Chicken, the Lunchroom and Mr. Birke, 5min., USA
Directed by Birke Raymond Duncan
Chicken over-eats at school, and gets sick.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
My wife, Sara, gave me a funny script. It's part of a series of short movies we make about a talking rooster, who attends the first grade. His foster father is the patient Mr. Birke. You can find them on the Birke Duncan YouTube Channel.

2. From idea to finished product, how long did it take you to make this film?
I estimate that the process took 6 months from Sara's original idea to the completion of the film. Production itself took a couple of months.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
It's often hard to arrange schedules with voice actors, the director, and me. One must respect others' responsibilities.

5. What were your initial reactions to watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
Gratitude. It was nice of them to tell us how they felt about the little movie.

6. When did you realize you wanted to make films?
In 2011. My friend, Jason Harris and I adapted a couple of my short stories into a 20 minute film, "The Adventures of Monty Moudlyn." It played at a couple of festivals, in Enzian and Melbourne, Florida. I produced my own short film, "A Janitor's Territory" two years later.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
That's hard to say. My favorite film of all time is "Shane." Another one I have seen as often is the 1968 comedy masterpiece, "The Producers" starring Zero Mostel.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
You're already doing a good job.

9. How are your experiences with Film Freeway?
Film Freeway is the ideal submission method. It's easier to submit a film to a contest these days than to submit a book to a literary agent or publisher.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Cheese pizza.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
Director Kevin Veatch and I are making a couple of public service announcements starring Chicken and Mr. Birke. One is about the fun of children and parents attending plays. The second is about how children feel good about giving food and hygiene items to charity collection sites.