
Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
Always. Before I can remember. My brother used to take me to films as a kid and sneak me into horror films I was too young to see. I loved it though and it clearly made an impression.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Ohhhhh. That’s a great question. There was a phase I went through where I had a few on repeat in my apt. Instead of listening to music I just lived my life with these on repeat. It’s a tie between “And God created Woman” by Roger Vadvim and “The Alley Cats” by Radley Metzger.
8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Seeing the film with an audience in a theater is always the best. But the feedback via video is pretty great. Nothing really beats sitting in the back of the theater and watching people watch your work. It can destroy your ego and also be amazing.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
It’s been good so far. They make it really easy to submit and submit a cover letter.
10. What is your favorite meal?
Ratatouille. It’s not just a great film.
11. What is next for you? A new film?
I’m working on a feminist western Horror film next. Be on the lookout!
Matthew Toffolo's Summary 