WHERE AM I – COLACOASTER played to rave reviews at the June 2018 Experimental & Music Festival in Toronto.
Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?
Mathias Fellner: First of all: the song itself means a lot to me as a single piece of music and also in combination with COLACOASTER as a longtime friend of mine.
Second: I got the opportunity to do something quiet new for me plus I
(together with Michael Dürr) was given totally free hand in story, style,
setting, …
Third: because of the adventure making a video without a production company,
beeing the first time in Sicily; not knowing if a man with a mask with a
strange behaviour is welcome there …
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this short?
Must have been around 5 months, but all in all there’ve been only about 5
pre-production meetings, some “homework” (storyboard, buying equipment,
checking flights and accomodation, drone operator, …), 3 days of filming,
3 sessions with the editor.
3. How would you describe your short film in two words!?
Beautifully strange
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The drone flight: too much wind and/or too many visitors at this landmark
where we haven’t been before could have destroyed our plans. But …
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about
your film in the feedback video?
It was the feedback I was hoping to get: telling half a story and creating
the second half in people’s mind. Many thanks to the audience following the
film with such interest!
Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:
6. How did you come up with the idea for this short film?
The music itself is kind of narrative, the perfect soundtrack. Listening to
the song and knowing Gregor (COLACOASTER) for many years the “story” quickly
appeared and got visually shaped by finding this location.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Maybe BETTY BLUE / Jean Jacques Beineix or THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX / Wes
Anderson together with my daughter …
8. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are you feelings of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?
I think it is a great platform to easily get in contacts with filmfestivals,
and we especially did this to get some feedback as we did get from your audience, which we really appreciate.
9. What song have you listened to the most times in your life?
I can only guess …
THE BOY WITH A THORN IN HIS SIDE / THE SMITHS
SUSPICIOUS MINDS / version of FINE YOUNG CANNIBALS
THIS IS LONDON / THE TIMES
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT / THE JAM
I BELIEVE IN YOU / TALK TALK (magic video as well!)
… for sure have been on hot rotation.
10. What is next for you? A new film? —
We have just finished COLACOASTER’s NOT MORE THAN YOU AND ME
And there are ideas for a video for another COLACOASTER song, too.
Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every single month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 3 times a month. Go to http://www.wildsoundfestival.com for more information and to submit your work to the festival.
