• About Us
  • Sasha Stone
  • Editor Ryan Adams
  • Clarence Moye
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Awardsdaily - The Oscars, the Films and everything in between.
  • Home
  • Oscar Predictions
    • Best Picture
    • Best Actor
    • Best Actress
  • Good As Gold
  • AD TV
  • Podcasts
  • FYC Gallery
  • Interviews
  • All News
  • Home
  • Oscar Predictions
    • Best Picture
    • Best Actor
    • Best Actress
  • Good As Gold
  • AD TV
  • Podcasts
  • FYC Gallery
  • Interviews
  • All News
No Result
View All Result
Awardsdaily - The Oscars, the Films and everything in between.
No Result
View All Result

Interview: Lauren Wolkstein on Directing The Strange Ones

by Jazz Tangcay
November 27, 2017
in Interviews
3
Interview: Lauren Wolkstein on Directing The Strange Ones

The Strange Ones premiered at this year’s SXSW. The psychological thriller, dark and foreboding, introduces an abundance of newcomer talent in addition to showcasing some familiar faces. Marking the feature film directorial debut of filmmakers, Christopher Radcliffe and Lauren Wolkstein, the duo bring an interesting point of view with their ability to weave stories together in the script and on screen. They deliver a highly suspenseful, dark and enthralling thriller mystery curated by their poised direction.

The film stars James Freedson-Jackson who was awarded a Special Jury Recognition for Breakthrough Performance at SXSW. James tackles an emotionally complex roll as Sam, a young boy who has just experienced unimaginable trauma. He escapes into the wilderness alongside a mysterious, brooding Nick (played by Alex Pettyfer).

The story unfolds through the innocent yet jaded eyes of Sam – the audience does not know what exactly happened, only that Sam is trying to pick up the pieces. Nick is a presence who is menacing but charming, seductive but dark, and all the while shows his vulnerability.

I caught up with writer-director Lauren Wolkstein  for a quick chat recently to talk about the challenges of adapting a short story into a feature-length film and how she managed to maintain the mystery and thrill of the original short.

You made the short in 2011, when did you realize you could turn this into a feature?

Christopher and I made this in 2011, as you say, and the whole time that we were making this short, we had this whole backstory about what happens before the plot of the short and after it ends. It was all background information we used to develop the short.

It’s a different version of the motel sequence. Through the clerk’s perspective, we see these two strangers come to the motel for the first time and she doesn’t know who they are. It’s the scene where James says who his brother really is. After everyone had seen the short, people were asking us what happens and they wanted to see more and that’s when Chris and I decided to expand it.

We started working on developing this further. The biggest challenge was the short had this very contained mystery that raised one question at the end of the sequence. Our challenge was to maintain that mystery and get people engaged and to delve deeper without getting lost. So, it was knowing when to raise questions and when to answer them.

What was the shooting process for you?

It was too fast. I wish we had more time. We had twenty days of shooting on a low budget. There were a lot of location moves and felt rushed at times, and didn’t have that full budget. It’s hard to make a film on a low budget and maintain that tension without making it feel like it was low budget. Having said that, it was a dream to work with James and Alex on set. James is actually a really happy guy which is so different to who he is in the film. When we weren’t shooting he made it fun to be on set because the story is really quite dark.

The film is this road trip through these landscapes and we really took those trips along with the characters.

Where do you draw the line with pushing the audience?

Part of the challenge was knowing what to show the audience and what not to show. How do you maintain that mystery and let the audience figure it out? The challenge was how much do we show, and if we show too much does that take away from the experience?

Chris and I were saying each time we write a scene there should be dual interpretations of a scene. Is the brother the protector or is he dangerous? That was what was really exciting for us to hold back and let it be nuanced to create the underlying tension.

Tags: InterviewLauren WolksteinSXSWThe Strange Ones
Jazz Tangcay

Jazz Tangcay

As a Brit, I'll say anything. Some things I love; Meryl Streep, Italians and Starbucks.

