Interview with filmmaker Glenn Triggs

 Straight Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival  (2017)

What does your film express about today’s generation?

I wanted to mix 'Halloween' with 'The Breakfast Club' into a horror film. I was a very young filmmaker at the time of 'Cinemaphobia' so a lot of me at that age was put into the film. Lots of silly jokes and over the top death scenes. It was really the only film I could of made at that time. It's a real fun film that shows our generation in their element with movies and serial killers! 

What social circumstances lead you to make your new film?

I was working away at a call centre job which I hated and had the itch to make another feature film and I really wanted to tackle a horror film and quickly fell in love with the idea of a film set in a cinema. It had huge logistical challenges which I didn't really think

about before writing it. So the hard part was turning the script into the film without compromise which we managed to do! It was a two year project and I'm 

glad to say I did all the music myself which took more time that I'd like to admit! :) 

Whats next for you?

Since Cinemaphobia I have made 3 features film. '41', 'Apocalyptic' and most recently 'The Comet Kids' - which has been a 2.5 year project. It's my favourite film of the lot. Cinemaphobia was a huge learning curve about story, pacing and organization - it's the funniest film I've ever made and we're glad to be part of 'Straight Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival'. 

Interview with filmmaker Mathew Fisher

                Straight Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival  (2017)

What does your film express about today’s generation?

DJ Stan Da Man is an older character but I think he fits the free spirited kind of "fuck you' I'm gonna do what I want" attitude of today's generation. He is who he is and doesn't care who's watching and what there opinion is.  

What social circumstances lead you to make your new film?

Well... The film came about while I was working as a wedding DJ's assistant and the behind the scenes of the biggest days of people's lives are hectic, dramatic and pure comedy. Every character and situation stems from an actual person or event. One of the best compliments I've gotten from people who work in that field is how accurately the situations are directed, the film really is an inside look at the wedding business. Drunks, drug addicts, bridezilla's and colorful characters. 

What do you think about the PINK8 Manifesto & Punk Cinema?

I think the movement is the new independence, the underground. In a medium so run my money and PC values it's nice to have a group still making films for the love of it. Films they want to see and make... Instead of film schools that pump out cookie cutter film makers we have film makers that have trained themselves by trial and error and a love for cinema. Studying the films of the people who inspired them and telling their stories instead of what's "hot" at the current moment in time but once that moment is over so is the shelf life of most of those films. Good, long lasting films come from passion and creativity. The art form is like any other art form you do it because it's in you and you have to get it out not because it's a job ... I've hated every job I've ever had but I've loved every production I've ever worked on... So that probably sums it up best. 

Whats next for you? 

I'm premiering my latest short film INSOMNIAC on June 22nd starring Richard Chandler, Ray Boutin, Alexander Hauck and Sabrina Dennison from Alejandro Jodorowsky's Santa Sangre. I'm also prepping for my next feature a horror film called The Wicked Hollows.

Interview with filmmaker Joe Brown

What does your film express about today’s generation?

I believe that my film expresses that we're not exactly going downhill, but more in a circle. It just seems like we're trying, but not giving it our all, so we end up right back were we started so we need to do things over again. I really feel that we need to learn how to do things right the first time, and then we wont have to do things over and over again.

What social circumstances lead you to make your new film?

The social circumstances that lead me to make this film was that no matter what I did, I ended up right back where I started. I felt like life was a cycle, only this time the circle was bigger, so next time there were more obstacles.

What do you think about the PINK8 Manifesto & Punk Cinema?

I like the Pink8 Manifesto because of it's rawness. It gives the guy with no money a chance. I made "The Circle" with the money in my pocket, and if anyone messed up, the movie wouldn't have gotten made or at least there would have been one huge and obvious mistake. I love punk cinema. I am a punk cinema artist.

Whats next for you?

As for my next movie, I'd like to get a little bit more serious. I have a script in the making, and Im nearly finished. It will be more sci-fi where "The Circle" was more fantasy.

Interview with filmmaker Lorenzo Fassina

                       
 Straight Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival  (2017)

What does your film express about today’s generation?

I don't make movies about this or any generation: I think everyone has a mind of their own, I for instance find things interesting only if they involve satanism, blood and skateboarding. That's my way to express myself. Hopefully people who share my antagonism toward religion and social norms will enjoy my movies.

