BBFF2022 Meet the Filmmakers: Sean T Barnes, Ela Furdas and Clancy Walker
KITTEN
In an intensely collaborative and fluid fashion, Sean T Barnes, Ela Furdas and Clancy Walker wrote and produced the dramatic short film ‘Kitten’ (2021), which explores loneliness and the ways we realise what we are through others.
We had a chat to Sean T Barnes, Ela Furdas and Clancy Walker about the process of making 'Kitten' as their co-directorial debut, which brings the two together to direct fellow collaborator and performer Clancy Walker, who also serves as co-producer and co-writer alongside the pair.
The team have strong ties with the region, Clancy and Ela grew up in Byron Bay, finishing secondary school at Byron High. Sean’s long term partner grew up here. Ela returned permanently at the start of 2021, and all three of us have family living in the shire.
Screening at Byron Theatre
Saturday 29 October at 7:30pm
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What inspired the creation of this story in your film?
The film initially came about because the three of us just wanted to create a film together. When chatting about what this could be, we began to develop the story of Kitten Smith – an alter-ego Clancy had conceived of to stave off boredom when first moving to the city from rural Byron Bay. Together we spent many nights at the pub, looking to capture the comedy and pathos of this aspiring singing cowboy who is always performing, though no one is watching.
As filmmakers what is your favourite memory you had in the process of creating this film?
We were in hysterics the whole way through, though a highlight was probably the scene in the karaoke bar. We were dead tired but showed up with a guitar and a camera and squished with our crew into this tiny booth. The entire situation was ridiculous and incredibly playful.
Why do you think short films are an important medium to explore creativity through?
Short films are magic for their capacity to open whole worlds in a brief and direct measure of time. For this they are wonderful at both distilling character and expanding small moments. This process we’ve learnt about the importance of particular details to reveal distinct characters. It’s always the characters that carry a story.
Part of the filmmaking process is you will face challenges, how did you overcome these?
The night time scenes in the carpark were definitely the hardest. Being a lo fi film we were shooting using available light only, and every time we were blocked and ready to roll, street lights would mysteriously blow bulbs or switch off. We’d furiously adapt to a new location, and then the same thing would happen again - in the end we filmed across four separate locations. Clancy was flying to Mexico the next day so we didn’t have any buffer in our schedule. In the end we got through it by getting through it - we just kept going!
The pandemic delayed the completion of this film by well over a year. As filmmakers it made us appreciate anew how collaborative our work is.
This is your co-directional debut, what's next for you both?
We’d love to make another film together! Currently in development on multiple upcoming projects, including a short narrative set in coastal New South Wales, an experimental documentary focusing on form and aesthetics in shopping arcades, and a narrative feature film expanding the world and characters of our 2021 short film 'Kitten'. Our feature-in-development is a road trip movie meets docu-drama - taking the character of Kitten to a real-life Cowboy Poetry Festival.
What is your biggest creative influence on your filmmaking style?
Our biggest creative influences probably come from outside of the film world, in terms of both inspiration and the way that we work together.
Making Kitten was a democratic and responsive process, as per a collaborative process as we kept bouncing off one another to work out where it should go.
What is a piece of advice you can give to all aspiring filmmakers?
Follow stories you can feel with people that you trust. Find a way to make it happen. Remember that everything always takes longer than you think it will.
We love that BBFF is so proudly placed in the local area, yet its programming is so far reaching, with such a multitude of perspectives. It’s celebratory, expansive, and can redefine a sense of community.
Film festivals are such a vital force for facilitating connections - between filmmakers, audiences and new stories.
