Interview with filmaking duo James Leggett & Kole Mahoney
Welcome James Leggett & Kole Mahoney, we are very excited to have you on the AIMAFF couch today to discuss about your work. Who are Kole and James and how did the passion for filmmaking start ?
The (J) refers to when James Leggett answers,
and the (K) when Kole Mahoney answers.
(J): Kole and I have been watching movies together as long as we’ve been friends, living across the street from one another. We’ve separately worked on developing our screenwriting skills as well as taken some filmmaking courses. We’re now at an age where we felt ready to give it a try and collaborate on a film as writers and directors.
(K): Yeah, this has been a long time coming - we just didn't know where to start.
Can you tell us about your previous work?
(J): I took a course at the School of Visual Arts in New York and our final project was to make a short film. I knew immediately I wanted Kole to be a part of this project and we made the decision to film it in his apartment in Brooklyn with some actors and fellow classmates. It’s a single location short called “Expiration Date” about a couple whose relationship is not what it seems at first. Similar to “It Speaks” it’s a story that explores relationships with some sci-fi undertones. It was a great experience that opened our eyes to the challenges of filmmaking as well as the possibilities.
CONVERSATION ABOUT: ‘‘IT SPEAKS’’
What would you describe as your directing identity style?
(K): The list of people and films that have inspired me are about a mile long - but right now, my biggest influence is Steve McQueen. His career is pretty damn close to what I hope to accomplish as a filmmaker. Beyond him, describing my identity style? I just want to tell stories that are complex and multidimensional. Too much of what I've seen in theaters recently has these simple characters with one dilemma to solve, and we barely get to know them. I want to be an antithesis to that.
Talk to us about your film - how was it created and what inspired it?
(K): I was hosting a pregame for my friend's birthday one night and for whatever reason couldn't connect to my bluetooth speaker. The notification on my phone kept suggesting that someone else was connected, but none of the guests, nor myself, were. It wound up playing music on its own for the rest of the night (this is apparently a default setting for whenever it's idle for too long), but I knew I wanted to build a story around this!
Does the scenario have an importance to you on a personal level ?
(J): Having lived through the pandemic and being quarantined with roommates, we both felt this was a relatable scenario that is pushed to its extreme potential. Like a lot of people, the pandemic for us was filled with stress, anxiety and uncertainty. Not to mention boredom! We wanted to explore how that mental state reaches its breaking point with three friends, especially when fears and accusations come into play to turn everyone against each other. As this is still fresh in our minds, we felt it was a perfect time to show that in a film.
How was the style, genre and atmosphere selected ?
(K): We wanted to find a balance between realism and stylized Sci-Fi like The Twilight Zone, Coherence, or Jordan Peele's movies. A lot of the setting and scenario in "It Speaks!" is meant to be relatable, but we still had to shake that up with something unpredictable.
FUTURE WORK AND CLOSING LETTER
What is the target audience of your project ?
(J): Our movie has a sci-fi horror element to it which should appeal to fans of that genre. Anyone who likes post-apocalyptic end of the world scenarios should find something to enjoy here. But it’s also a story about friends hanging out and having fun until a little too much quality time starts to backfire. Anyone with roommates who may or may not have driven each other crazy at times may find themselves identifying with the characters and situations. Hopefully it doesn’t end the same way for them!
What is the message the audience should convey leaving the screening of your film ?
(K): I don't think that every film necessarily has (or needs) a message. We just wanted to create something original, suspenseful, and intense - given that is our debut as a production duo. So long as people enjoy themselves while watching "It Speaks!", we'll be happy.
Any future projects incoming ? Along with personal aspirations.
(J): One of our next projects is a script I wrote called “Just Relax.” It’s about a girl enjoying a Friday night to herself who gets some unexpected visitors.
No matter what, I want to collaborate and make movies with talented people who are as passionate about filmmaking as Kole and I. Even when it is hard work and obstacles inevitably appear, we want to make sure we’re having fun and making the movies we want to make.
(K): I'm working on my feature debut, "WONDERLAND". It's about an illegal immigrant in New York City who gets herself involved with some dangerous people.
That was the interview with our beloved creators James Leggett & Kole Mahoney. Our community is rising everyday, new talented filmakers and screenwriters get onboard. Be sure to check the rest of our interviews and why not schedule one for yourself to promote your work. To publish an interview simply submit on the INTERVIEW OF YOUR FILM category on our Filmfreeway page.
