THOMAS VERRETTE / filmmaker

I was asked by the Atlanta Film Festival to answer 10 Questions regarding I Am The Bluebird and myself as the director, and thought this is just random enough to put on my blog as well. So here it is! Enjoy!

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1. If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be?

Happiness, Sacrifice, Love

2. Where do you see your film in 5 years?

I hope that by then it has played well enough through festivals and on DVD that I will be making another film.

3. Have you ever been to Atlanta? If so what’s your favorite place to visit? If not, where would you like to visit?

I grew up outside of Atlanta and absolutely love the city, but I don’t have a favorite place. It really just depends on the event at the moment, which in this case is the Atlanta Film Festival, and more specifically Landmark #4 on Friday at 7:30! However, since I live in Los Angeles now, I am really looking forward to having a great ‘J. Christopher’s’ breakfast again.

4. What motivated you to make this film?

The first inspiration for this film came from an article I read on CNN about artificial evolution. I don’t want to say too much about it because I fear giving too much away, but I found it fascinating that the technology that I thought seemed so far away was in fact much closer than we thought. I decided to center those ideas around a broken family, in desperate need of mending that no technology could ever heal.

5. If you premiered your film somewhere else, what was the one part of the film you were most nervous about audiences to reacting to?

The Atlanta Premiere is in fact our World Premiere, so I am very excited, anxious, and ready for the Afterparty! Honestly, I am thrilled to be premiering the film in my home city, which also happens to be where we shot most of it.

6. What’s the one thing about your film you’re most proud of?

I am most proud of my cast and crew. I feel our film looks and feels much more expensive that it actually was, and everyone’s commitment to the film really allowed us to take chances and make the most out of every situation. We were constantly fighting an uphill battle, but no one gave up, and I believe this film, at least in its current form, could not have been done without them.

7. What do you want Atlanta audiences to takeaway from the film?

I set out to make an emotional journey, so I hope audiences are moved in the end. I hope that people find themselves questioning what they think the film means and wanting to discuss it amongst themselves after it is over.

8. Someone has to go to the bathroom during your film, and they have to miss part of your film. Do they miss the beginning, the middle or the end?

I’d prefer them not to miss any of it, but if I had to pick a part, it would be the beginning. That’s partially because I love the end, and of course the middle gets you there, so you need that too. On second thought, just stay for the whole thing!

9. Who are the directors, filmmakers or artists that most influenced you or your film?

I know this may be a bit cliché, but Stephen Speilberg was a huge influence on me when I was a kid, and specifically “Jurassic Park” because it was the first Making-Of special I ever saw. Since then, I started realizing there was a method to the madness, but it was that initial influence that got me to pickup a camcorder and start shooting. I could go on and name directors, but I find myself lately being more drawn to specific films rather than the filmmakers, though I always note who the filmmakers are, and to this day will watch anything by Terrence Malick or Ridley Scott. I love independent film, but I can’t deny my sweet spot for Hollywood either.

10. Who is the unsung hero of your film and why?

I feel like there are like there are many, but if I must pick one, it would be my sister, Tara Jean Verrette (who also plays Ally in the film). She has provided me with more support than anyone and has selflessly put this film in front of her from the beginning.

And I still made her audition!

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So there it is. I hope that gave you a bit of insight on my process. Now come check it out at the Atlanta Film Festival on Friday, April 17, at 7:30 at the Landmark Midtown Arts Cinema. Click Here for tickets!