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

I am so tired of the waiting.

Aren't you,

For the world to advance

Beautiful and lovely?

Let's grab this knife

and cut the globe in two

See what worms 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" written by Michael T Workman. Michael set up a camera in the house of his dad Tim to conduct an "deeply personal examination of memories and guilt, as well as the desire to preserve memories that are fleeting." This is, at the very least, the description of the logline. The thing that is beautiful about this documentary is the fact it's not actually about those vague descriptions of human emotions. "Meantime" provides a magnifying glass to the results of the negative forces that devastate our United States: capitalism, inadequate labor practices, and insufficient assistance for those suffering from mental illness, and a realization that the American rule of "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" is one of the most physically impossible task. The film outlines the many ways in which people in America are unable to provide for their citizens. United States fails to fully ensure the welfare of its citizens right from the moment of birth up to the point of the moment of death. The manner in which Michael states in a poetic way during our Q&A "

   "It isn't obvious however I'm convinced that the focus of this film is the inhumanity capitalism has brought about. ...My dad was the product of a society that views individuals in the form of "human resources" which is a system that views individuals like "human resources" and renders them dehumanized for inability to be a part of a rigid working system and exploit. "

As austere in its filmmaking like the harsh Montana winters it's situated in "Meantime" is a documentary about wounded souls who nonetheless transformed into caring and kind individuals.

We had the opportunity to have the opportunity to ask Michael some questions about the making of this special photo of the family and we were amazed by his kind and considerate answer. Learn more details about the conversation that we had with him.

The inspiration for this is:

   "The idea for this film began when I helped my father digitize his home-based videos. While reviewing them, I experienced these deeply emotional instances even in the most tiny and insignificant moments that my father recorded. It was not the celebrations of Christmas celebrations, birthdays, or weddings that were the most affecting. They were the times when my loved ones were caught between, looking for something to happen and just playing, talking, or fighting. These were the moments that I could see those I had known in different stages in their life. My understanding of their experience was more precise. I've always been opposed to creating personal film, however seeing the film and seeing myself back home in Montana inspired me to create this documentary. . "

His tips on filming family:

   "Working with family members is a nightmare. Knowing when to turn off the camera, and instead exist was the greatest challenge. While we were in the middle of our session, my dad and I were recording. The way I'm feeling is that I'm with my camera in my pocket currently. The best advice for filmmakers who work with family would be to arrange the time and location you are going to record and utilize it as a limitation. Don't record everything all the time but don't be a slave to whatever is happening. Think about what you'd want to capture and then let your camera roll. When you are done you're done. There will be things you don't remember but that's okay. The most important thing is to create a scenario where what you record will be more likely of being significant and memorable. Shut off your camera and begin to enjoy your everyday living . "

The reaction of his family to the film

   "My family has watched the movie. I presented it to my mom when the film was over and it was one of the most intense memories I've ever had. Because the film is so my personal story it was difficult for me to not be able to resist moments of being completely indifferent to it, as well as moments of intense feelings. As I was watching the film with my mom, a few details in the film caused me to burst into tears in a manner that I was unable to control. It's a testament to how the context of the people who are watching the movie can profoundly affect how you feel about the movie. It was a gratifying experience for both of us , and she was able to understand more about the viewpoint of her father, which she was unable to see when she was younger.

   The most anxiety I had was showing it to my father. We had planned to share our experience, but the timing was not right and he decided to see the film by himself. When he contacted me and informed me that he'd was watching the film at home, my heart broke. He said something along the similar to "Mike I've seen your film, which is excellent. I'm not going to ever for the next time." The most stressful thing for him wasn't his vulnerableness in his words but rather his experience watching him in the film in addition to listening to his voice, which felt the most uncomfortable (for myself as well). ). "

On challenges faced:

   "The toughest part of creating this film was to establish separation between me and the film. I consider this to be the toughest part of personal work and, majority of the time, it fails to perform. Personal films can be emotional for the creator, but not for the viewer. I was trying to steer away from the possibility of this and to seek to disengage myself from the film considering it as someone who does not know myself. As the editor, this was a constant issue. I solved this problem thanks to the support of many trustworthy people close to me, whom I received constructive comments. . "

What would he like us to consider upon watching the movie

   "It may not be evident, but I think the theme of this film is the ugliness of capitalism. In the end, it is what is behind my dad's struggle to have a fulfilled and comfortable life. While abuse may be the basis of my dad's troubles but the failure to heal from his trauma is an issue of social norms and not an individual inability. My dad's story is the product of an ideology that views the human being to be "human resources" that is an approach that is dehumanizing individuals who aren't able to be integrated into an impermanent process of labor and exploitation.

   Capitalism offers working-class people two choices: work or work on the streets. Although this isn't explicitly mentioned in the movie, it does form the underworld basis of the plot. The people living in the same situation as my father could have access to decent health and medical care along with food, shelter, and housing and did not have to prove their worthiness by working in a poor environment and living in an unhappily environment, they would be living a life of happiness and safe in a secure environment where they could work at healing the trauma they suffered.

   The crucial detail on the film's titles is that the stroke of my father was the result of an anxiety attack at working hours because the business wanted to increase profits through inadequate staffing at the workplace in which the employee was. I realized that this was an ongoing issue when I was creating the film. I discovered that stress from working more than the pressure of raising a family was that which led to my father's mental health crisis when I was a child.

   Furthermore, I believe that the film will encourage viewers to value the time they spend with their loved families and talk about difficult times and experiences with compassion as well as an open and honest setting. The emotional nucleus of the film is the care we give our parents by knowing them as human beings and cherishing the precious moments you spend with their loved ones . "

Michael's suggestions to new filmmakers:

   "I always make sure that my students be adamant to maintain their passion for making movies. Every step is an uphill battle for the industry to make you go through the middle to make you else's tool. They'll seek to take the fun away from the process and make artificially high stakes to produce an uninteresting media. Anyone who's worked at a major advertising station is aware of this. I'd suggest you do things that make you feel excited even if the work you earn doesn't. Continue to work in your personal film, or other pursuits that make you feel like an artist. If you're part of Sundance but you've completely abandoned filmmaking. What's the point of making such a film? ? "

What's next?

   "I'm working on a feature-length documentary concept that is a woven-narrative character-driven observational film set in the mining town of Montana. This project is at the early stages of development, so I'm not able to offer much more than that at present.

   I'm currently writing a piece that will be focusing on the people who work in jobs they recognize as completely unproductive. If you're interested in a job such as this, do not hesitate to contact me to me via email. There is a casting process underway . "

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