Director Steve Anthopoulos stops by on Close-Up Culture to chat about his short film, Voice Activated.
The short film follows Trent, a florist who is passionate about his work, his craft and his customers. His bouquets are beautiful, and he will go to great lengths to transport them to his clients’ weddings and special occasions. Trent also struggles with a stutter, which sometimes makes running his business difficult.
What inspired the creation of this short? Are there any personal ties?
The inspiration came from my ill-fated attempts at talking to Siri, as someone who stutters. She’d misinterpret me or interrupt me. And although it was frustrating it was also pretty funny. I got the sense that she was annoyed at me, and it felt like the setup of a buddy comedy.
Did anything change to the storyline during the shooting process?
The storyline changed a lot during the writing process but during the shoot it didn’t change at all, we’d done a lot of work on the script, the storyboard, the animatic, so we were very much set.
Is there a reason for the career choice of a florist for Trent? Were there any other career ideas for him?
The nice thing about the flowers is that they’re constantly present in the background, a reminder of Trent’s task, the ticking clock, and the delicate nature of what he’s transporting. I wanted it to feel almost like they were looming over him. There’s also an irony that something so innocuous and aesthetic is causing him so much grief. And they’re also pretty to look at!
The film so delicately balances humour and empathy towards Trent. You find yourself laughing at his misfortunes, but not in a malicious way. How difficult was it to write a storyline that wouldn’t get mistaken for being a mockery of stuttering?
I love the balancing act of walking this line. I didn’t want to make something that felt condescending. Sometimes stuttering can feel ironic, funny or ridiculous and you can’t tell the truth without real human messiness and nuance. I also think humour allows us to really empathise with a character and sit in their shoes.
What is the main takeaway you want the audience to get from the film?
The film is really about acceptance and the power of letting go. It’s a journey I’ve been on as someone who stutters – accepting my stutter has made me a better communicator.
What are your ambitions for this short film?
I wanted to make something that could be a calling card, something that summed up the type of storytelling and tone I love.
Have you got any other projects that you’re working on at the moment?
I’m working on a feature film inspired by voice activated and a few other film/TV projects.
Where can people follow your work?
You can follow my Instagram: @stylianosanthopoulos or website: steveanthopoulos.com