APPLES, ORANGES, LEMONS & LIMES, 45min,. USA, Relationship
Directed by Pat Mitchell
A timid young man chronically suffers from social anxiety. At a party, an unlikely encounter inspires a night of drinking, joy and romance.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15035104/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I remember thinking about two people walking down a street drunk and wanted to put a hypothetical story behind it.

We also tend to have a stigma against young adults drinking. I think lots of movies portray younger generation drinkers as irresponsible and reckless. I thought it would be nice to show it as a celebration once again and put some delight into that rather than the darker takes on the topic. I was a young drinker and didn't have much recklessness going around. I wanted to bring those feelings I had on screen.

I also like psychological thrillers and the state of mind characters play. I thought of a character with social anxiety. I have it and many people in the world. its a very relatable subject. I managed to write a straightforward story around that. I made things more complicated before but I didn't want to lose the crowd with my own ambitions in this film. I kept it very light but thoughtful.

It didn't become a romance film until I challenged myself to write one. I usually write about a past love, a lost love or tortured love. It was my first time writing about the beginning of a relationship. I loved it more than I thought I would. I am so glad for the amazing response. I was afraid if i wasn't a zany young adult mania-filled party film people may be thrown off.

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

I wrote this film in maybe a month or two. I had done some camera tests and things months before we started filming. After being confident in that, I moved into production.
We filmed the movie on weekends. It was 5 production days of five hours or less. I probably spent a total of one extra day filming inserts or shots with no actors needed. It was just me and a camera at that point. Editing took possibly 5 months. He wrapped production on July 2nd.

My scorist Andrew Scott Foust started scoring some segments on a mobile set up he had at the time. He was actually on vacation. He was coming off another project and I felt sort of awful but I really trust his input more than anyone. I egged him on as much as I could. We are very creative forces, when he hears a calling for it he answers. I laugh to think he was possibly sneaking off of family time to make revisions. There was plenty of time, no rush at all. It would pain me to even think of another scorist. I was still making edits as he was scoring the film. I am really grateful he was on board just as everyone on the project. There was a huge dedication behind making the film. I enjoyed it all so much. The film is entirely a great memory as I watch everything back. It's the bar now.

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

Selfless Love

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

It must have been the hours of the production days. It was from 11pm to 3am every production day. I know it took a toll on the crew, actors and I for sure. I remember telling myself by the end of it all, it has to be 4000% worth it when they see the film. It motivated me to work harder and take more risk pushing elements in the post-production.

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

Eureka. I was a moment of being unsure if people would accept a film that starts with a drinking party and ends on a honest and more cerebral note. I could have been more happier with the turn out. It actually inspired me to write more without worrying about losing traditions of how certain topics are presented in films. I love writing an ulterior point of view all the time.

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

I was always a creative person. I love meeting, listening, working with and writing artistically. Filmmaking is one of those trades where you can get pretty much involved with everything in life. I remember thinking about moving pictures on a tv screen and being fascinated by these alternate realities we create for ourselves. Yodi, a fictional character, is very much alive with full mannerisms, speech patterns, a history, a future, look, size. The idea of creating bold stories to escape from our story for a moment. It heals the most broken of people in some cases. I can leave a beautiful impact this way in people's lives..

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

There are so many. I can honestly say Forrest Gump is way up on that list. 💯

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 love what you guys do. The chance to listen to the viewers thoughts immediately after. Hearing and seeing them recite moments of a film is the best. I recieved beautiful comments on our film. I was touched.

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

I had an awesome time. No complaints here, just compliments.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Steak Au Poivre with traditional Yorkshire pudding and a zesty raspberry vinaigrette at the moment. It changes very quickly though. .

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

I was invited by a producer to help rewrite and direct a film I'm not sure I can disclose. But I am looking for investors for a feature I wrote entirely. It's a psychological thriller called Lake O. It is also a romance film.