FILM
A mild-mannered dentist and his pregnant fiancée kidnap his estranged father in a last-ditch attempt to bond with him. A dark comedy with a supernatural spin.
Hey Timi, thanks for talking to TNC, how is everything going?
Great, thanks for reaching out. It’s been a challenging couple of months but everything is good.
I’m very grateful.
Are there any nerves ahead of the screening?
No nerves, but there is excitement.
What does it mean to be screening Donkeytooth at Raindance 2018?
Again, at the risk of sounding repetitive, I’m really excited. This would be the first screening for me at a festival of any sort, so I’m anticipating it.
Tell me a little bit about Donkeytooth, how did the film come about?
I like to think of Donkeytooth as a short supernatural dramedy, which draws inspiration from a wide range of tv shows and films. The project really is the brainchild of producer, Tam Paul-Worika and Screenwriter Aron Tennant. After meeting with Tam in London earlier in the year, we discussed our love for all things film, television, and culture. Then eventually we got to the script and it all really took off from there.
What was it about Aron Tennant's screenplay that interested you as a filmmaker?
The relationship between the characters. I thought, even for a 4-5 page script, this aspect was highlighted. The genre also interested me.
What was the most challenging part of making this film?
Having to manage our time properly on set and making sure we got all what we needed during principal photography was a challenge for me but also really fun. I think the pressure and challenges of production is something I can see myself getting used to.
Have you always had a passion for filmmaking?
I’ve always had a passion for visual storytelling as far as I can remember, but the passion for filmmaking and the science of motion pictures started when I was in secondary school. After watching Christopher Nolan’s ’The Prestige’ many times, I went from being a casual filmgoer to becoming a very curious student of the craft.
"...cherish those you work and collaborate with..."
How much has your style and the approach to your filmmaking changed since your debut?
This is only my second short film, so I’m still genuinely figuring out my style. One thing I think I’ll bring with me to the filmmaking process is my experience as an observational/street photographer.
How would you describe Donkeytooth in three words?
Dark, funny, enjoyable.
Do you have any advice or tips for any fellow filmmaker?
Ah, that’s a tough one as I still see myself as a young student of the craft. I supposed the advice I’d give a fellow filmmaker as well as myself would be to like your work, learn from the challenges, cherish those you work and collaborate with, and finally tell the truth, no matter the story you tell.
And finally, what do you hope people will take away from this film?
To have an enjoyable time.