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Title: The Hedgehog
Runtime: 7 min
Country: UK
Director: Chris Lee & Paul Storrie
Placement: Best Short Film + Best Director
Competition: June, 2015
Synopsis: A lone boy wanders the open landscape of a suburban park. Dressed as his favourite video game hero, he daydreams for adventure but the reality of his uneventful world disappoints him. He follows a strangely familiar man to an old house where he stumbles upon a peculiar truth to his lonely existence.
OR: What was the inspiration for your film?
PS: The idea grew gradually over a long period of time. It all started with the intriguing visual of a boy dressed in a blue lycra Sonic costume, who longed to be Sonic the Hedgehog. After researching the effects of video game obsession, the story and concept grew from there. We were also very keen to illustrate a feeling of isolation that adolescent kids can experience growing up in the suburbs.
OR: When did you conceive the idea for your film and how long did it take before it was realized?
PS: It’s hard to say an exact amount of time spent on the project as we progressed it gradually when we could. Overall, it was a couple of years between the idea coming about and the film being completed. It’s a very long and challenging process turning an idea into a finished film, especially on minimal budget, but it’s 100% worth it when you witness your vision come to life.
OR: What was the most challenging aspect of working in a short film format?
PS: The most challenging aspect was creating a fulfilling story within the 5-8 minute range. It’s very easy to over-complicate the story. Getting that balance of simplicity with deeper context isn’t easy.
OR: What was the most challenging aspect of your production?
PS: There were a number of things that challenged the production. The weather being one, and knowing that if we couldn’t film on the 2 days we had booked, then the production would be dead in the water. Shooting in England, that is always a concern. Besides that, getting everything shot in the time we had was tough, but all of the crew worked hard and everything came together in the end.
OR: Do you have any advice for first-time filmmakers?
PS: The best thing to do is just get out there and create. Work with the limitations you have and do what you can to work around them. Beg, borrow and steal. The main thing is to learn by doing. Easier said than done but anything is possible.