MEET THE FILMMAKERS: CARMA SHARON

Part 5 of The Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival IN CONVERSATION Series, hosted by Festival Director and Screen-Space Managing Editor, Simon Foster.

TIME TRAVEL 2 (Australia, Dir: Carma Sharon; 2.17 mins) T1 is still looking for Sarah Conour. Will he find her?

Screening in The AUSTRALIAN SHORT FILM SHOWCASE on Saturday November 21 from 10.30am at Actors Centre Australia. 

TICKET AND SESSION INFORMATION FOR THE 2020 SCIENCE FICTION FILM FESTIVAL

SIMON: What have been the science-fiction works – books, films, art of any kind – that have inspired your work and forged your love for the genre?

CARMA: Great question. When I was a kid I got to watch The Terminator with my brother on repeat. We were obsessed with that film! I think I watched T1 and T2 over 100 times. It was magical in every aspect of filmmaking and still is my favourite film of all time. But please don’t make me choose between them, not happening!  Other than that, I've consumed a lot of philosophy and psychology books and I love how sci-fi explores alternative existence and solutions. It stimulates my mind

 

SIMON: How did the original concept for your film take shape? What aspects of your film’s narrative and your protagonist’s journey were most important to you?

CARMA: My film is very short and very much inspired by the Terminator story. As for my protagonist’s journey...well, you will see for yourself [laughs] I can’t really say too much about it. My intention is to make people laugh and to create a fusion of sci-fi and comedy. 

SIMON: Does the ‘science-fiction’ genre have deep roots in the art and cultural history of your homeland? Were the resources, facilities and talent pool required to bring your film to life easily sourced?

CARMA: I live in Sydney and we love sci-fi over here, so it was very easily done. With zero budget [but] with lots of enthusiasm and great energy from the cast and crew. Adobe After Effects was very handy. too.

 

SIMON: Describe for us the very best day you had in the life cycle of your film…

CARMA: Well, writing the script was great fun, I gave myself a giggle. And of course that very same day that we shot it [laughs] or more like those 4 hours in Newtown. 

SIMON: Having guided your film from idea to completion, what lessons and advice would you offer a young science-fiction filmmaker about to embark on a similar journey?

CARMA: The story is more important than anything else. Make sure you  have a strong idea and script before you begin. Don’t rely on special effects and CGI to create a sci-fi film, it's not about that.