Kristian Comer

1. Your film July 15th is just entered in our PIMFF competition. How was the film inspired?
Yes, it is, and thank you for having me here today. I was inspired by the theme of true love and what happens to it after death.

2. How did the filming process go? What was challenging during filming?

The filming process for July 15th was complicated. We filmed live on location in Washington Square Park and our sound got thrown out due to background noise from park-goers. I decided instead of tossing the film to turn it into a silent film and embrace this situation as a new direction for the short. It worked out overall and I am very happy with how July 15th turned out. Thus showing there are no real mistakes just happy little accidents along the way.

3. Tell us about your background and when did you decide to become a filmmaker?

I started as a stage actress in college and from there decided to try out film and tv acting and I liked it a lot. I started booking a lot of supporting roles and feature roles. It was really fun and I learned a lot, but I wanted to do more than acting and got the courage to write my first short film in 2016 and have been writing, directing, acting, and producing my own work since then. I’ve been really lucky to have worked with such amazing people along the way that helped me grow into the artist I am today.

4. Films that inspired you to become a filmmaker?

The Princess Bride, Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Crow, Flight of the Dragons, The Secret of NIMH, Spaceballs, Dead Again, Mrs. Doubtfire, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Monty Python and The Holy Grail, Much Ado About Nothing, The Big Boss, The NeverEnding Story, Run Fat Boy Run, Star Wars Return of The Jedi, The Joy Luck Club, Highlander, Pretty in Pink, Ranma 1/2 Big Trouble in Nekonron, China, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Amelie, and Hamlet.

5. Who is your biggest influence?

My father. At an early age, we use to watch films and tv shows together. X-files, Highlander, and Supernatural were our favorites to binge watch and we would have these great conversations that came from them. Those dear moments led me to fall in love with acting and what brought me to where I am today.

6. Do you have a favorite genre to work in? Why is it your favorite?

Shakespeare, I love working with Shakespeare. There is just something about it. The swords, the words, the stories resonate deep within me as no other genre has before. It challenges me as an artist to dig deeper within myself to create something new and beautiful and moving that will provoke meaningful raw moments and emotions from my audience.

7. What’s your all-time favorite movie and why?

I would have to say The Princess Bride. I am a big hopeless romantic at heart and the script and dialogue always inspire me as a writer even to this day after watching it over thousands of times for sure.

8. If you could work with anyone in the world, who would that person be?

Acting-wise I would say, Kenneth Branagh. He is one of my favorite actors by far. Filmmaking wise I would say, Hanelle Culpepper. Her work is truly amazing and every time I watch it I catch something new that I didn’t pick up on before. I hope to one day inspire other artists as they did with me.

9. The one person who has truly believed in you throughout your career.

I’ve been really lucky and really grateful to say I had a couple people rooting for me from the beginning of my career when I was just doing stage acting. They knew way before I did that this was going to be my career. Its funny how things like that are so obvious to others but not to you at the time. However I finally got here and I am loving the choices that I made and would like to take this time and thank all those people who supported me along the way. You guys know who you are!! Thank you for all the kind words of encouragement and having my back. I wouldn’t be here doing these awesome things without you. So thank you deeply and sincerely with all my heart and I hope you guys enjoy my work as much as I do making it.

10. What was the most important lesson you had to learn as filmmaker?

Patience. This is still something I struggle with from time to time, but filmmaking has taught me to be more of a patient person. That anything and everything can happen during production and you must be patient throughout the whole process if you want to create a safe place for your actors and crew to thrive in. Every good leader must lead by example and I strive to make my sets a place where others feel wanted and included throughout the whole creative process.

11. What keeps you motivated?

The need to make my father proud. He passed away before seeing any of my film or tv work. He was a big supporter of my acting and never missed a stage production when I was in college while he was alive and I know deep down in my heart that he would have loved to of turn on the tv and see me in a show or movie that he liked. I work hard each day to show him how far I’ve come as an artist and I hope that he is watching down over me with a smile.

12. How has your style evolved?

That’s a great question, I think with the progression of my career I have tried my hardest to not get pinned down to one type of genre and not be type-casted for my work. I think because of that I try to come to each project that I take on with a need to be different than my previous work. To think outside the box and to grow as an artist.

13. The project(s) you’re most proud of…

I know this sounds kinda cheesy but I am proud of all the projects that I finish from start to end. Creating a film takes a lot of time, money, and passion. I can’t tell you how many projects I have lined up waiting for me to dive into. Sometimes things don’t turn out the way you envision them. Sometimes they come out even better. Each project you learn and grow along the way. Each one brings you closer to the artist you wish to be.

14. The most challenging project you worked on. And why?

July 15th was the most challenging project I’ve worked so far because of the sound being tossed. It was like everything else is perfect and the story is really good. How are we going to save this film? And then it just came to me and the rest is history.

15. What are your short term and long term career goals?

My short term goal is to reach one person with my art and beautifully move them. To bring a smile to their face or a tear to their cheek. To make them feel what my characters are feeling. To give them a moment of entertainment and release from everyday life. To give them a perspective they didn’t have and to most importantly make them feel something after watching my work. Whereas my long term career goal is to reach millions of people and hopefully if I’m lucky inspire one of them to continue the never-ending story that is filmmaking and inspire others with their works.

16. Your next projects?

I have a couple of short film projects to tackle before starting graduate studies at The University of Birmingham and The Shakespeare Institute in the UK. I’m very excited to jump into them. Please feel free to follow my filmmaking journey on Instagram @ KC_Krispie. Thank you again for all your support!