DREAM SEQUENCE, 4min., USA
Directed by Glen Obear
Dream Sequence is a music video for the band De Stijl (Ehmed Nauman and René Bedolla) from Chicago, USA. An inventor creates an anti-gravity machine that feeds on his dreams. People and objects become weightless in different locations throughout Chicago.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

The band De Stijl (Ehmed Nauman and Rene Bedolla) approached me with an opportunity to make a music video for their upcoming single "Dream Sequence." As soon as I heard the amazing track, I was 100% on board! De Stijl is based in Chicago, and the song made me feel like I was drifting, weightless without a care in the world. For the video, I wanted to highlight everyday people doing everyday things around Chicago, suddenly at the whims of a mad scientist who's dreams feed an antigravity machine.

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

100 hours

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

Dream Sequence!

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

Drawing, painting, and cutting so many paper backdrops, people, and props. Almost every part of the film was hand-drawn and cut out, and it is always tricky trying to imagine how a scene is going to play out before you begin animating. Equally tricky was trying to be efficient shooting the various scenes. The animations are all done on glass panes and shot using stop motion. Shooting stop motion is almost like playing music - each time you do it, it is like performing a live puppet show, and if you tried making the same film twice, it would never be exactly the same. So there was a lot of pressure to get everything right in one shoot in order to have consistency between scenes.

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

It was such an honor to hear the feedback and hear what others took away from the work!

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

I have been interested in making films since childhood, but I started animating two years ago. At the beginning of this journey I actually hoped to find an animator or filmmaker who would be interested in adding visuals to my music. Starting out, my wife and I worked together on projects for several months and I learned how to animate using stop motion. She would paint characters and backgrounds, and I would animate them and add soundtracks. Fast forward to today, and I never would have guessed that I'd be making films for other people's music! Collaboration is at the heart of everything, so whether I'm making music or making films, the process of sharing ideas and creating something with other amazing individuals is one of the most rewarding things I've experienced in life!

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

I have two kids, so, Moana. But I've only seen it about 150 times.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other
festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking
career?

Help connect us with other film-makers! The most rewarding part of what I do is meeting new people and collaborating. Shared ideas can have so much power!

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

Great! Easy and convenient.

10. What is your favorite meal?

CHICAGO HOT DOGS

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

I am close to completing another music video for one of my upcoming single releases (artist "Kubiena Tin" on streaming platforms), and I just started two more music videos for Wisconsin-based bands. I'm also working on a short animation with my friend Angel Aguilera (@rawdad_music on IG) and I'm releasing a Kubiena Tin album this fall featuring album art by the amazing Frances Harangozo (@francesss.rowan on IG). So, quite a few things in the works.