Duane Hansen Fernadez’s A Place to Fall Down, tells the story of the main character, Jose grappling with overwhelming loneliness and grief after a devastating loss. To learn more about A Place to Fall Down, check out Duane’s responses to our questions to our “5 Questions With” series below!
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Were there any challenges in making this project?
The only real challenge to this project was time. We didn’t have a big budget, so we had to do a lot with a little. This meant we had one day to shoot the film – cameras were up at 8:30am and we wrapped at 5:45pm. Nine hours and fifteen minutes to knock out 11 pages. We were able to overcome the challenge because we had an incredibly talented cast and crew.
I have a very fluid workflow that allows us to move efficiently through production, so while I believed on paper we could shoot this in one day, I knew it would absolutely require an experienced actor with immense talent. As I started working on who could bring Jose to life and perform under such tight circumstances – there was one name that kept coming to the top, and I knew deep down he was the only actor in the world that could pull this off: Clifton Collins Jr.
Without giving away too much of the story, our character Jose has a very complex journey, and it needed to be performed with a very delicate balance of nuance and subtlety. The actor needed to contain these emotions and allow them to sit, simmer and build throughout the story – the glance of an eye needed to speak more volumes than a monologue. This precision, this ability to visibly unfold the pain of the past… there was only one person that could do this. Clifton Collins Jr. is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors of our generation, and his name is already etched up there with the greatest of all time.
I’ll be forever grateful that Clifton took my call, that he read the script and believed in me. His performance was nothing short of extraordinary.
Is there any type of message or emotion that you hope the viewer takes away from watching this film?
I hope anyone who watches the film feels a little less alone in this world. I hope they understand that to heal you have to do the work – even when it hurts. And that they remember there is magic out there, you just have to look for it.
How does it feel to be able to screen the film at HollyShorts?
I’m so thankful to Daniel Sol, Thierry Dumont and the whole team at HollyShorts for recognizing the commitment, dedication and effort of the cast and crew.
As a native Angeleno, born and raised in Hollywood – to have our world premier at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre is a dream come true. I saw my first film there when I was four years old; it was Bambi and, and it was deeply traumatic. Wait – was that my first experience with grief?! I think we’re really connecting some dots here…
A quick Google tells me TCL Chinese Theatre is exactly 2.6 miles from my childhood home. Is there a contest for who grew up closest to the festival?
What inspired you to start making films?
I’ve always been drawn to expressing myself through pictures and fine art – as a child it was often how I communicated. Filmmaking is a natural evolution of my love of photography, and as I reflect on my experiences, I’ve discovered it’s the outlet in which I process the world. But most importantly, it’s a form of survival to me.
Photography is one the greatest artistic mediums ever; the ability to pull people into a single photograph and convey a world of emotions by framing and exposing it a certain way is absolutely magical. When I began shifting from photographer to filmmaker, I found the opportunity to use a thousand frames to tell a story so freeing.
I remember reading somewhere that there are around 170,000 frames in a feature film. As a photographer I will never not be in awe of that.
While the power of story initially pulled me into filmmaking, I’m now enthralled by the collaboration element of it – it’s easily the greatest thing I have ever achieved. To start with an idea, then assemble a team of the most creatively brilliant minds to help build the world, is unbelievably rewarding. Then, to see that idea become a part of other people’s story, is something I will cherish forever.
What’s on the horizon for you?
I just finished a script for a feature length paranormal thriller. We’re currently putting that film together as we speak, and we’re so excited to bring it to life.
Thank you so much, Duane, for sharing your responses! Click here to get tickets for the 20th Annual Hollyshorts Film Festival, running from August 9th to August 17th at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres.
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