OPERATED BY INVISIBLE HANDS Directed By Nicole Brending

Indie Express: Tell us about your film?  

Nicole: Operated by Invisible Hands is the story of two dolls who must confront their feelings for each

other after a night of unforgettable passion.

IE: How did you come up with the idea for the film?   

N: It was an act of rebellion.  That's all I'll say.

IE: How did you assemble your production team? 

N: I called myself.   I showed up.

IE: How did you find your cast?  

N: They were in the closet.   Literally.

IE: How long did the film take?  (From conception to final edit)

N: That's hard to say.  I sometimes feel like it just fell out of the

sky.  I really wasn't expecting to make this film.  50 hours?  55?

Less than average.

IE: Tell us a little about your process of directing (writing) this film:  

N: Cigarettes and beer.

IE: What was the most difficult part of the shoot for you?  

N: Working with the actors.

IE: Any particular moments from filming that stand out for you?  

N: The sex scene.  We were all very uncomfortable.

IE: Tell us about the film's festival experience so far?  

N: As far as I know, the film is enjoying the festival circuit - but I couldn't say

for sure.  I hardly see it anymore - it's always off somewhere getting

screened.    Last I heard, it won "best short" at the Fort Worth LGBT

film festival, and before that a student Emmy from the Academy of

Television Arts and Sciences.  I hope to see it in San Fransisco when

I'm at Frameline.  It will be a nice reunion.

IE: What are you most looking forward to at the festival? 

N: “The Vicious and the Delicious”.  I have a thing for Australians.

IE: What has been your most interesting Q&A so far?  What was your

favorite question?  How was the dialogue afterwards?   

N: My favorite question that I've been asked so far is "Why are the dolls wearing

wigs?"    I hadn't even noticed.    My other favorite question is: "Did you shoot on film?"   No.

IE: What films or filmmakers inspire you? 

N: The good ones.  (But, obviously, Todd Haynes. )

IE: What made you decide to become a filmmaker?  

N: Fate.

IE: What is next for you?  

N: I'm currently working on a feature script of a bi love story and am also in preproduction on a new short about

my experience working in the sex industry at the time of my grandfather's death.  Oh, and another doll movie - look for it.

IE: What is next for the film?   

N: I don't know.  I always thought it would a straight-to-video kind of thing.  I was wrong.    I'll let Frameline make

the decisions.    They seem to know what they're doing.

IE: If asked to give one piece of advice to a new filmmaker making

their first short film… What would it be?  

N: Use dolls.   They're the best actors for the beginning director.  And you don't have worry about scheduling re-shoots.

IE: What question would you like to be asked about your film?

N: Nicole, how did you get the dolls to seem so alive?

IE: What is the Answer to that question? 

N: Magic.