Shucks, 50min,. USA
Directed by Ty Brueilly
A slow burning and silent eerie tale about escaping followed by personal transformations, addiction, programed human nature and the primal urges of evolved creature comforts through a macabre metaphorical manufacturing process. Written, Directed and Scored by Ty Bru. Starring Austin Rich.

https://www.instagram.com/filmbybrueilly/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

This was essentially a product of a death in the family. A loose script and character idea I had been toying with for a few years, felt necessary to put into motion after this death. In other words, the film started as a coping mechanism to help my cousin during that grieving process, and in turn it ended up being therapeutic for all. The story or characters didn't necessarily have any connection with my aunt who died, but I knew that the main focus of why I shot the film would deal with struggles of addition, PTSD, depression and the overall complexity of human emotions.

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

The idea sprang up in some short stories and poetry I was writing in 2013 while I was an expatriate in Changshu, China, right outside of Shanghai. I didn't have the idea of turning into a film until mid-2016, and when we started the actual production of the film, we moved fast and efficient. We filmed everything within two weeks, the following two weeks I scored the film and edited it. It wasn't until 2017 that we had an official premiere and not until this year where it finally got it's Hollywood Premiere.

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

Rustract. Unsettling.

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

Getting past the general idea of acceptance. I knew what I had was unique and symbolic, but when you put out a debut film, you kind of want people to embrace it. However, after I held private screenings for the first few months, I was able to shake that and feel confident in my work and execution in it.

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

Understood, like these men and women took the time to open their minds and hearts to something they didn't have to understand but just to be submerged in something unique. I kind of wanted to answer some of their questions honestly, but sometimes the uncertainty of the film is one of it's strengths.

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

When I moved back home from China in 2015. It was always a playful idea or dream of mine but I never thought I could actually do it. I invested in camera for my photography career, but never really used it for filming until I met Odell Payne, who I hired to film one of my music videos, he lifted a tremendous burden on me when he said "you have all you need right here" and proceeded to teach me how to film and edit. Now, ten years later, I have been involved in the production of over 80 films of various genres and lengths and have established this 'Shucks cinematic world' which is now in it's eleventh title.

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

Dark Crystal, it's hold on me is eternal.

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

Film festivals specifically tailored to film makers have always been beneficial, add ons are a great way to do that, and I feel you are doing that well.
Also networking and helping match make with other filmmakers, as programmers of a festival, you see all the films and if you think some artists or directors would work well together, make that connection for them.

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

There are certainly more pros than cons.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Rainbow Trout!!!

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

I've just wrapped up my eleventh title in the 'Shucks cinematic world' which is called '7EVENTH 7IRKLE' and every time I release another film from that world, it brings attention to the original, which is a reason why we decided to have another mini-film festival run with that this year and why festivals like yours are getting it years later, to me that's always a good thing, to help reinvent and remind me of the road have taken so far.
I'm actually heading back to Hollywood September 5th for the world premiere of '7EVENTH 7IRKLE' which is a fraction of the runtime of 'Shucks' clocking in at 16 minutes. We will have our hometown premiere on December 11th at the historic Sunset Theatre in Asheboro, NC, closing out our 20 years of MTTS anniversary year, it's quite exciting and I am looking forward to submitting it with you.

Unlike 'Shucks' which was a silent by scored film, '7EVENTH 7IRKLE' has a beginning dialogue and ending dialogue, while the rest remains that same gritty, grimy vibe of music that I have been known to compose, audiences should prepare to be transported into the seventh circle of the inferno with a new interpretation on CANTO XIII with symbolic images that will engage your innermost imaginations while unlocking new fears that you will face and conquer on the way to enlightenment or confinement, you choose.