MY METHOD, 15min., Germany
Directed by Kaze Uzumaki
A rising actor reaches stardom by taking method acting harmfully serious. Things escalade when he tries to teach others his way by forcing them to "be the role".

http://www.uzumaki-entertainment.com/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
I honestly just wanted showreel material, so I wrote a little short, pitched it to a producer I knew and we both send it out to a couple of people we know and everybody just fell in love with the idea. Of course people looked at me like I was crazy for coming up with something so twisted, but well, maybe my mind just goes to different places when I write.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I wrote it in a day. Send out the initial script. Did 1 rewrite on another day. The casting and gathering the crew bit took the longest, maybe 2-3 weeks. We shot it in 3 long days. I cut it in 3 days. Did a second cut after a week of not looking at it. Color graded it in 2 half days. And did a touch up on the grading after a week. Oh the music took about 2 months, because Philemon Montaser was super busy with other projects and could only really work on it once or twice a week, so every time I gave him feedback, I would need to wait another week for him to implement my ideas.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
It was my first time playing a major role and my first time directing. I think the hardest part was trying to balance both and to make sure I don’t neglect one or another. Also telling an actor like Gedeon Burkhard, who has so much experience and has starred in Tarantino movies, that I want another take, after he had already given me 3 good ones. But every take we did was necessary to get what we ended up with.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was overwhelmed by the fact that they had a complete understanding of my movie, because a lot of things are very subtle in the movie. That just means the world to me. Even with little things like the name “Ophelia”. The fact that a lot of them even mentioned how well I portrayed the role of Tetsuo, that just fills me with joy.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I’ve been a voice actor for 5 years now. I fell in love with acting when I did my first voice dubbing role. I did theatre to improve my acting. I went on set just for the experience, and I love everything about acting. It means the world to me. Nothing makes me more happy. Actually making films though, that’s a whole other ball game. This was my first time as a writer, producer, caster, director, editor and colorist. Everything I know is self taught and being praised for that is just unbelievable. So when did I realize I wanted to MAKE films, rather than just act in them… now… now that I know people appreciate my stories and what I actually created.

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

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 have no idea. I think just this style of receiving feedback helps so insanely much.

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

10. What is your favorite meal?
Oh, my Japanese side would love to just say ramen and sushi, but my black side can always kick in, and yeah, sometimes all I need is fried chicken or a burger, so I guess it completely depends on the day.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I would love to be able to make a series about losing my little brother. Jonny K. He was beaten to death in front of my eyes by 6 guys in Berlin at Alexanderplatz in 2012. It was pretty big in the news in Germany. And I feel like I owe it to him to tell his story. Now that I believe I can.