Javad Karimabadi

Independent Research Pd.1

Interview Transcription
6/7/19

*Interview with Rik Swartzwelder, feature and short filmmaker*

Javad: What about filmmaking first interested you?

Mr Swartzwelder: I love telling stories, plain and simple. Being able to do that through the
different mediums which film offers you really excites me.

Javad: Ah of course! What do you define as a successful film?

Mr Swartzwelder: Any film that accomplishes what it sets out to do is successful. Whether that is
to entertain, educate, or scare. Making a profit is also a factor, but in terms of storytelling, doing
what it is made for is key.

Javad: I completely agree. What’re some challenges in filmmaking and how do you combat
them?

Mr Swartzwelder: There are a lot. Scripting issues, location issues, actors with personal issues,
the whole lot. I believe the key is to be calm, composed, understanding, but always prepared.
Always have a backup plan. You can never be too prepared when it comes to this industry.

Javad: I agree fully. How does a director’s personality and personal flavor influence their film?
Can this possibly have negative effects?

Mr Swartzwelder: Their personality and interests influence the types of films that they make. If
they mostly enjoy say comedy or action, they’re going to make those kinds of films. I don’t
believe this has any negative effect. Authentic storytelling is the best kind of storytelling by far.

Javad: I agree. Are some stories harder to tell depending on the genre?

Mr Swartzwelder: It depends on the filmmaker. A predominantly horror filmmaker may struggle

with making a drama, but a dramatic filmmaker can make a drama easily. It all depends on the
experience of the filmmaker and what they have to offer and bring to the table. Anybody can tell
a story. But different people tell different stories in their own way.

Javad: That’s very insightful. How would you describe the directing process and what it entails?
Mr Swartzwelder: It is essentially having a command over the entire set and imposing your
vision using the resources at your disposal. Your set and crew are extensions of yourself. You
need to understand them well in order to use them effectively.

Javad: That is very true. What would you say is the key to investing the audience in a film/story?

Mr Swartzwelder: Authenticity. Tell a story in ways that aren’t conventional, and tell
unconventional stories. This how you stand out and grab the audience’s attention. Nowadays,
audiences are looking for things they haven’t seen before. Capitalize on this. It is the only
guaranteed way to invest the audience.

Javad: That is fascinating. What are some elements of films that can cause the audience to lose
interest?

Mr Swartzwelder: Formulaic storytelling, uninspired visual choices, and weak writing all can
cause an audience to be uninterested. This makes them feel like they’re seeing something that
isn’t worth their time. Filmmakers should respect their audiences with their films. Respect the
audience, and the audience will respect you.

Javad: That makes a lot of sense. What would you say is the most important/fundamental
storytelling technique?

Mr Swartzwelder: Three act structure and the director having a personal connection to the story.
Without either of these, the story will feel disjointed and uninspired. This will make your film a
failure in my opinion.

Javad: I’ll be sure to keep that in mind. What is the most important role that film plays in
society/pop culture?

Mr Swartzwelder: Exposing us to new ideas. That is the beauty of storytelling, there are so many
perspectives that stories can be told from. This gives us a broader scope of what goes on in the
world and make us into more well rounded individuals.

Javad: That is really insightful. Lastly, What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers?

Mr Swartzwelder: Only go into filmmaking if it is your passion. If it is, then you will enjoy it
and love it. No matter how long the days in the editing room or on the set are, if you are
passionate, you will love it. But if you’re not passionate and just doing it for fame or money, it is
going to be a long and arduous career. Also tell the stories that are close to your heart. These are
the most authentic and resonant with audiences.

Javad: Thank you so much for your time. Coming from you this means a lot!

Mr Sigamoney: No problem, happy to help. Take care and good luck!

Javad: Thank you!

Reflection: While shorter than my other interviews, this one was particularly insightful as it was
with a man who has directed a feature film (​Old Fashioned)​ . I was finally able to touch base with
someone in the exact area of expertise which I hope to go into and it gave me a lot of good
insight into the world of filmmaking and storytelling and what to do in order to ensure success.