TEGG SANDWICH, 9min., Canada, Comedy
Directed by Tanin Risdon
A short comedy about an over-confident HR Rep who is tasked with putting an end to the largest problem in the office: A bizarre, outcast employee and their foul smelling lunches.

https://www.instagram.com/taninjr/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
My friend Ian Boyd wrote the script (as well as produced it) and a few people had told me he was looking for a director so I had him send me the script. After reading it I knew I had to be involved because I thought it was hilarious. I immediately had so many ideas to contribute to Ian's brilliant writing so I was just so happy he gave me the opportunity to direct it.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I'm not 100% sure how long Ian worked on the script for but as soon as I read it I'd say around 3 weeks of prep, only 1 crazy day of shooting and another 2 weeks for our editor Daniel Martinez Perez to cut it all together. Overall it wasn't very much time but we had an amazing team of people working around the clock to make sure we walked away with the best possible product.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Tough question. A lot come to mind, none of them pleasant haha. I'd say awkward and icky.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
I'd have to say the biggest challenge was having only the one day of production. Shooting a 6 page script in a day will always be difficult even though we were in one small kitchen for the entire shoot. Good news is we got everything we needed even with time to spare! I have to give that victory to our super hardworking crew, the 1st AD Max Humphreys and my amazing DOP Mariana Del Rio. Her and I spent hours going over shotlists and plans the week before enabling us to have one of the smoothest shoot days I've ever had.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It was so fantastic to see people responding positively towards our film! Since we were on quite a tight deadline, we never had time for any extensive test screenings so none of us really got to get feedback from viewers until now. I'm particularly happy to hear multiple times through the feedback video that the steaming sandwich close-ups were making people queasy. I know Michael Ian Murphy (Travis) will be happy to hear that too because he was the one who had to eat 5 of them so at least we know he didn't suffer for nothing.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I can't put an exact date on it, but I remember my obsession with movies starting around the same time my dad showed me Back to the Future for the first time. I had to have re-watched it at least 2 times a day for a week and after that I was on my dads home video camera filming anything and everything, making movies with my sister and friends any chance I got.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
As you could've guessed, it's Back to the Future. I watch it probably 3 times a year.

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'll be honest this being one of my first few festival experiences I wasn't really sure what to expect but I can't even say how appreciative I am for the time and effort everyone on your team puts into this. It really enables filmmakers to feel proud of their work and continue to strive for better and better every year. At least it sure did that for me!

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Easy as ever. Nothing much to it.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Chicken and waffles. No question in my mind it is chicken and waffles. The best combo of all time, I won't accept any arguments against it.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I have just recently graduated from film school so first thing to do is find a job. After that, all of my free time will go towards writing and developing future projects. I also have my thesis film from school that is just about to begin it's festival run so the team and I are pretty excited about that!