Interview with director Ian Volner
Welcome Mr Volner, we are very excited to have you today and discuss about your work. Who is Ian Volner and how did the passion for filmmaking start ?
I am a fairly new filmmaker based out of the US, I’ve worked in all parts of production and my current focuses are in directing, writing and editing. My passion began years before I ever dreamed of writing and directing my own work, as a child I was privileged to have a parent with a deep appreciation for film who screened for me a variety of films that sparked my imagination. From then on, I knew I wanted to create my own stories. Originally they began as serialized hand-drawn comics, short stories and animations I’d share with friends but the idea of doing so as a lucrative income seemed alien, impossible. However in 2013, everything changed. My father was in a near fatal accident that changed his, and my, life forever. At that time I anticipated that I’d soon be his main caregiver and needed to find a way to cover his rising medical expenses. A series of fateful encounters later, I decided to take a chance on a high stakes, high reward gamble and traded in my STEM major for film. Despite losing my father in 2019, I still look back at this moment as the best decision of my life.
Talk to us about your short film. What inspired it ?
The Sickness is a deeply personal film, born from the burning need to create. At the start of 2022 I was ramping up to direct another short film I’d written titled Tropical Breezes, however a series of events - both local and global - postponed the production. Frustrated by the freeze, I reached out to one of my best friends and star of The Sickness, Jake Taylor, with a desperate plea: “Hey, if I write something, ANYTHING, and we just run and gun shoot it, would you be down?” And without hesitation, he agreed 100%. From then on, I began drafting and dipping my pen in the ink of my frustration. Its where the title comes from, The Sickness is not referencing anything in the film itself, especially not the characters actions or history. It’s the name of this expression, like a fever or some illness that must be exorcised from my body. This short is my sickness, my need to create, my satisfaction at creating something. I think all artists experience “the sickness” (or rather, whatever they wish to call it) in one way or another. I hope anyone who watches this film can sense my anxiety and relief and hopefully choose to express their own.
CONVERSATION ABOUT: The Sickness
What was your main goal with this project ? The message you want to convey.
I like to think of The Sickness more like a meal at a boutique restaurant and myself the proud chef delivering it to your table. It’s meant to be something that at any level, the audience can choose to grapple or gawk at it. The truth of the film, by design, is to be what you choose to make of it. I’d be remised on that point if I didn’t mention how nervous I was to pitch this script to Jake, my dear friend of nearly 17 years. I was petrified but assured him that if anything was deemed too extreme that we’d talk through it and, at his request, tone it down. However, Jake was fearless. He cleared the script with zero revision; putting his trust in me, as both the director and editor, to protect his performance and his dignity. The Sickness is like that, its something that’s bold and fearless with its intention that stares directly into you, impeding you from looking away.
Talk to us about our main character. Who is he and what is he rehearsing for ?
The actor in The Sickness is an analog for everyone. Whether you’re an actor, a doctor, a student, a man, a woman, transgender, ANYONE~! You’ve been in his position before, on the cusp of destiny with only yourself to rely on. Every. Single. Moment has lead to this and everything that can go wrong, you fear, will. The pressure to deliver is a gravity ten times Earth’s and your patience is thinner than the width of a hair. Will it be enough? Will you survive? Triumph is kissing your fingertips and because it is, you’re even more agitated that it floats out of reach and wont just rest in your palm. The Actor knows this pain, because you, because I know this pain. We all have our ghosts, our rituals, our assurances but at the end of the day the present and our ability, or lack their of, to face it is what truly defines us.
What would you describe as your directing identity style ?
I’d describe my directing identity style, like someone who’s witnessed something incredible and always fails to describe the myth perfectly. I’m inspired by auteurs like Spike Jonze, Barry Jenkins, Céline Sciamma, Bong Joon Ho, Tatsuki Fujimoto and Wim Wenders among a pantheon of others I worship. When a film sets my soul on fire, I can’t do anything but sing its praises til the tears welling up in my eyes choke me. It’s a feeling I can only describe as a religious experience. Nothing I’ve ever felt comes close to this feeling of pure elation. I feel like every time I write, I’m trying to imprint that euphoria on my audience and each time I get close, but still haven’t felt like I’ve achieved it quite yet. Will I ever? I doubt it and damned if I do, because I cannot find myself doing anything else for the rest of my life. Every heart song, every gasp, every mind blowing shot, every fearless tale… I want to experience them all and my only hope is that one day I can inspire someone to reflect deeply within themselves through my work in the same way.
Talk to us about the use of light and mirrors, is there any hidden symbolism in your work ?
I’m an amateur sleuth when it comes to subtext in film. While watching, often I feel like I’m hearing the provocative whispers from the artists behind the silver screen. They suggest elements and themes through the dialogue, the business or the shot compositions, like a seductive secret. Riddles and puzzles for us, the audience, to solve. I know they do it, because I do it too. I learned from the best! The answers though, elusive and serpentine, may completely elude us for a multitude of reasons outside of our control, as our experiences provide our tools . In The Sickness, there are several elements of subtext that I’ve layered in for you to discover. I’m glad to see you picked up on the use of mirrors throughout.. I wonder if perhaps that might have to do with something I’ve already answered in this interview? Perhaps… No… Well, I’ll leave that for you to interpret.
What were the acting instructions and were there any difficulties on set ?
Often times in filmmaking there are sacrifices made, like to some blood thirsty deity, but I’m happy to report everything that is on the page, made it not only in front of the lens, but on the page as well. Exactly as intended. Even things like the freeway shot, which was a death defying guerrilla moment, came out exactly as I visualized it. The only issue we had on-set was that despite our best efforts, covid struck. Miraculously only my cinematographer, my makeup artist, producer and myself (despite being in close quarters with the actors and other crew) were the only ones to get mauled by the virus. Luckily the first three made it through relatively unscathed, myself on the other hand… I was in a very bad way. Regardless I recovered and we eventually captured the remaining shots we needed, wrapping the film in a wonderful split seven days.
FUTURE WORK AND CLOSING LETTER
What is the target audience of your project ?
The target audience for The Sickness is a hard case to pin down. I’m a firm believer of the “make films you’d want to see” principle so I did just that. I’d like to think that its for those who enjoy horror films, like myself, but I find that my love of horror is outside of the normal lane so perhaps not them. Perhaps its for the people who enjoy Schadenfreude? There’s a voyeuristic element to the whole film and Lord knows, when given the chance, who’s going to resist something juicy like that? Not everyone will admit it, but secretly they find the idea tantalizing. I guess I’m suggesting that I’m like that too, and if it makes you feel better - I’ll admit it first so you can feel free to do it too. Weirdos like you, weirdos like me.
Any upcoming projects in the near future ?
Yes! Plenty! Wow actually, I’m currently in the funding phase for my next short film Modern Living. We have an incredible script, cast and location already we just need that cash! Aside from that I’ve written a horror feature titled The Indifferent Stars Above that I’d love to direct and currently in the process of writing another Morning Glory Must Die. I’d also love nothing more than to get Tropical Breezes out of my head and onto the screen, hopefully sooner than later! I’ve been incredibly lucky along my journey so far, I’ve made lifelong friends and have had opportunities to work on unbelievable projects. I have incredible support from friends and family alike and I’m over the moon with The Sickness and its reception. Thank you giving me this opportunity to share with you all, I’m truly grateful.
That was the interview with our beloved creator Ian Volner. 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.
