“A phone call can change your life forever.” That’s the tag line for “Calling Soon,” an iPhone feature in production from Spanish director Xavier Satorra. The finished thriller will involve the participation of mobile moviemakers from around the world.
“Calling Soon” was chosen as the Best Movie in the Super 9 Mobile Film Fest 2014. In the following interview, the filmmaker talks about his trailer, a work that showcases his big movie style and the project’s ambitious collaborative concept.
MMM: How did your project begin.
Satorra: The first idea was to film a “fake trailer” for a non-existing feature film. After the good response we had from friends and professional contacts, we thought about producing a web series and using the “Calling Soon” video as the pilot.
MMM: When you mention participation of moviemakers from around the world, are they actually contributing video to the movie?
Satorra: Sure, they are! During the “Calling Soon” production stage I started contacting friends across the world explaining my idea with this video. I asked them to contribute by filming with mobile devices people talking or listening with mobile phones. I asked them to film friends in order not to have rights problems. I also directed my associates to film the people (characters) in nervous and ambiguous moods.
MMM: Can you say a few words about what inspired the project?
Satorra: Since February 2011 I’ve been in Cancer medical treatment and, really, my life has changed totally. I can’t have regular work but with The Visual Suspects production group we keep doing personal projects.During the first months of 2014 I thought that probably I’d never be able to film a feature film due of my health condition, but why not create a film trailer of a non-existing movie! It’s shorter, easier and much cheaper!
MMM: And the idea for this film?
Satorra: The story just “appeared” on my mind. I always wanted to do something like a thriller, and thought that it would be perfect for a trailer. I also wanted to do something “global” so mobile devices (smartphones) and friends around the world fit with what I had in mind. Finally I included in the plot the game and unexpected situation atmosphere to make it more credible and also to catch audience attention, because anyone, anywhere, could live that weird and terrifying experience.
MMM: Was there anything unique about the production?
Satorra: I wanted and needed to film everything in just one day (5 hours). One location. Handheld mobile. Direct sound recording. Natural light conditions. Of course, before shooting I did a conscious pre-production including location photos, a storyboard, confirming production necessities on the set/location, assuring clearance rights for filming on a public place, etc.
MMM: What about the budget?
Satorra: Everyone involved in “Calling Soon” worked for free. They are all friends and friends of friends who collaborated voluntarily. A big and warm hug for every one of them!
MMM: Could you tell us briefly how you became a moviemaker?
Satorra: I have been passionate for films and cinema since I was young. The experience inside a movie theater was always magic, something bigger than life! The attraction that images can have is really powerful. I never studied filmmaking in a school; I’m more a self-taught person. I have a Bachelors degree in Communications Science (Barcelona, 2001) but I have been producing and filming some personal projects and also participating in other ones covering different roles (scriptwriter, producer, editor…) usually as a hobby, combining them with other works much more oriented to corporate communications businesses.
MMM: Could you tell us about some of your achievements?
Satorra: I was happy to win a National Young Artists Award for “¿Sería Buenos Aires” in 2006 (Spanish with English Subtitles: https://vimeo.com/9595179). This was a self-financed documentary that participated in International Film and Human Rights Festivals without commercial purposes. Last year we also won an Enderrock Award for the Best Music Video in Catalonia (Bicycles, 2014: https://vimeo.com/66016289) And fresh from the oven we just won the Audience Award for “Calling Soon” as Best Film of the Year 2014 at the Super 9 Mobile Film Festival! All the team are really happy with this achievement! (http://super9mobile.com) During 2015 it will also participate at the online International Movie Trailer Festival, the Mobil Film festival in San Diego, and the Original iPhone Film Festival of New York, among others.
MMM: Why did you decide to use the iPhone to shoot your movie?
Satorra: For the Calling Soon project I needed an easy, quick and discrete way to shoot not only for the main scene in the Barcelona seafront but also for the rest of worldwide collaborators. So the smartphones were the best resources we all had with us!
MMM: Do you have any particular advice for others who want to make mobile movies?
Satorra: “Calling Soon” has been my first experience with mobile devices. I think it proves that depending on the story you want to tell they can be really useful. It’s possible to handle diverse kind of projects and genres with mobile technologies such as smartphones, tablets, and more to come. Humans have always needed to hear stories. The ways we tell and listen to them are always evolving!
MMM: Anything else we should ask?
Satorra: I’m the founder and director of The Visual Suspects since 2003. It is an Award-Winning Creative Studio located in Barcelona with liked-minded collaborators spread across the world. Our works are at the crossroads of Digital Media, Technology, Storytelling and Sustainability. I’m always open to meet new and interesting people, feel free to contact me!
www.linkedin.com/in/xavisatorra
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