E17 • Sharing Work, Seizing Opportunities • FREDDY MACDONALD, dir. of ‘Sew Torn’ at the Locarno Film Festival following SXSW

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle

Chapters
0:31
Past Present Feature, Hosted by Marcus Mizelle
0:49
Introducing Filmmaker Freddy Macdonald
1:35
Originality From Inspiration
3:41
Origin of Freddy Macdonald and "Sew Torn"
5:39
Switzerland + Shooting Outside of LA
9:25
The Importance of Making and Sending Out Work... to Joel Coen
11:53
2 Freds, Just Typin' Away
14:10
"Run Lola Run" dir. by Tom Twyker
15:28
"No Country for Old Men" dir. by the Cohen Brothers
16:37
The Benefits of Technological Advancements
19:17
Challenges and Creativity in Low-Budget Movie Production
22:50
The Magic of Practical Effects in Filmmaking
24:37
The Importance of Making a Short Film Before a Feature
28:57
The Power of Champions in the Film Industry
30:16
The Vulnerability of Sharing One's Work + Working With Family
31:24
Post-Production + Embracing Feedback
36:32
Premiering at SXSW + Locarno Film Festival
38:07
Q&A's
40:49
Seizing Opportunities and Sending Out Work
Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle
E17 • Sharing Work, Seizing Opportunities • FREDDY MACDONALD, dir. of ‘Sew Torn’ at the Locarno Film Festival following SXSW
Aug 20, 2024 Season 1 Episode 17
Marcus Mizelle

Marcus speaks with Freddy Macdonald about his debut feature film 'Sew Torn', just screened at Locarno, following a World premiere at South by Southwest. Drawing inspiration from the 1998 German film ‘Run Lola Run’ as well as ‘No Country For Old Men’ (2007), Freddy speaks on the great fortune of sitting down with one of the directors of the latter film - Joel Cohen - who encouraged him to keep going, and to turn his short into a feature.

The conversation also touches on Freddy’s experience filming in Switzerland, making a movie with his dad, unconventional shooting methods and practical effects, and the value of creating a short film first that can lead the way to becoming a feature film later.

Other topics include the importance of managing expectations, the role of champions in the industry, and the vulnerability of sharing one's work.

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Introducing the Past Present Feature Film Festival, a new showcase celebrating cinematic storytelling across time. From bold proof of concept shorts to stand out new films lighting up the circuit, to overlooked features that deserve another look. 

Sponsored by the Past Present Feature podcast and Leica Camera. Submit now at filmfreeway.com/PastPresentFeature


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The Past Present Feature Film Festival - Nov. 20-22, 2026 in Hollywood, CA - Submit at filmfreeway.com/PastPresentFeature