Q&A with Filmmaker Mark Reyes

Sep 21

Mark Reyes is a New York City-based filmmaker whose work blends surrealism and mixed media to create bold, genre-defying stories. His films have screened at festivals worldwide, including Fantasia, Fantaspoa, FilmQuest, Boston Underground Film Festival, Brooklyn Film Festival, and Bushwick Film Festival. His short The Nightwalker earned the 3rd Place Audience Award at Fantasia, cementing his reputation as a rising voice in independent cinema. Reyes continues to explore experimental approaches to narrative and visual storytelling, pushing boundaries in contemporary genre filmmaking.

This Q&A is part of the Bushwick Film Fest Filmmaker Q&A series

What inspired you to create this film, and how did the initial idea come to you?

About 2 years ago I had been diagnosed with cancer, which is a situation that lies at the peak of uncertainty. From this experience I took a look at my life and realized I was treating it like a puzzle that needs to be solved instead of a thing that is meant to be enjoyed. No one knows what is going on and that is okay, I am just here to enjoy making cool stuff and spending time with my loved ones. There is no way out, I am already free.

Why does this story need to be told now?

We live in a very confusing time. We are so overstimulated with conflicting stories and ideologies in the modern day. People are very caught up int trying to force their or other peoples lives in a direction, when I believe the real purpose is to just enjoy the ride.

Describe who you want this film to reach.

I want this film to reach people like me who are feeling overwhelmed by everything going on as a reminder that they should live their life freely and enjoy the complex strange ride we are all on.

What do you hope audiences will take away from watching your film?

Be where you are!!!

How do you want people to feel after they see your film?

Relieved and empowered by the fact that the answers are inside of you!

What was the biggest inspiration behind this film?

A lot of surrealist art work. Trying to capture that dreamy childhood nostalgic feeling like you are up later than your supposed to be or you're looking for your mom at the mall.

What was your favorite part of making your film? Memories from the process?

I was recovering from major surgery and not working while making this film. I have a lot of fond memories just being at my desk in my pajamas working on the film all day, just drinking coffee and having fun with it all day. It felt like I was a kid doing arts and crafts!

What was a big challenge you faced while making this film?

I do everything solo! I love every second of it but between the creation of the film and submitting/attending festivals it is definitely a lot of work for one person.

Tell us an anecdote about casting or working with your actors.

Peter the faceless man has been my best friend and in almost every project I have ever done since I was 14. He most of the time doesn't even know what we are doing, I just put him in a costume and give him a loose idea of what to do and he kills it every time. This time, I said "think old infomercial" and he did that quick intro bit with these amazing animated motions perfectly on the first try.

Can you tell us about the central themes of your film? What message or emotion did you hope to convey?

I want to capture a feeling of lost, endless wandering, confusion, and frustration trying to solve a puzzle with no answer.

Were there any films or directors that influenced your approach to this project?

I watch a lot of animation. Patrick McHale from Over The Garden Wall, Pendalton Ward from Adventure time, Alex Hirsch from Gravity Falls. I love all those guys use of creative fun tales that still convey deep meaningful messages.

What inspired you to pursue a career in filmmaking?

I just liked playing with action figures as a kid. Being able to capture my imagination and use it to spread messages I think people should hear is a lot of fun for me.

Why is filmmaking important to you? Why is it important to the world?

No one likes to be lectured. I think if you can entertain someone, and then subtly slide some profound wisdom into that entertainment, you can really speak to people in a way that is digestible and communicative.

What role does technology play in your filmmaking process, and how has it evolved over the years?

I use a lot of new technologies in my work. I spend a lot of time at my editing station. As technology advances, I am just able to be capable of more by myself and not have to hire people that I can't afford to hire anyway. I love learning and implementing new skills, and technology just makes the gap of learning smaller every year.

What is something that all filmmakers should keep in mind in order to become better cinematic storytellers?

Don't focus on making stuff that's good, just focus on making stuff. To do it poorly is better than not doing it at all. Practice, practice, practice.

Films are lasting artistic legacies; what do you want yours to say?

Make cool shit. It's fun, spiritually rewarding, and anyone can do it if you put the time and energy in

If you weren’t a filmmaker, what would you be doing?

I teach martial arts as a day job. My martial arts fuels my filmmaking, my filmmaking fuels my martial arts. I need them both for different reasons, I think I would be lost if I only had one and not the other.

How do you approach storytelling in your films? What’s your process for developing a script or concept?

It depends. I usually just have a light idea or concept and then just kinda start going for it. I start making a prop, or a digital scene, or collect reference material. Anything to get the ball rolling. Making stuff is all about momentum to me, so I try to just jump right in right away and figure it out as I go along.

What’s your history with the Bushwick Film Festival?

It was recommended to me by a professor at Pratt Institute, where I went to film school.

Can you talk about the festival experience? How does it feel to have your film selected?

It is a huge honor. My family has been in Brooklyn for generations, so to have my work shown in such a prestigious festival in our home is really a huge honor. I love New York, it raised me so to be apart of the artistic lineage of this city is so cool to me.

How do you feel about your film being screened in front of a festival audience?

It is always so cool to see it on the big screen. A lot of stuff goes straight to online these days, so to see it in a theater always makes it feel like you made something special that isn't just a YouTube video or instagram post.

What’s the last film you watched?

Smurfs (it was terrible sorry)

What’s the last book you read?

The Kybalion

One thing people don’t know about me is _____.

I am a second degree black belt

Early bird or night owl?

unfortunately night owl I really wish I was a morning person but I don't think it is in the cards for me

What three things do you always have in your refrigerator?

protein bars, meat balls, spinach