DRY RAIN Directed By Matthew J Clark

Shane: Tell us about your film?

Matthew: It is the story of an estranged father trying to get his life, his family and his power back after a long string of bad decisions.

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

M: I adapted the story from a short story called Dry Rain by author Pete Fromm.  I called up Pete out of the blue to see if he’d be willing to let me use the story.  I also offered him the chance to adapt the story.  He was in and we’ve really created a great bond.

S: Was this a school project?

M:  No, but I did win a grant to do the project through IFP Seattle.  I won the Spotlight Award for emerging filmmakers.

S: How did you find your cast? 

M: Part of the grant was a bunch of in-kind goods and services.  One of the services was the help of a casting agent.  Through our agent, we found the cast.

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

M:  I first met with Pete on the phone in March 2006 and we finished March 2008.

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

M:  We were shooting in the middle of the summer in Montana and it just so happened to be the worst year for forest fires.  We were surrounded by rampant wildfires.  Smoke became a huge issue.  How could we see through it let alone shoot in it!  Well, it didn’t ruin any of our days, but if you look hard, you can see it in the background of some wide shots.

S: Tell us about the films festival experience so far?

M: So far, I’ve been very on the fringe of the festival.  I’ve been busy working!  

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

M: I’m looking forward to the premiere of Dry Rain.  It sounds like we have a huge group of friends, cast and crew coming out to see the screening.  It’ll be a big reunion and party!

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

M: Haven’t had one yet.  Makes me kind of nervous thinking of it!

S: What films or filmmakers inspire you?

M:  There are so many people that inspire me.  Inspiration comes from small films like “Dancer in the Dark” to bigger pictures like “Ciderhouse Rules.”  I just like human stories.

S: What made you decide to become a filmmaker?

M: The power to move people and to tell stories.  Wrap all that up into the geekyness of the process and you have a huge fan of filmmaking.  I hated being a reporter and cameraman for a small TV station.  I wanted to use the skills I had to tell more interesting stories instead of waiting for the police scanner to blurt out a shooting call or something bad. 

S: What is next for you? 

M: Pete Fromm and I are working on our next project:  a feature length film based on one of his novels.

S: What is next for the film?

M: Hopefully we’ll be seen in festivals through out the US, Canada and Europe.  There isn’t anything on the schedule right now.

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

M: Perseverance is critical.  Don’t let money, cast, crew or weather or forest fires get in your way.  Keep going and keep your vision in mind.  One way or another, you’ll find a way to make it happen.