PLEASE CLICK 2, 4min., USA
Directed by Allexxis Youngs
Two friends fight to keep their sanity after encountering a
mysterious video online, there is no escape but to become a part of the video.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Lol, this film was for a screenwriting class. We had to come up with 3 to 5 ideas. Me being a Reddit user and into the deep web stuff. I saw a story that made me think about human interactions with tech/media. And it just clicked, the response I got from my professor and classmates made me keep pushing to make this film. Everyone wanted answers and loved how universal it is through the audience and media format-wise.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

Around two years I think, I started writing in my junior year second semester but started filming the first part in my senior year first semester. The 2nd part was filmed in my second semester. But for the second part, the editing wasn't finished until a couple of months after I graduated.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Interactive and creepy.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

There were a lot of obstacles; time, money, equipment, etc. But I guess the biggest at least for me was time, that's why there are two parts. Originally I've written a script for a 30 - 50 min short film with more backstory and lore. But since I was shooting during school, I had to play around with it, gearing it more towards young adults. Making it into a TikTok horror short/backrooms video. If I had more time there'd be a lot more build-up and tension.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Happiness and excitement, I knew everyone would love the ending sequence because of how clever it was. I love that the audience was still able to feel the suspense and get some sort of creepy factor from it. I was scared that it wasn't going to be scary enough. But seeing that the audience was freaked out and even reacted to the jumpscare made me excited.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

To be honest, I don't know, ever since I was a little girl my nose has always been a book, I was a part of book clubs, I had three different library cards, and my favorite place has always been a bookstore. But as I got older my love for storytelling transitioned into media; TV, film, YouTube, etc. This continued until I started theatre in high school. So when it was time for me to choose a career path I knew it was going to be something in the storytelling medium. I chose films over books because when I was really little before I was adopted. My biological mom and I would watch scary movies together. Those were some of the happiest memories with her. So I guess to answer the question I knew since I was little that I would make my films.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

This is a hard question, I kind of have favorite films for different reasons. But I'd say any Adam Sandler movies, lol. I grew up on his movies, watching every single one, every week during family movie nights. I'll even watch them on my own, I don't know, it's a good time. Particularly 'Grown Ups'. It makes me nostalgic, and happy, but also ready for the future. You can never go wrong with one of his films.

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 guess the promo aspect, as a new and young filmmaker my name hasn't been pushed out yet. Pushing not just the film but the filmmaker helps a lot with getting the new filmmaker more connections, awareness, and more along the journey. It's hard navigating this industry, so giving a platform on not just my film but also myself will help build my following and bring more visibility to myself and not just the single film that has been accepted/won.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

It's easy and manageable, it's all on one page and accessible. I like it because all I have to do is upload my films and just submit them to as many festivals as I want. It'll keep track of everything so I never have to worry if I do something wrong. It also gives you info on the festival so the filmmaker knows if this is the right festival for their film. Very new/young filmmaker-friendly

10. What is your favorite meal?

Probably sushi, if I could afford it I'd eat it every day.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Yes, I'm working on making Please Click into a 30 - 50 short film this year. While also pushing for funding on one of my feature scripts, 'You're Invited'. Hoping to get it made in the next 3 years. With all of this, I'm still working on other sets. I've also been trying to get back into acting, hoping to land an indie feature role.