Fulfillment | www.maskilproductions.com
Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
TN: Trying to figure out what I want to be “when I grow up” was a long process for me. There are so many things that interest me! I love stories—especially when they surprise and move me, or make me laugh. Light and photography have always fascinated me. At the same time, I have a strong aptitude for music and sound. I kept bouncing between interests that scratched one of these itches, until I realized that film is a perfect convergence of all three. So whenever I do grow up, that’s what I want to be.
Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
TN: I’m thrilled to be showing my latest short, Fulfillment, at EFP. It’s definitely the most serious and “artsy” of the films I’ve made. David Quakenbush, our brilliant cinematographer, described it as, “David Lynch directs the Bible,” which is higher praise than it deserves, but I’ll take it!
I wrote and directed the film, and Owen Hisle of Upon This Rock Films produced. Of course, there are many other people who played vital roles in bringing it to life. It’s screened at a few film festivals around the country, and we’ve been blessed with some awards. It was selected to go in an anthology of short films to be distributed in foreign countries without access to much Christian media. It’s not an easy popcorn film. It requires you to pay attention and think. Ultimately, that’s my hope for the film: that it makes you think.
Q: What else are you working on?
TN: I just wrapped up a long-term animation project on human trafficking for the non-profit iEmpathize. Heavy, I know! Still, it was a lot of fun, and both an honor and a challenge to work with such an important topic. I’m developing a romantic comedy feature right now, to get back to something a little lighter! There are also a few web-series ideas I’ve been kicking around, and I have this crazy idea about setting up a film-a-month group, where we take turns working on each other’s shorts.
Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
TN: My philosophy is, “It’s a movie! It shouldn’t be something you see every day.” As such, my films almost always have some element of science fiction, fantasy, or the supernatural in them.
Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
TN: Wow, after reading this much, I figured people would want a break! If you just can’t get enough, please visit www.maskilproductions.com, where you can see some more of my work. Say hi to my buddy Hamlet the mouse while you’re there!
Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
TN: If I had to give EFP an arbitrary rating, it would be, “100 friends under 1 roof!” From the very first time I went to Emerging Filmmakers Project, it has always felt like a big family reunion. Okay, that may not conjure a positive image for some people. It’s a good family reunion, someplace really fun, with relatives you really like!
Fulfillment will screen December 18th at The Emerging Filmmakers Project.
