MEET THE FILMMAKERS: ILANA FINOCCHIARO

Part 7 of The Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival IN CONVERSATION Series, hosted by Festival Director and Screen-Space Managing Editor, Simon Foster.

EXTRA(TERRESTRIAL) (Australia, Dir: Ilana Finocchiaro; 17.48 mins) In suburban Sydney, an alien tries to integrate himself into society by dealing exotic plants and edibles.

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT: "Extra(Terrestrial) deals with the themes of social isolation and survival, through the lens of an ostracised race of aliens. When I was younger I struggled in many ways, from having problems concentrating, to trouble socialising. I was always known as the 'weird kid', put aside by those not willing to get to know me. Living like that made me feel like I wouldn't find my place in this world. This conflict influenced the story and has driven me to create something worthwhile."

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?

ILANA: As a child I was highly influenced by my father to get onto the trend of watching the Star Wars Triology. My love for the sci-fi genre came into fruition when I saw Luke Skywalker interacting with R2D2 which reveals Leia's message.

 

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? 

ILANA: A friend of mine and I were having a casual conversation and somehow got onto the topic of wondering what the effects of human medication would have on aliens; would they have a reaction? We threw ideas back and forth and slowly created the concept for Extra(Terrestrial) by incorporating my favourite genres, sci-fi and comedy. [It became] a mockumentary that was inspired by both The Office and What We Do in the Shadows. The underlying message was to create characters that were not only relatable but also representative as 'outsiders', trying to be accepted in a society that is different from their own.

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?

ILANA: As someone who is very familiar with sci-fi and having a father who also loves sci-fi and studied chemistry, this helped with my resources of creating the world of Extra(Terrestrial) as his input and creativity helped add and bring the film to life.

 

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

ILANA: The best day I had with my film was arriving to set on the first day, seeing the set come to life, the actors getting into character and the family/talented team that we had brought together. All the memories of this set will be forever treasured and I'm very lucky and grateful to work with such a wonderful team.

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?

ILANA: My advice for young filmmakers is to follow your heart and never be worried to think and create ideas that are outside the box because no matter what we will find our following and those who will enjoy the content you put out there.