The actress spoke to Love London Love Culture’s Emma Clarendon about the 4th edition of Making Films taking place on Wednesday 11th July at the Candid Arts Trust.
Hi Kheira, what can you tell me about 4th Edition: Making Films JUNE challenge film screening? ‘Making Films’ challenges filmmakers on a bimonthly basis to create short films on a zero budget in only one month. As long as they reach the deadline, the group guarantees that the films will get screened at a London venue. The group, founded by Fumi Gomez and Juan Echenique, connects writers, directors, actors and all sorts of filmmakers together. most of the networking is done through the Facebook group, although there are events such as ConnecT that help filmmakers get together to build their teams for the challenge.This month the screenings will occur on the 11th July at 7pm at the Candid Arts Trust, 3-5 Torrens Street, EC1V 1NQ London, United Kingdom. Tickets are £5 on the door and all are welcome.
How did you get involved with the event? I had heard about the group from friends on Facebook and had a look at last month’s challenge but couldn’t see a role for me. However, this time around I had writers asking me to join their teams. So for the June challenge, I play Joanna in Juan Echenique’s ‘Father’ and Cassie in Aidan Sheridan’s ‘Dead Pet’.
What would you say the importance of 4th Edition: Making Films JUNE Challenge is? The group makes films with no budget at all. I think the importance of these ‘Making Films’ challenges is that they reduce the obstacles to allowing creatives to really do what they want. Money is always an obstacle, especially when a ‘low budget’ film could mean anything from £1000 to literally anything. Artists don’t have that kind of money and thus feel like they have to put off making their work a reality. It’s really sad because I think everyone has a story to tell and we should all be able to do that and share our gifts with the world. They should not feel like their film is lower in quality because it was shot on an iPhone, in their own house with some talented friends. The fact that all films have to be completed within one month is also important because it means ideas can hit the ground running very quickly, instead of sitting on the drawing board for another three months.
What sort of films can people expect to see if they come along? The fun of the challenge is that the film can be about absolutely anything. The films screened by Making Films cover all genres and ranges; from science fiction to kitchen sink drama, from comedy to thriller… each of the writers and directors in the group have their own point of view and style, and the screenings are incredibly exciting. My roles as Cassie and Joanna have given me the opportunity to definitely test out my range as an actor. As I have trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, I tend to see myself as a classically trained actor with an inkling towards more dramatic roles. Although in my personal life I do love cracking jokes, I don’t feel inclined towards comedic roles. So, for myself to be in Aidan Sheridan’s ‘Dead Pet’, I’ve gained experience in working with more humorous dramas, which can be equally fun. I also learnt more about kitchen sink drama when playing Joanna in Juan Echenique’s ‘Father’, which is a style of film I don’t watch too often.
Are you hoping to do more events like this in the future? Of course! I love how supportive this group is and I love how weird and wonderful the script ideas are. You really cannot predict such an eclectic mix! Plus going home for the night and realising that your team shot a WHOLE FILM in one day is very satisfying.