The above trailer is from a short titled “I Live in the Woods” by Max Winston. I caught up with Max a few days ago about this kinetic, macabre short and his experiences with the film from production through its current run in festivals.
Max, tell us a bit about how the idea for “I Live in the Woods” came about.
I made a four page comic first, then I made this film from that.
They are very similar in most ways, the rhyming dialogue is pretty much taken directly from the comic, while the visuals are inherently different. I made up the rhyme one day while going on a brisk walk, spouting randomness which sometimes evolves into ideas. I was thinking a lot about Gods, being outside, and the thought of who's in charge around that time.
Walk us through the process in getting “I Live in the Woods” made.
I found out that the Princess Grace Foundation was offering a film production grant to last year students at colleges. The deadline was in a few days... I had already made the comic, and figured it would make an exciting film, so I got a bunch of stuff together and submitted the idea. Luckily it worked, and I got the grant. Then it was about 8 - 9 months of constant work while also trying to finish my last year at school...
So the work really evolved from the comic. Do you have any big stop motion influences? Or, illustration I guess given the film’s genesis.
Some big influences for me are Terry Gilliam, Henry Selick, and Mike Jittlov aka The Wizard of Speed and Time. Also Sam Raimi... Drag me to Hell only re-enforced that feeling!
You’ve been touring around the festival circuit now for a few months and the film is doing really well, with an honorable mention at Sundance this year and big awards at Sydney Underground and Toronto After Dark fests. What’s your strategy for festival submission? I ask because we’ve seen a huge influx of films from animation grads going directly online and blowing past the festival circuit. Was there a distribution strategy at work?
I had no idea about anything related to submitting films to festivals when I started with "I Live in the Woods". I just looked up festivals or heard from word of mouth about them, then just sent my film in. Especially if they were free, then I would absolutely send it. I was pickier with the ones I had to pay a fee for. I asked people about them to get opinions and such to see if it was worth it.
Unfortunately I have no strategy, ha. If anyone has one I would love to know.... one piece of advice, get a publicist if you can afford it! I've been doing all that stuff myself for a year now and damn it's a lot of work! The only reason I have yet to put my film on the internet is because I don't want the audience to suffer the internet's quality... I just put too much detail into this film. But one day I'm sure I'll give in.
You’ve posted a variety of work using different types of animation on your website hunteachother.com. Is stop motion your preference?
I've drawn my whole life, and that was the first kind of animation I started out with. But I also love building physical objects and such with my hands, so after trying stop motion I realized how satisfying it was. You can design everything, build it, photograph it, AND make it move. It's very inspiring.
Tell us a little bit about your experience making toys.
Growing up I used to take toys apart and put motors in them to make parts move and stuff. It's not as glamorous as it sounds; they looked like plastic glued up zombies or something after I was done with them. But I've learned a lot since then. I've made a couple sculptures of my own that have motor functions and such. It's definitely something I'd like to explore more, after I explore everything else...
Exploring a bit on your site it looks like you’ve taken part in a few different contests and web programs like Gorillaz Search of a Star and Frederator’s ongoing animation series. Between these contest pieces, the work you’ve posted online and your success on the festival circuit which outlet do you feel has led to the most exposure for your work?
Festivals have definitely been the most exposure. Because from festivals comes internet articles, blog reviews, magazine or newspaper snippets, and more. Also, festivals are where managers and agents have been exposed to the film and have contacted me. The internet is great for exposure but if someone isn't interested in the first 2 seconds of your film, they'll probably close the browser or fast forward. You can't do that at festivals! They are forced to watch it! Which is kinda fun. I definitely recommend that everyone send their films to festivals, even if they think it sucks. Let the festival people decide if it sucks or not. Then make another movie either way.
What’s next? Any new projects on the horizon?
I hope so! I'm trying to develop some stop motion cartoon show ideas now while writing scripts for features I hope to get made. If nothing big comes next I'll just make another short film and have a lot of fun doing it. Even if it means selling my soul to rock n' roll.
Thanks Max. We’ll keep folks posted as “I live in the Woods” continues its journey. You can check out a groovy time lapse video behind the scenes below!
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