PATS FIRST KISS Directed By Pat Mills

Indie Express: Tell us about your film?

Pat: “Pat’s First Kiss” – it’s a four minute animation that tells the sad true story of my first kiss. I made it as a self-portrait for the Toronto International Film Festival’s 2007 Talent Lab. I shot it on a cell phone. It’s a tragic and personal story and part of me thinks that I’m insane for sending this out to festivals.

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

P: I always tell the story of my first kiss because it’s hilariously tragic. For the Talent Lab, we had to shoot a self-portrait, so I thought I’d tell this story – it’s funny and disturbing.

IE: How did you assemble your production team?

P: It was all me.  Just me holding a cell phone with my left hand and me animating with my right.

IE: How did you find your cast? 

P: Jason Phin is my good friend Gloria’s husband.  He’s got a great voice and a fantastic personality. I asked him if he could do a fake British accent – and he could (quite perfectly, - people from Britain who saw the film actually thought he was British). Easy-peasy. I love working with friends.

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

P: A few weeks, I think? I came  up with the idea in August of last year and I delivered it a few weeks later.  The “shoot” took maybe three days? And a day to edit.

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

P: I drew drawings on a big pad of paper and then would cut them out and move them around with string or my hand.

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

P: Experimenting with the cell phone medium. It was a challenge trying to find a way for it to not look like pixelated-shit.

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

P: Nothing in particular, really. My roommate, Em kept me company while I was animating. I think we had some good, memorable conversations about serial killers.

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

P: Frameline is the film festival premiere – it’s playing at some other festivals, including The Palm Springs Festival of Short Films.

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

P: Sadly, I’m at home in the fetal position mumbling to myself about not being able to attend Frameline. It’s amazing that I got myself together to do this interview.

IE: What has been your most interesting Q&A so far?  What was your favorite question?  How was the dialogue afterwards?

P: I don’t know. I tend to “black out” during such things. I never remember the questions were or what my answers were.

IE: What films or filmmakers inspire you?

P: “Welcome to the Dollhouse” and “Election” are perfect movies.  I also have to watch “Working Girl” whenever I’m in a terrible mood – always makes me feel like I can put on some Reeboks and take on the corporate world.

IE: What made you decide to become a filmmaker?

P: When I was about five years-old, I went to a shitty kids movie with my parents (it was called “Heartbeeps” about robots in love). Halfway through the movie, I had to pee, so I snuck out of the movie. “Fame” was playing in the next theatre, so I walked in – it was the “Hot Lunch Jam” scene. My mouth dropped. My eyes widened.

Also, because I’m quite clumsy, I fell down and hit my head a lot when I was a kid – which likely caused brain damage.

I think the combination of these factors led me to become a filmmaker. I haven’t looked back since.

IE: What is next for you? 

P: I’m shooting another Short this summer called “5 Dysfunctional People in a Car”– and I’m currently submitting my latest completed film “Marjorie” (an NSI Drama Prize) out to festivals. I also have another film “Don’t Talk to Irene” that’s marinating in post for way-too-long. I hope to have it finished soon. I’ve also been directing a web-series called “Do You Believe Me? – it’s a sci-fi show for teens. It’s been a lot of fun and it should be launching soon.

IE: What is next for the film?

P: It’ll do the festival circuit – a healthy one, I hope.

IE: If asked to give one piece of advice to a new filmmaker making their first short film… What would it be?

P: Spend more time casting.  Also, shorter is better.  Seriously – there’s nothing worse than an OK-short that’s way too long (I know this because I’ve done this before

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

P: Is this your first animation?

IE: What is the Answer to that question?

P: Yes. But I’ll do more.