Japanese-based filmmaker Erez Sitzer calls “Make ’n It Up” a film poem.  The genre dates back to avant-garde films that appeared after World War II. But Sitzer, who is building a reputation for innovative moviemaking, breathes new life into the film poem form. While telling a story that is at turns emotionally dark and light, he plays with a variety of moviemaking techniques including fast motion, posterizing, superimposition, fadeouts, mirror shots. In the interview below, Sitzer shares his creative process.

Interview with Erez Sitzer

MMM: What inspired you to shoot “Make ’n It Up.”

Sitzer: I was watching a stranger apply makeup, and noticed how serious they were. And I wondered, why so serious? I then imagined that person making a mistake, and in my imagination they got truly upset. I found that funny. So I decided to “make up” a scenario where instead of staying upset they allowed for something funny to happen. And that’s how the idea for the film came into being.

MMM: How did you find your actor?

Sitzer: The girl is the daughter of a friend who I met through my brother. I was visiting Israel where my brother is an actor and at that time he had a gig at a Tel-Aviv theatre and was working with a well-known actress who agreed to help me “sneak in” to one of the theatre dressing rooms there. I needed a room with a mirror that had lights around it. During my shoot someone actually came in and asked by what authority I was there. I mumbled something implausible but by then we were nearly finished and before security showed up we were done.

MMM: Could you briefly talk about directing the actor?

Sitzer: It was really just simple guidance, talking her through the actions and emotions I wanted, letting her enter the mood of it. She was so enthusiastic about participating in the film, which made the filming really easy. I learned a big lesson that day about casting.  If someone’s not super excited about their role, they’re not right for a film.

MMM: Beyond her excitement for the project, what other quality did she bring?

Sitzer: She was super expressive. Her expressiveness came by way of being excessively talkative. In this film though there is no talking at all. She nevertheless let me channel her talkativeness into perfect silent expressions.

MMM: What equipment did you use?

Sitzer: Just an iPhone 6 and a tripod.

MMM: Did you encounter any difficulties during the production?

Sitzer: The only real challenge was color correction on final cut. It took a long time to infuse each  shot with pizazz.

MMM: How did  you develop the soundtrack?

Sitzer: Once I had my images in mind for the film, I edited the music together. After that I shot the film and applied the shots to the music.

MMM: Do you have any advice for filmmakers who might like to make a cutting-edge film?

Sitzer: Most of the magic happens outside your preparation and expectations. So stay open to being spontaneous.

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Other examples of Erez Sitzer’s work featured on our site are: “Mikyako,” “Dancing with Dragons,” and “I Love You Too.”

“Make ’n It Up” has been chosen as a Mobile Movie of the Week by the editors of MobileMovieMaking Magazine.