Susanne Swanson-Bernard is a 3 time published author, freelance writer and poet as well as an award winning photographer and activist. She occasionally works on film project, especially if it can help her advocacy causes or if it involves one of her passions. She currently lives in Boise, Idaho. Readers can learn more about Susanne at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=688596382&sk=info
Trevor Bernard is a filmmaker & poet. Residing in Boise, ID, Trevor has shot various short films as well as a cancer PSA & dozens of stop-motion segments. Drawn to all things artistic, Trevor spends his time drawing, sculpting, writing, playing guitar & of course...filming.
Aside from poetry, Bernard also writes reviews of filmmaking books for Michael Wiese Productions. Readers can learn more about trevor at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001513151604&sk=info
What is the current project you are working on?
Susanne: We are working on a documentary film hybrid about poetry and its effect on the human condition. We hope for this film to be very different from the standard/ordinary documentary, in the way it looks, and the way the information is delivered to viewers. This film will be entertaining to a broad audience and will be of social, historic and literary relevance. We hope to give the topic of poetry the rock star treatment! Additionally, and sadly, after we interviewed Scott Wannberg, our first poet, we learned that he passed away on August 19th, so we were asked if Beyond Baroque could view some of the footage we filmed (the last footage of Scott), during a send off celebration in Scott's honor on September 17th. We decided to do them one better and edit Scott's footage into a separate tribute DVD for his send off. We've actually finished the tribute film for Scott Wannberg and put it on the market just recently. It is titled "Meeting Mr. Mumps" after the title of one of Scott's first books. The short film is now available for purchase at Beyond Baroque in Venice, CA. Early reviews have been outstanding and we've had the film reviewed from as far away as the UK and France and by a poet and award winning filmmaker by the name of Apryl Skies who runs her own publishing house at www.EdgarAllenPoet.com. The project we're working on now that we've completed the tribute film to Scott Wannberg "Meeting Mr. Mumps", is our feature length Poetry Doc "Hold the Line". We've been stuck in pre production hell, but are ready to launch our Kickstarter trailer and our page for that and move ahead. Sadly on Nov. 18th, we learned of the loss of another great poetic voice Mike Taylor. I'm sure that right now he's giving Scott a great big man hug up in heaven where two great poetic voices will have been re-united. We'll miss him too.
Did you always want to be a filmmaker?
Trevor: Actually for awhile when I was younger, I was really into paleontology, this was after seeing Jurassic Park and the thought of hunting dinosaurs was very appealing. I soon discovered however, that it wasn't the films subject that I was in love with as much as it was the film itself.
What inspired you to become filmmaker?
Susanne: For me, it was the ability of using film, i.e. Public Service Announcements to help my causes, for Trevor it was just a natural extension to what he was already doing.
What is the best thing about being one?
Trevor: Having the ability to tell a story that can move the human heart.
What is the worst thing about being one?
Trevor: The seemingly never-ending search for enough money.
What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?
Susanne: I'm currently working on my 5th project.
Who is your favorite filmmaker?
Trevor: I draw inspiration from Martin Scorsese, Peter Jackson, Robert Rodriguez...the list goes on...
Susanne: For me I'd have to say Ridley Scott and I love the visuals Julie Taymor used in films such as "Frida".
Trevor: Indeed
How has your life changed since you became a filmmaker?
Trevor: I watch movies in a different way now, everything is a study of the art. Film fulfills me.
What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to make it in the movie business?
Susanne: I'll let Trevor field that question, I don't really have any designs on working steadily in film.
Trevor: Do lots of research...in all fields, know lighting, know cinematography and sound. This will make you a better team player and if you ever need to fly solo you will know what needs to be done. Never stop learning and don't loose sight of what brought you into filmmaking.
What do you like to do besides filmmaking?
Susanne: The arts in general are captivating, I love photography, some multi media art, but I also enjoy language arts, philosophy and travel, and I’m and activist for Ric O’Barry and his plight to save the dolphins and all whales, as well as the battle to save the American Mustang.
Trevor: There is stuff besides filmmaking?
Have you had any other jobs before you decided to become a filmmaker?
Susanne: I've had a variety of jobs that included a career in law-enforcement, a veterinary surgical technician and horse trainer, an author, child advocate and I'm a fine art photographer. My son is the real filmmaker.
Trevor: This and that...but a little more of this than that.
What are some of your favorite American films? Foreign films? Television shows?
Trevor: I love the classics, King Kong ect. most Tarantino films and a lot of independent stuff pretty much everything IFC comes out with. As for foreign...Pan's Labyrinth is a master piece. When it comes to TV, Dexter and nothin' but.
How would you describe your film education?
Trevor: A healthy mix of Guerrilla Filmmaking with an internship that followed a good basic art foundation, online courses and hands-on training mixed with a lot of book-learning.
How would you describe the film "scene" where you live?
Susanne: Surprisingly vibrant actually. Boise is quite progressive. Most people think that it is very rural and all about potatoes, but it is very hip and edgy and down-town is hopping with artists in all media.
How has social media changed the independent film industry?
Susanne: I think it’s like night and day. I mean with the internet truly anyone can become a star. One example would be the gent that replaced Steve Perry in Journey! He was discovered on You Tube.
What's your opinion on crowd-funding?
Susanne: Crowd funding seems to be the way to go. We've done a lot of research and with a film such as ours, that deals with poetry, it's a topic with which we could go for a grant via the National Endowment for the Arts, but by the time you become a 501 C 3 and pay that fee, sign up and write for a grant, it's too much time waisted. Time is money in this business as in all others. Crowd funding has been highly recommended to us. We'll try to use that method.
Trevor: Yeah, exactly...we will find out in about a month from now, but going into it...I feel it's a great way for the people to support projects they care about and sort of wrangle together the creative community.
What is the casting process like?
Susanne: It is different with a documentary, so rather than seeking a person that has good chemistry with the other “actors”, or acts well, we have a slant, a certain direction for this film. So we look for poets that have written pieces that speak to that slant of social relevance or the present human condition.
How does independent film differ from the mainstream?
Trevor: I feel pretty strongly that independent film has much more heart than what is typically seen in mainstream cinema. With indy films it's not about commercialism of selling a product. It's about the story, the character, the over all message. These things tend to get lost in big Hollywood productions.
You could go back in time and see any classic film being made. Which film would it be and why?
Trevor: 1933, King Kong. This is the film that set in stone my love of filmmaking and it was beautifully filmed.
What's your favorite movie quote and why?
Trevor: "People look stupid when they cry" - Rain Wilson in Super. I could not stop laughing.
What is your opinion on movie remakes and sequels?
Trevor: This really depends on the filmmaker. If it's an individual who can't come up with an original idea and wants to make a quick buck by copying work than that will translate to the film and it will suck. However, when you have someone that is very passionate about a particular picture then you know that work will be in good hands. The goal with remakes is to complement the original, the goal with sequels is to know when to stop.
What is your opinion on book to movie adaptions?
Susanne: I feel they must truly stay close to the written word.
Very cool! Wish I had a taste of the tropics!
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