1) Can you talk briefly about your background, and how you first got interested in filmmaking?

There isn’t a particular moment that I can recall, but I’ve always loved to tell stories. Both my parents were artists, working their day jobs and honing in on their craft in their spare time. At a young age, I got to witness that intensity and obsession in everything they were involved in creatively. I always thought they were crazy, but I think crazy is essential as an artist. You have to hit the wall a few times till you break through on an idea, and the best ones may require a little more head-banging than you’d like. It’s quite tortuous really, but I can’t see myself doing anything else. I guess if I had to pick a singular moment in my life… It started with my grandfather, who put the first camcorder in my hand.

2) What was the initial idea for this project and how did it evolve from there?

I’ve always wanted to film something with the iPhone, but I wouldn't do it without intention. Covid-19 definitely helped bring this whole idea into fruition. The lockdown had me on my phone way more than I should have been and everyday was a blur. Lots of FaceTime calls  and my best friend, Dede (who plays Mike), and I had some great conversations during that time, with regards to this police brutality mess. We’ve experienced America differently, but there’s plenty that we relate to as black men. Though difficult to articulate, we knew it was necessary for us to at least try and express how we felt. It was about creating something that could act as a testament to the times we were in. Given that our phones have in many ways become our life source, especially now, it only made sense to tell a story like this through FaceTime. It also made sense that Dede and I would play the main characters, as the relationship would need to be palpable. So with that, I took out my computer and started writing. 

3) What was the biggest challenge in making this film? And the easiest part?

The editing gave me the toughest time. With two screens going on at once, it was uniquely challenging to figure out how to appropriately pace the scenes. Holding on the cut would make it feel like we were dragging on, while cutting too fast would feel like overkill. But, all in all, I think we found a good balance. Production is typically the most challenging for me, probably because there’s a million last-minute decisions that have to be made and there’s never enough time. However, this project was relatively smooth - especially considering that we didn’t have much equipment to lug around. We kept the set minimal and I pretty much recruited all my best friends to help. Having Tehillah De Castro DP this project was also a real privilege. She’s an unbelievable talent and a great person to collaborate with, especially on something as intimate as this was. Jade Spiers, the production designer, was equally amazing to work with. We actually set-dressed the interiors virtually. I was basically her unofficial art PA, running around LA to pick up props and placing things within the frame of our zoom call. It being such an unprecedented time, it was a dream to be able to create something with people who were just as passionate as I was about bringing this to the screen. 

4) What’s a film you’ve seen recently, new or old, that you really loved and why?

I saw Denis Villeneuve’s Incendies for the first time a few days ago and words can’t describe how much I love that film. It’s a masterpiece. Easily one of the rawest and most captivating movies I’ve seen this year.  The story, cinematography, music, and performances were out of this world. Lubna Azabal was brilliant and knocked it out of the park. Her journey is riddled with such tragedy and yet, the film still manages to leave behind a powerful and thought provoking message that sticks with you for a long time. I highly recommend it for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet. I know I’m going to need to re-watch this.  

5) What’s next for you?

Still figuring out that part. I have a couple projects I’m working on through next year, but I’m starting to put all my energy back into writing. I’ve got a folder on my computer full of first drafts of shorts and features that I’m excited to revisit. Everything is up in the air right now, but assuming we don’t have another lockdown in the coming months, I’ll be putting out some more content soon.

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