In the vibrant landscape of independent cinema, every filmmaker holds a story as compelling as the films they create. At the Blue Bird Film Festival, we had the privilege of delving into the captivating journey of one such filmmaker who graced our screens with their remarkable work. Through an insightful interview, we had the opportunity to unveil the inspirations, challenges, and triumphs that have defined their path in the world of filmmaking.
The beginning of her Journey
For Talia Nicole Abbene, our filmmaker for this interview, the filmmaking journey began as a spark ignited by a profound love of watching movies, especially in the horror genre. “My dad was going on a hike at night and invited me to go. I thought that sounded really scary the idea of hiking at night and then the idea of making a horror movie about night hiking was born”, shares Taila. On that very trip, she had her first experiment in filmmaking using her phone and some props which she edited using Final Cut Pro. This is the event that gradually led to the making of The Night Hike 2: Witch Way.
Fueling Creativity: Inspiration and Motivation
Taila, as a filmmaker, wants to share the things she loves with her audience; she wants to accomplish horror while still spreading joy to people with her stories. Apart from horror, she also plans to include comedy in her future stories. When asked about who inspires her the most, she says: “There are so many people who have been such a source of inspiration in filmmaking….Definitely, my Papa Ben and My Grandma Laura are an inspiration to me. ” She has also been inspired by filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Andrea Arnold.
Navigating through Challenges
Taila sarcastically says: “I have overcome my challenges with a lot of crying. I’m only partially kidding.” Some of the challenges that she and her team faced during the filmmaking process were due to weather. “Most of our filming took place during the winter so it was very cold and difficult to get a lot of scenes done each time we went out to film”, shares Taila. She also added that there were other challenges like her younger brother was not available for filming and she had to kill him off in the story. The post-production and editing also posed various issues that she had to overcome.
The Themes of her Work
Taila has emphasised the amount of consistent work that needs to be put into the process of creating a film. She says: “In filmmaking, I usually have an idea or concept that I get excited about, and then I usually build off of that slowly. Sometimes I throw away ideas and jump to other ideas while still keeping the original concept, but eventually, some pieces fall into place and I continue to build from there.” She also gives us some insights on her next film which has to do with a scary board game. “I love board games, so this felt like a fun way to share something I enjoy yet try to make it scary”, shares Taila.
Her Views on the Impact of Film Festivals
“I believe film festivals play a huge role in the industry. I think that it’s a great way to connect with other filmmakers and artists. I think it’s a beautiful platform to share your films and get raw feedback while also being influenced by other people’s art in a profound way”, says Taila. She thinks that film festivals help you connect with the world around you, which to me is so important as an independent filmmaker.
On her Creative Choices for The Night Hike 2: Witch Way
Taila shares that she would first imagine the cinematography in her head and then talk it through with what could be shown based on the location and props. “I would sometimes sketch little images to play in my head to see if it was working or if there may be a better way to show the story.” When asked about the sound editing for her film, she says: “The sound editing was a lot of work that my brother and I spent editing. I am hoping to get better at the production stage of sound going forward.” She adds: “I was able to use a lot of free sound effects and songs off the internet to add to the film. I also recorded natural sounds and added them in certain spots as well.”
The Final Word
As we bid farewell to Taila Nicolle Abbene and her illuminating insights, we are reminded of the profound impact that cinema has on our lives. Through their artistry and dedication, they have enriched our festival experience and left an indelible mark on our hearts. For new aspiring filmmakers, she had one piece of advice: to believe in yourself more, trust your instincts and enjoy the beauty of making mistakes along the way.
At Blue Bird Film Festival, we celebrate not only the films themselves but also the creative minds behind them – for it is their passion, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to storytelling that breathe life into the silver screen.
