Staff Pick Award at Palm Springs ShortFest 2022: "Meantime" by Michael T Workman |

I'm sick from the waiting.

Aren't you,

 to help people around the world to become better

Also gorgeous and beautiful?

Let's grab an axe

HTML0The world is cut in two parts.

Check out the worms that consume

At the edge.

"Langston Hughes "Good Morning, Revolution Uncollected social Protest Writings

This year's winner for the Staff Pick Award at Palm Springs Shortfest 2022 is "Meantime" by Michael T Workman. Michael planted a camera in his dad's home to make the film that is "deeply personal exploration of memories and guilt, as well as work as well as an urge to record the fleeting." This is the exact words that appear on the logline. The best part about this movie is the fact that it isn't focusing on these vague descriptions of human emotion. "Meantime" concentrates on what is at the heart of the issues that plague in the United States: capitalism, inhumane labor practices, inadequate support for those with mental illness , and the reality that the American slogan is "pull your self up with your bootstraps" is an physically impossible undertaking. The documentary outlines the ways that people use to explain why the United States fails to fully ensure the wellbeing of its people all the way from birth until the time of their death. The film outlines the ways in which Michael states in a poetic way during the Q&A "

   "It might not be obvious however, I believe that the primary focus of this documentary is on the inhumanity of capitalism. ...My father was born of a system that regards the individual as "human resources" which is a system which treats individuals as "human ressources" and stigmatizes them as human resources as they are unable to fit into a strict regime of labor and exploitation. "

The film's story is sad as the dark Montana winter its set within "Meantime" is a movie about souls that suffered from trauma, but grew into loving, caring individuals.

We were able to ask Michael some questions concerning how he came up with this distinctive portrait of the family and we were awed by his warm and thoughtful answers. Check out the following excerpts of our discussion with Michael.

Inspiring:

   "The inspiration for this film came to me as I was helping my father digitize his videos from home. As I watched them I was able to experience these profoundly emotional moments that occurred in the tiniest and seeming insignificant moments my father recorded. It wasn't holidays, birthday parties, or weddings which were most affecting. They were moments when my relatives were in the middle of the waiting area for something that was crucial to take place and having discussions, laughing, or even arguing. These were the times I was able to see people I knew in various stages of their lives. The knowledge I gained about their lives increased. I've never been one to like creating films for personal use, but looking back at the footage and returning to Montana was what made me want to create this documentary. . "

His tips on filming family:

   "Working with family members is difficult. Deciding when to put down the camera and just sit there was the biggest challenge. When we finished the time, my dad and me were done filming. It seems like I'm comfortable simply hiding behind my camera at present. My tip for filmmakers working within a household setting is to organize the time and the location that you intend to film and use that to establish a time limit. Don't film every minute of the day, and you shouldn't follow what's going on. Consider the things you'd like to capture and let the camera roll. After you've finished it's done. You'll have things to don't notice which is perfectly fine. It's essential to establish conditions where your photos have a greater chance to be compelling and deep. Shut off the camera and go back to the normal activities of your life . "

The reaction of his family to the film:

   "My family members have seen the movie. I handed it over to my mom after I was done that It was my most emotional experiences that I've had. Since this film is so personal I would go through times of feeling completely uninterested to it as well as moments of intense emotional turmoil. When I watched it with my mom, small aspects of the film brought me to tears without a break. It's a testament to that how the perspectives of the people who are watching the film will profoundly alter the way you experience this movie. This was a positive experience for both of us , and she learned more about the perspective of my father that she was unable to see at that time.

   I was most worried regarding showing the film to my father. We were planning to share the experience but the timing was not right, and he chose to view the film on his own. After he called me to let me know that he'd watched it and was devastated by the experience, I broke down in tears. I received a message from him that was the similar to "Mike I saw the film you made, and it's excellent and I'm not going back for it." The most significant source of his anxiety wasn't the vulnerability the film revealed, it was the fact that he watched himself at the camera, as well as listening to his own voice. It was the voice that made him feel uncomfortable (for me too ). "

On challenges faced:

   "The toughest part of making this film was the creation of a gap between myself and the movie. I think this is the biggest issue for personal projects, and the one that is hardest to get over. Personal films can be emotional for the filmmaker, however not for the viewers. I attempted to stay clear of this as much as possible as well as to attempt to distance myself from the film so that I could think of it as somebody who does not have a personal relationship with me. When I was editing, I constantly had to face this problem. This was overcome by having many trusted people close to me, who gave me constructive critique . "

What would he want us to consider taking into account when watching this film

   "It isn't always obvious however, I'm convinced that the theme of the film is the inhumanity of capitalism. This is, in the end, the reason for my father's difficulty in leading a fulfilling and comfortable lifestyle. While abuse could be the inciting incident of my father's struggles, his difficulty in overcoming the emotional trauma is an effect of society and not a personal failing. My dad's story is part of a society which regards people as "human resources" a system that dehumanizes those who are not able to be integrated into an undefined system of labor exploitation.

   Capitalism offers working-class individuals two options: work or work on the street. While this is never explicitly stated in the film, it is the basis for the underground world of the story. In the past, people like my dad's position had access to robust physical as well as mental health, housing and food, without the need to justify the human rights of those who work under a deplorable working environment, and living in an unhygienic living conditions, they'd be living happy and safe lives where they could focus on healing their injuries.

   One of the most significant facts about the titles of the film is that the stroke of my father was triggered due to panic attacks at work due to the fact that the company was trying to maximize profit by understaffing the facility in which he was employed. I realized that this was a frequent circumstance for him as I began making the documentary when I realized the stress of work as well as the anxiety of being pregnant was the reason for my father's mental health issues as a young kid.

   It is also my hope that this film inspires individuals to treasure the time that they spend with loved family members and to discuss the effects of difficulties and suffering in an empathetic and open-minded setting. In the end, the heart of the film is the role of a parent caregiver, understanding them as complex people and cherishing the precious time you have with your parents . "

Michael's tips for new filmmakers:

   "I constantly remind my students that they must fight with a hammer and a sledgehammer in order to retain their excitement for making movies. Every step, the industry will endeavor to drag you into the meat grinder of work to make you an instrument for someone else. They'll try to take all of the fun out of the process and create artificially high stakes to create an absurdly boring material. Anyone who has worked in a big advertising team is aware of this. I would advise you to work on something that inspires you, regardless of whether the wage you earn from your isn't. Continue to work on the films you make yourself or on creative activities that allow you to be an artist. If you're looking to participate in Sundance and have forgotten the pleasure of making films Then why are you doing this? ? "

What's next?

   "I'm making a feature documentary idea that's an observational, character-driven, woven-narrative feature film located in the mining town of Montana. This project is at the early stages of its production, therefore I'm unable offer much more than that at present.

   I'm working on an article about those who have jobs they are aware that are completely ineffective. If you're working in a situation like this, you should send me an email. The company is currently recruiting . "

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