“Emelia and Jeff are an open minded couple in their late 40’s celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary by venturing into the virtual reality world of ‘Vert’ together. Vert presents them with a character that is their ‘ideal self’ and what is supposed to be re-awakening for them as a couple becomes the unearthing of Jeff’s secret.” Director Kate Cox on VERT which screens in the shorts section of SxSW 2020.
Editor’s Note: While SxSW was officially cancelled on March 6th, 2020, the below interview was one of many that already took place prior to the festival. To respect the creators, all already performed interviews are presented in their unedited entirety below. All of the below works WILL make their way out into the world in one way or another, and we will update this article with updated information when we have it. — JW
Tell me about the idea behind your project and getting it made!
I happened to meet Nick, one of my actors, later the story poured out of me onto the page. I sent it to him and he replied: ‘I’m in!”. I was absolutely over the moon! We had to move quickly for our casts availability and therefore we made it on a shoestring and in a one day shoot, everyone was in it for the love of the script which blew me away!
Who are some of your main creative inspirations?
Jane Campion, Jonathan Glazer, Carlos Reygadas, Lynne Ramsey, Bill Viola, Bjork.
How did you put this together from a technical viewpoint? What sort of cameras/lenses did you use and/or did you have any creative challenges in making it?
We shot on anamorphic as it suited the location and the VR scenes. I really enjoyed the process of sound design for the VR world, the delay and echo on the dialogue gives it a kind of disconnected feeling.
After SxSW, where is it going next? Anywhere you would love to show it?
We’d really love to have a cast and crew screening as everyone was so wonderful and worked so hard!
What would you suggest to theatres or even film festivals as a way to show more short films theatrically or make them more accessible to audiences across the country?
Show them instead of adverts before features.
If you know of anyone around you wanting to become a filmmaker/creator, what would you suggest to get their start?
Just start, write, pick up a camera or phone camera even, experiment and have faith in yourself.
And finally, what is your favourite short film of all time?
TWO CARS ONE NIGHT by Taika Waititi.
For more information on this film and to follow its progress into the festival world, point your browser to www.sxsw.com/film!