TWAIN: CANCELLED, 89min., USA
Directed by Jon Silver
An aspiring stand-up comic struggles with stage fright, a demeaning bartender job, and caring for her rebellious nephew; until she is mysteriously visited by a trouble-making Mark Twain.

https://kernelproductions.com/

Get to know the writer/producer Grant Troyer

1. What motivated you to make this film? The prospect of apparitional Mark Twain following me around and jabbing me with a walking cane until I did

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? Slightly loaded question -- I wrote the first draft over in either summer of 2020 or 2021 (time is meaningless at this point) and then sat on it until March of 2022 (I am just the writer and lowly EP). The real credit goes to our director and producer Jon and Jake who, at that time, helped me give Twain mouth to mouth (the script not the man). Production was completed in July, and post the following January. Very grateful for the efficient and talented team who knows eons more than I do

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? Staying out of the way of the people who know more about filmmaking than me (basically everyone)

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? Wow this festival has an amazingly astute and intelligent contingent of audience members

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films? Very beginning of Covid. I figured the four horsemen weren't far behind and I might as well document their arrival

7. What film have you seen the most in your life? Godfather, I don't care how cliche an answer it is

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career? Other festivals should emulate your audience feedback, or at least make it an optional add-on. Great hearing opinions of people who aren't constrained by having to sugarcoat to their friends because of "society"

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site? Ever positive. That site must have a server farm the size of Montana to sift through the 447,962 festivals out there

10. What is your favorite meal? My wife's pesto chicken / sweet potatoes. I have a few family members allergic to pine nuts so it's a great dish to keep them from coming over

11. What is next for you? A new film? Heck yeah, self flagellators don't stop flagellating once the wounds heal do they? We have a few in various stages of production (one in post, another shoots in August, and a couple we're getting off the ground). Good times ahead and we look forward to submitting more to your festival. Very grateful for what you do. Thanks!