What social circumstances lead you to make your new film?

A couple of years ago I made a feature, Creepy Tales of Pizza and Gore, and asked Insanity Alert for their music. They agreed to let me use their songs and we got to know each other. The next step was me directing a music video for them. They are from Austria and I'm Italian, it was an awesome cultural exchange.

 

What do you think about the PINK8 Manifesto & Punk Cinema?

Having a Manifesto and strict rules of filmmaking helps focusing on the message you want to convey, I can't really relate to every single dogma (I'm all about preparation and scripts) but I fully support it and I think free online platforms are the perfect media for this kind of cinema!

 

Whats next for you?

I'm post producing a short titled "Presepe Vivente" ("the Living Nativity" in english). It's a Christmas movie that mocks religion and traditions and gives a new perspective to the good old possession storyline.

Interview with filmmakers Gordon Robertson & Anthony Reynolds

   Straight Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival (2017)

1. What does your film express about today's generation?

The desire for instant gratification, the need for more 'likes' on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, the constant fear of somehow being left behind unless you're in the lead, all of these things are convincing today's social media-led generation that 'life's too long', and that everything has to happen NOW. Our film highlights the inevitable result of such thinking, while cautioning that things can be different, if only we allow ourselves to believe it.

2. What social circumstances led you to make your new film?

This film was made out of a desire to create something very low-budget, almost as an antidote to the big-budget music videos that dominate the stagnant satellite music channels 24/7. Black and white was chosen, again, for the same reason. It's boldness reflects what we, the makers of the film, see as a challenge: to the prevailing commercial aesthetic, and to the idea that everything has to be beautiful and bright.

3. What do you think about the PINK8 Manifesto and Punk Cinema?

The PINK8 manifesto liberates the filmmaker in that it asks only what is necessary to him or herself, rather than asking what is necessary to make the film a commercial success. Not everything has to be monetised in order to be seen as valid.

4. What's next for you?

I've writtten a magical realist animation feature script called 'The Girl Who Grew Shorter In Summer' that I'm currently in the process of seeking animators for. I also have a First World War musical script called 'War Of Love' that I'm trying to attract interest in.

Interview with filmmaker Bob Bryan

Straight Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival  (2017)

What does your film express about today’s generation?

GV29 WOMEN THE POWER PARADIGM reflects the complex realities of todays' woman. Many contemporary women find that the paths to self-empowerment are lonely, confusing and difficult.

I wanted GV29 to represent women who have found a clarifying methodology to accomplishing their desired goals. In all cases, it is a heavy psychological lift, yet completely achievable if one is completely dedicated to change.

The challenge lies in acquiring a positive and powerful uplifting conscious belief system; implementing a personal development program (both physically and mentally) as well as courageously wrestling with, in some cases, subtle, yet personality defining programmed self-esteem issues.

Personal struggles with Fear, Pain, Power, Rage, lack of Self-Confidence, Negativity, Defense of the Ego, Passion, Self-Expression, Laziness, and lack of Discipline and Training etc. are important factors that must be confronted, understood, overcome and the results ultimately integrated into one’s toolbox concept of self, in order to be successful.

Consistent sacrifices, setting priorities, organizing long and short-term goals must be made in order to achieve this next level of self-actualization.

As the Director of GV29, my desire is that my audiences will identify with this new Paradigm and be inspired to action by these Powerful Kick-Ass Women.

What social circumstances lead you to make your new film?

My observation of some women who don't understand or appreciate certain competitive basic work-ethic values.

What do you think about the PINK8 Manifesto & Punk Cinema?

A Great affirmative -action Paradigm for people to be exposed to alternative ways of thinking differently and taking No Shit from Nobody!.

Whats next for you?

A new film about the reality of Parallel Universes

Interview with filmmaker Brian Mcguire

    Straight Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival (2017)

What does your film express about today’s generation?

Molly Green Giant is a music video / deleted scene from a film called Everything Will Happen Before You Die directed by Dan Finkel. What is says about today's generation is that people are hungry for spiritual excitement, knowledge, answers, connection. It's about the music of life and how bizarre the whole of it all is. 

What social circumstances lead you to make your new film?

