A semi-surreal comedy short that (literally) lets you under the skin of a bodybuilder and his ambivalent self-image – exploring the fine line between self-loathing and self-loving. As part of the Midnight Shorts, we spoke with the team behind FLEX at SxSW Online.
Welcome to SxSW and congratulations! Is this your first SxSW experience?
Thank you! Yes, it is! Very exciting.
How did you first hear about SxSW and wishing to send FLEX into the festival?
Can’t remember when first hearing about SxSW, it’s just always been there, pushing things creatively. And always been something we ‘ve wanted to be a part of.
Tell me about the idea behind FLEX and getting it made!
We have come to realise that it’s tricky to talk about the making of a self-doubting, levitating, hollow tesla coil meets bodybuilder without coming across as completely mad. We like contrasts, and wanted to make something equally relatable and mental. The contrast between self-doubting VO and muscular powerhouse that is a bodybuilder. And the contrast between gritty 16mm cinematography and visual effects.
The script and the concept of the swift shift between self-loathing and self-loving is inspired by our own experiences as film makers and creatives. The creative process, for us at least but we think many would agree, is a constant rollercoaster of light hubris and complete self-loathing, more often the latter. And making this film was no exception: “this is great, this completely shit, well at least it’s original”.
Who are some of your creative inspirations? Any particular filmmaking talent or movie that inspired you?
We try to keep a clear mind and not look too much at others and what’s been done before. A question that we try to ask ourselves as often as possible when writing is “Have we seen this before?”. If the answer is yes it’s a no-go. But in general we’re not really inspired by other films (but we do watch loads) but random things like.. old Vine compilations or a stranger’s weird grocery shopping. People and the mundanities of life, but packaged very cinematically.
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?
Shot with an Arriflex 416 on two rolls of Kodak Vision3 500T, pushed one stop. Using a Canon 10-160mm T2.2 and Arri/Zeiss 6mm Ultra Prime S16 T1.3. Our only challenge was to shoot everything on two rolls because of our tiny budget!
Being all virtual this year, what do you hope to get out of the virtual SxSW experience? And where is your project going next?
Hopefully watch as many films as possible, listen to interesting insights and where possible meet like-minded folks. We’re not really great at the whole zoom thing, it’s so uncomfortable, but we’ll try to make the most out of it. Perhaps combine with some wine. Next it will be played at some other festivals but we’re not allowed to share that just yet!
What would you suggest to film festivals as a way to show more short films or make them more accessible to audiences across the country?
This question is above our paygrade! I think most festivals are doing a good job!
If you had one piece of advice to offer someone to get their start as a creator or filmmaker in the industry, what would you suggest?
Learn to enjoy canned food and put all your money into making films.
And finally, what is your favourite short film of all time?
Don’t know about “of all time” but… recently we really enjoyed THUNDER ROAD by Jim Cummings and IN THE AIR TONIGHT by Andrew Norman Wilson.
This film and many others like it will be showing at the virtual South By Southwest taking place March 16-20th. For more information and to register for the festival, point your browser to www.sxsw.com!