HOMEPLANET, 26min., USA
Directed by Andrew Pritzker
Barefoot on a country highway, a Disoriented Man is picked up by Two Local Cops who suspect he may be a space alien.

http://qikfingerfilms.com/
https://www.instagram.com/qikfingerfilmsllc/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I had a funny idea kicking around in my head about two cops picking
up guy on a country road because they thought he was a space
alien. But when I fleshed out the story I decided it wasn’t really
about the cops but the guy they arrested. So the questioned
remained, “Who is he and what is he doing there?” When the script
refocused it turned from comedy to a character drama. Once I found
the emotional thread, I wanted to shoot the film.

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

It took about 9 months for 12 drafts of the script, research and
storyboard. We shot 4 long days and nights of production. Post took
longer than expected but we had to get it right. Editing, FX, scoring,
and sound design took about another 7 months.

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

Golden-age Sci-fi.

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

We had a few. With Covid becoming less of a factor, more films went
into production the same time we did. Everybody wanted to shoot
before winter. It was hard to find a good sound mixer. Everyone was
booked. The same went for a steady cam op…booked. We lucked out
renting a Ronin from our drone pilot who was also a really good
sound mixer. So the hybrid position of sound mixer/drone pilot was
born.

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

I was really happy by the response. The reviewers spoke positively
about the film and connected to it emotionally. We loved their
reactions. They had a personal experience with the film and that’s
terrific.

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

My grandfather always had a movie camera in his hands. It was a
strange little box and you could tell he loved it. When I inherited his
camera, projector, and home movies, I shot a few small projects with
stop motion animation and then edited the film stock. I began to get
feel for the craft. I had watched a lot of classic Hollywood films from
30s and 40s movies. I loved the hard film noir lighting. The more I
watched the more I understood the artistry put into filmmaking. At
age 14, I had an epiphany when I began to look for subtext in films,
the unspoken film within a film. That was it.

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

That’s a good question. Numerically, I’d have to say, It’s a Wonderful
Life. A Frank Capra gem. Politically and culturally savvy, funny
heartbreaking, mystical, and character driven by a reluctant hero,
the casting, cinematography, and editing all come together. It’s rises
above Christmas genre. It’s a stand alone classic.

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

PR is a big contribution as well as informative seminars and speakers
but the audience is king. A live screening in a theater is electrifying
and raw. There’s nothing more honest and immediate than an
audience reaction.

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

There used to be two major submission platforms but now there’s
just one. FilmFreeway is a great operation. They care about what
they do.

10. What is your favorite meal?

A Philly Cheesesteak made in Philly.

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

I have a few projects on my slate. I’m the writer/producer on an
existential comedy called PERK we hope to shoot this spring. I’m also
putting together an anthology feature centered around HomePlanet.