In-World War: March 2012

This is the first in a new series of interviews with the people behind In-World War. Filmmaking is a team sport; it takes a village to make a movie.

Simeon Moses plays the lead role of Mary.

How would you describe In-World War (the film itself) in no more than seven words?
A challenging, novel, and creative experience.

Why did you get involved with it? How did you hear about it?
I got an email from the casting producer Mariel asking to audition. I told her I wasn't an actor, but she said the director wanted me to audition anyway. It turned out that I bumped into Brant [aka IWW Director DJ Bad Vegan] and we had a semi-awkward conversation for about thirty seconds, which led him to asking me to audition. I auditioned at a local library where the librarian asked us to keep it down. Through all this, I somehow ended up becoming a proud member of In-World War.

Did you enjoy working on the film? What was the best part for you?
Enjoyment may not be the right expression. Pleasurably difficult might be more accurate. The daily surprises and spur-of-the-moment triumphs kept things interesting throughout filming. Seeing it get done was like watching a tightrope walker (aka Brant) perform amazing feats that defy the laws of nature. Murphy’s Law always competed with the persistence of a dedicated crew. I would like to think we fought the law, and this time we won.

What interested you about this film in particular?
The script combined with Brant’s vision expressed so passionately hooked me.

How long have you been working in film/involved with film?
I have been writing for over ten years and studied film at the University of Washington. But In-World War was my first acting role.

What is your goal in filmmaking generally (director, writer, director of photography, key grip, etc.) and why?
I am still pursuing a screenwriting career. Though there have been many detours, it's a continuing journey.

In your view, why is filmmaking and making art important to society as a whole?
Try imagining a world without it.

Did helping make an indie film leave you with a positive or negative outlook on this type of ultra-low budget filmmaking (and why)? Positive. The power of overcoming adversity was in full effect. It was inspirational.

How do you feel about the genre of science fiction? Is sci-fi just for fun or can we tell serious stories that are culturally relevant? (Okay, that’s a loaded question.... but still, what do you think?)
Sci-fi is serious stuff. The fiction has come closer to reality every year.

The film takes an unusual sci-fi approach to issues of racial profiling, Islamophobia and the so-called “war on terror” -- how have these issues impacted your life and your work?
I would be lying if I said it had a significant impact in my life. As someone smarter than me at a conference said recently "It's easy to preach to the converted. It’s changing minds and hearts that is a challenge." In reality, one film will not eliminate Islamophobia or end the so-called "War on Terror." However, films like this have a cumulative effect. The more truthful articles, the more accurate depictions in media, the greater amount of content that resemble this film, whether entertainment or informative, and the more awareness we as a society create will eventually have the desired effect of social change reducing the impact of profiling and helping to end the active role our government has in pursuing obscure threats.

Before you started with IWW, what did you expect it to be like working on the film?
I had little expectation. That's the advantage of being new to the craft. Most everything was unexpected.

What did your experience of working on IWW tell you about humanity and people in general?
Art is alive and well, and people will unselfishly give their time and effort for a worthy vision.

What else would you like to say about your experience on IWW? Any funny anecdotes or behind the scenes stories?
Looking back on it, filming in Brant's car was pretty funny. I think the only thing that worked in his car were the brakes. They worked very well.

What have you been doing since you worked on the film? What other film projects have you done?
I have mostly been doing a lot of non-film related work.

Why should people get involved with, donate money and/or help out on IWW?
To support Brant.

DIY filmmaking can be rough. What was the worst moment? If you have one, share a painful memory from making the film, to give a taste of how tough it got.
It was actually a pretty smooth process. The only moment I can think of that was somewhat uncomfortable was Brant's car. Just riding in it can be a little sketchy (sorry Brant!). But we hit the brakes maybe twenty times to get a shot, and I kept jerking around like a ragdoll and smacked my knee at one point. It wasn't that painful but this is the closest incident I can think of to answer this question.