Evan Wiley

The Old Tin Can | www.venturecompasspictures.com

Meet Evan Wiley.  Evan will be screening The Old Tin Can, a film he created and starred in, at the November EFP.  Eileen recently sat down with him to discuss the film and the other projects he currently has in the works.

EA: Why did you become a film maker?

EW: I’d say I became a film maker for several reasons, and I have a very specific philosophy on film as well. I’ve always loved movies, but I actually started making them when I was a lot younger, first starting to make cheesy action films with a friend of mine and uploading them to Youtube. I started to like it and from there, I started wanting to get more and more into it, taking it on myself to make my own films, and additionally doing internships, getting to know film makers, doing school independent studies and learning everything I could. I’d say I want to be a film maker in general because it is a beautiful way to express any and all aspects of life, not to make the beauty more than what it already is, but to put it in a light that expresses it to those who can not already see it. It’s powerful and universal, an also really fun.

EA: What are we going to see at EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?

EW: The Old Tin Can was a project I made entirely by myself, inspired by the actual old can that I found one day. I had no intention to submit the short to any festivals or projects such as this, but after re-watching it and remembering how fun it was to accomplish such a simple idea in such a great way, I wanted to be able to talk about it and express the power of this style of film.

EA: What else are you working on?

EW: I actually have a ton of very big, long-term projects that I’m currently working on, and I’m actually looking to make more shorts such as this in my time in between my big projects. I’m writing a feature and making a short film based off of that feature film, I am planning a web-series in collaboration with Moon Clock Films for the summer, a 24 hour film festival I am starting with a friend is coming up, and also a lot of smaller jobs such as Dorito commercials, my school independent study on acting, and some other short films– things of that nature.

EA: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?

EW: Probably one of the most unique or weird thing is the process I go about making a film and where the inspiration comes from. For example, a similar short I did that was post-apocalyptic was literally inspired by a pair of shoes I found in my garage. With short films like these, they are oftentimes inspired through a cool item, location or song which I can take and create a theme out of. I created a post-apocalyptic theme out of those shoes, and from there I add a story to the theme. I also like to leave my short films up for a lot of interpretation by the audience, I think it’s important for the visuals to play a large part in the story of films.

EA: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?

EW: You can go to my Youtube sites, Venture Compass Pictures, and Wiley Films. My new production company, Venture Compass can also be checked out at www.venturecompasspictures.com.

EA: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?

EW: I’d like to say that it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. I’ve tried to find places to submit my work and get recognition for my efforts in film though it’s oftentimes super hard to find a contest that either recognizes my particular style, or provides for varying styles of film in general. This project has helped me get out into the world of film without having to adhere to festival or contest requirements, and has helped get recognition and explain my work which I think is gold to emerging film makers I believe. You’re doing your job well as an organization, it’s very helpful.

The Old Tin Can will screen November 21st at The Emerging Filmmakers Project.