SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2007

THE CARESS OF THE CREATURE
Director: Stewart McAlpine
USA, 2006
19 min / B&W
SYNOPSIS: What is lurking in the waters of Lake Habbagappee...and is it
gay?

Luis: Congratulations Stewart! I would like to ask you what your film is about?

Stewart McAlpine: I would say the theme to "The Caress of the Creature" is the folly of focusing on the unimportant or trivial. On days when I'm feeling
particularly self-important, I would say the film comments on the policies
of the current U.S. administration. It is ridiculous how the Bush administration has put energy and time into attacking gay marriage, not only because it seems so irrevelant to focus on someone's sexuality, but because so many significant problems are going on in the world that need our attention. Also, in the spirit of seeing the comedy in what is upsetting, it amuses me how hardcore conservatives make blanket statements that equate all liberal ideas (environmentalism, caring for the poor, etc) with homosexuality. During the past six years, I feel that the our country's current "black and white" reality is very reminiscent of 1950s B-movies, thus leading to the style of the film.

Luis: Who is your target audience?

Stewart McAlpine: I wouldn't say that there is a real "target audience." I think it's appealing to people of all ages, although it seems the 65+ crowd often don't
get the jokes. Hardcore conservatives may be offended by the film.

Luis: Please describe to us how your experience was shooting on location?

Stewart McAlpine: We shot the film around Tallahassee, Florida where the FSU Film School is located. The original Creature From the Black Lagoon inspired the idea behind the film. When I later discovered that many scenes from Black Lagoon were shot around Tallahassee, I became more excited about turning this idea into a reality while still attending film school. The Tallahassee community always welcomes the FSU student productions with open arms, and this film was no different.

Luis: Any Oscar predictions?

Stewart McAlpine: I'm a big fan of the Departed and Scorsese. I'm also pulling for Children of Men to be nominated (which is possibly my favorite film of the year). Of course, I think Sasha Baron Cohen should be nominated for Borat as well as most of the cast of Babel.

Luis: Who are your favorite filmmakers of all time?

Stewart McAlpine: I have many favorite filmmakers. Kubrick, Jarmusch, Spike Lee are just a few -- indiviualists who create personal works of artistic expression.

Luis: What does Slamdance mean to you?

Stewart McAlpine: Slamdance definitely celebrates independent/outside the mainstream film. I visited Slamdance in 2002 (without a film)-- and I was struck by the atmosphere surrounding the screenings and the apparent lack of pretense. I believe that Slamdance is a communal celebration of filmmaking regardless of industry status.

Luis: What is advice to filmmakers who what to be in Slamdance next year?

Stewart McAlpine: My advice to filmmakers who want to be in Slamdance is to keep making movies and not be discouraged. I entered a film five years ago that was not accepted to the festival. I'm learning and growing as a filmmaker with
every new film I direct, and I think that this growth is evident in this
latest short I directed.

Offial Website:

www.myspace.com/caressofthecreature

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SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2007

The Caress of the Creature

World Premiere
USA, 2006
19 min / B/W