We have been sitting on this footage since 2009. Rofrantic and The Flying Emitoe had recently come out of retirement in the techno music production scene and made the song MOLLY GREEN GIANT. Piso Records out of London picked the track up and we new we needed a great video that spoke to the people and Dan and I were sitting around and we came up with the idea  to pull out this footage which featured the amazing Scoot McNiary. I sat down for a week and went to work on the edit and wow! magic was born! Unfortunately the scene got cut from the film so we were real happy to bring it back to life!

What do you think about the PINK8 Manifesto & Punk Cinema?

I think and have been on a PINK8/PUNK Cinema kick for a long time. it basically started right after i had acted in a film i had made with friends called In Search Of A Midnight Kiss. we made that film for very little money. broke the rules, and just made the movie happen the way we wanted. the film ended up winning the John Cassavetes award at the International Spirit Awards. Cassavetes is the god father of punk rock film making and a hero of mine. after Midnight Kiss, I wrote Everything Will Happen Before You Die  with writer/director Dan Finkel and we made it! since then i have written and directed 7 feature films. all DIY fuck yeah making movies style! you can find them all at www.lefthousefilms.com and if you are looking for true DIY Punk rock film making, watch my film Window Licker. it will blow your mind!

Whats next for you? 

There is no next. There is only right now and at the moment, i got to stay focused. cause i am working on two films that will most certainly change the Cinema game once again.  That and a butt bucket load of new music is coming. and then I will probably do a lot of skateboarding as well.  Also you can watch the full feature for EVERYTHING WILL HAPPEN BEFORE YOU DIE for 1 dollar on our website, which i already mentioned but to be like an ass commercial here it is again www.lefthousefilms.com, thatWWW.LEFTHOUSEFILMS.COM

Oh yeah and if you like the song you can find it here: https://www.beatport.com/release/molly-green-giant-rp/2007004

its a good song to shower to in the mornings!

Interview with Filmmaker Andrew Savage

 Straight Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival  (2017)

What does your film The Second Coming express about today’s generation?

It addresses the subject of purpose and finding a direction in life, which I think are things people today often struggle with. It also addresses how people can easily be misguided

What social circumstances lead you to make your new film?

It was made in reaction to everything being HD and 3D, it's so unnecessary and boring. Which is why I shot on VHS.

It was written in 2013 and was in part a kind of reaction to right wing ideologies that I have felt brewing for many years. I would say those parts of the film are possibly more relevant and poignant now. It is a ridiculous film, about a ridiculous man, with some ridiculous ideas.

What do you think about the PINK8 Manifesto & Punk Cinema?

There are a lot of things in the PINK8 Manifesto that make sense and which would apply to the films I have made. It could be very positive, allowing film makers to get things made, on their terms, in an interesting way.

Most of the godfathers of PINK8 have had an influence on me for sure.

I think it's important to get films made in any way possible. As many different voices, from as many different backgrounds as possible. There are no excuses now, just think of an idea, which requires little or no money and the resources you have. Then go make it.

Whats next for you?

Stuff

Microwave Cinema: Today's New Underground Film Movement

ANARCHY IN THE UK: THE NEW UNDERGROUND CINEMA (documentary)
This doc brings to light the infamous Misrule Cinema Movement (2010-2016) - an animalistic connection to surrealism, broken bones, Dismaland and punk DIY energy. A group of banned UK filmmakers inspired by the burgeoning underground music scene, occupy/tuition fee riots & the abolishing of the UK's Film Council take to the streets to shoot guerrilla-style movies on cheap cameras and iphones. In the process they foster an inspiring period in cinema history. A period of social decay gave birth to a new-wave of pent up creative energy, manic films and home made built street cinemas. The YouTube cinema generation had come of age. 

Interview with filmmaker Justice M

Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival (2017)

What does your film Dust & Fortunes express about today’s generation?

This film is about courage and daring to take the path less travelled. It's also a story of hope and a voice to those in darkness.

What social circumstances lead you to make your new film?I was driven by the will to help change the perception the world look at certain situations and ailments.

What do you think about the PINK8 Manifesto & Punk Cinema?Not yet up to speed about it, will however look into it.

Whats next for you?

Noir classic feature films.​