A former screenwriting student of mine, Devinder Singh, had his short film, Take Out, shown at Cannes this year. It's an exciting thing to have made your first film, but to have it appear at the most prestigious film festival in the world is a significant accomplishment.
Here's an interview with Devinder in which he talks about his film and how he got to Cannes. His personal experience, as well as his advice, provide food for thought and inspiration to aspiring artists of all kinds.
What is your short film, Take Out, about?
Take Out is primarily about those seemingly insignificant moments in our lives and how they can sometimes impact our relationships way more than what we might think. In the process, it also examines different human relationships and explores the multicultural landscape of Montreal. It was finished in March 2011.
What was your inspiration for the film?
I have always been fascinated with the idea of how brief moments and seemingly trivial conversations between people can sometimes change the course of their relationships. When I see people in a restaurant, I always wonder how many little stories are going on during those innocent cups of coffee and the small talk between people. While I started working on this story, I found myself exploring different types of relationships between people in that restaurant, the father-son relationship, for one. Another idea which eventually developed was how each story ended up touching another story and, in the process, impacted the outcome of that other story quite significantly.
What is your training in screenwriting, and how has it contributed to your passion for filmmaking?
I believe that screenwriting is the foundation of filmmaking. I think, like most people who are interested in screenwriting and filmmaking, I also started with reading books on this subject and by beginning to watch films more carefully. But it was not until I took your course a few years back that I realized how little I know about it. (I still feel pretty much the same though.) But, I think your course was very helpful for me. Your focus on having the right structure for a screenplay is something I never forgot. The films you made us watch, the drills and the discussions all made the concept of structure very clear to me. Moreover, your notes on character building, dialogue and establishing the right context were very interesting and helpful. I referred a lot to your notes when I was working on the script of Take Out.
A still from the film, Take Out. Photo courtesy of D. Singh.
How did you end up making films? Was it something you always wanted to do, or did you come at the business from some other direction? (Here I'm thinking about your MBA. Was your degree a part of the bigger picture you had for yourself, so to speak, on the way to filmmaking, or did you decide later in life to change directions and get into films?)
I wish I could say that everything happened or is happening as per the plan. But the reality is that your present is a function of your circumstances and the choices you made in the past. But yes, as far as I can remember I have always wanted to make films. So, to answer your question, my MBA degree was not a part of the bigger picture I had in mind, but in the retrospect I think it is helping me in understanding the business side of filmmaking.
Recently, you took Take Out to Cannes. Congratulations on that!
Thanks.
What were the steps you took to get it there?
You have to apply by sending your film to the Cannes short film corner. A jury watches your film and decides if it’s worthy enough to play in the festival. After your film is accepted, they send you two passes to come and showcase your film there.
How was the film received?
There were hundreds of short films playing there from all over the world. It was a challenge to bring lots of people to watch your film. But we still managed to show our film to some important people and other filmmakers. Most people seem to have liked the film, although there were few who had issues with certain aspects of the film, which I humbly accept. It was all a big learning experience though.
What was the most surprising or delightful thing you experienced at Cannes?
For my first film, it was great to be a part of the biggest and the most prestigious film festival in the world. Also, meeting so many talented filmmakers and other artists under one roof was overwhelming. There were times when you were sharing the same space or having a conversation with a famous filmmaker you admire and during those moments the fan in you was competing with the filmmaker in you. It was kind of surreal!
Still from Take Out, courtesy D. Singh
You're currently working on a new film idea. What did you learn from doing your previous film that you take into the new project?
I just finished co-writing a short supernatural thriller script based on a story written by a writer friend. I will shoot that film soon. Apart from that, I’m working on developing a full-length, feature comedy script. I’m incorporating a lot of lessons I learned from the Take Out experience. One important thing I learned was that you cannot assume audiences will automatically get all the things you want to say. I think you have to work very hard in developing your ideas so that they are neither too subtle nor too direct, and at the same time, the story has to engage people emotionally.
What are the differences, for you, between being a screenwriter and director?
I believe that screenwriting is the most important aspect of filmmaking, but it still comes under the umbrella of film directing. A film director needs to be in control of the whole medium and has to understand each facet of filmmaking. He or she doesn’t need to be perfect in each aspect, but should know how to use both talent and technology to tell a story in the best possible way. I have a long way to go before I can reach that stage.
Devinder Singh. Photo courtesy of D. Singh.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writer/filmmakers? I think I’m too small a fish to give advice to anybody, but I do believe in what the great painter
Pierre-Auguste Renoir used to advise young painters: learn your craft not on the street but in the museum. No doubt the inspiration for your art always comes from real life itself, but that serves as no more than raw material. You have to learn from the masters how to convert that raw material into pieces of art. So, I believe one can learn a lot by analyzing the works of the filmmakers/writers who inspire you the most. Also, taking proper courses, workshops, etc., can help a lot. I agree with
Stephen King when he says that if you are not spending an average four hours everyday in writing and/or serious reading, don’t call yourself a real writer. Finally, I think in today's highly competitive world of filmmaking, networking and keeping abreast with the latest is very important for new filmmakers.
Anything else you'd like to add? I would like to take this opportunity to thank the cast and crew of
Take Out once again. Each one of them gave not only their time and talent but also brought their own unique interpretation to the project. Montreal has a very conducive atmosphere for independent film, and I will always be indebted to the city that provided me the opportunity to make my first film.
Thanks very much for the interview!
To see an excerpt from Devinder's film, check out his Web site here:
www.takeinfinityproductions.com
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