Next Post
Interview: Wes Studi on Playing the Dying Chief in Hostiles and the Representation of Native Americans in Film

Interview: Wes Studi on Playing the Dying Chief in Hostiles and the Representation of Native Americans in Film

Sign up for Awards Daily's Breaking News

* indicates required

Diane Warren, Laura Pausini Deserve To Be “Seen” and Recognized For Their Beautiful “Io Si”

Diane Warren, Laura Pausini Deserve To Be “Seen” and Recognized For Their Beautiful “Io Si”

(Photo: Netflix)

by Kevin Dillon
March 4, 2021
0

‘Promising Young Woman,’ ‘Mank’ Among Nominees for 23rd Costume Designers Guild Awards

Promising Young Woman is Disturbing, Original and Unforgettable
by Clarence Moye
March 4, 2021
0

Watch: Scott Wheeler Discusses the Makeup and Prosthetic Work Behind ‘One Night in Miami’

How ‘One Night In Miami’ Screenwriter Kemp Powers Used an Iconic Friendship to Explore Competing Ideas of Activism and Masculinity

Photo Courtesy of Amazon Studios

by Shadan Larki
March 3, 2021
1

Producers Guild Preview – News of the World Remains the Only Big Studio Offering in the Oscar Race

The State of the Race – A Trial Separation Between Critics and the Oscars
by Sasha Stone
March 3, 2021
41

The Globes Ratings Plummet – Hollywood and Film Awards Need a Wake-up Call

The Globes Ratings Plummet – Hollywood and Film Awards Need a Wake-up Call
by Sasha Stone
March 3, 2021
63

Berlin Dispatch – Petite Maman / What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?

by Zhuo-Ning Su
March 3, 2021
0

Predict the Producers and Directors Guild Awards

Predict the Producers and Directors Guild Awards
by Sasha Stone
March 3, 2021
4

Leslie Odom Jr. On Creating Art Alongside the Impact of Sam Cooke’s for ‘One Night in Miami…’

Leslie Odom Jr. On Creating Art Alongside the Impact of Sam Cooke’s for ‘One Night in Miami…’

(Photo: Patti Perret/Amazon Studios)

by Joey Moser
March 3, 2021
0

‘Soul,’ ‘Wolfwalkers’ Lead 2021 Annie Awards

Here Are Your Official Cannes 2020 Titles

(Photo: Disney)

by Clarence Moye
March 3, 2021
0

Jamie Dornan Dances (and Sings) His Way into the Comedic Performance Pantheon

Jamie Dornan Dances (and Sings) His Way into the Comedic Performance Pantheon

Jamie Dornan as Edgar in Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar. Photo Credit: Cate Cameron

by Frank J. Avella
March 3, 2021
6

Diving Into The 2020 Golden Globe Television Winners

Diving Into The 2020 Golden Globe Television Winners

(Photo: Netflix)

by Jalal Haddad
March 3, 2021
1

Berlin Dispatch – The Girl and the Spider

by Zhuo-Ning Su
March 2, 2021
0

Coppola, Sorkin, McQueen, More Honored at 16th Annual Final Draft Awards

Coppola, Sorkin, McQueen, More Honored at 16th Annual Final Draft Awards

(Photo: FinalDraft.com)

by Clarence Moye
March 2, 2021
0

Join us Facebook

AwardsDaily Crew

  • About Us
  • Sasha Stone
  • Editor Ryan Adams
  • Clarence Moye
  • Contact Us

ADTV Crew

  • ADTV Home
  • Megan McLachlan, Co-Editor
  • Clarence Moye, Co-Editor
  • Jalal Haddad, Senior Contributor
  • Joey Moser, Senior Contributor
  • Kevin Dillon
  • Shadan Larki
  • Ben Morris
  • David Phillips

Follow on Twitter

ADTV Twitter

  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Advertising on Awards Daily

© 1999-2021 AwardsDaily.com

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Oscar Predictions
    • Best Picture
    • Best Actor
    • Best Actress
  • Good As Gold
  • AD TV
  • Podcasts
  • FYC Gallery
  • Interviews
  • All News

© 1999-2021 AwardsDaily.com