5Q's w/Barney Cokeliss "Night Dancing" Director

#1 Can you describe your movie and why somebody should see it in less than 280 characters?

It’s an unusual, nocturnal mixture of narrative and dance that I hope people will find both beautiful and moving.

#2 What do you want the Borrego Springs Film Festival audience to know about your film that isn’t obvious from its title?

I hope ‘Night Dancing’ will deliver even for people who know nothing about the film going in. I always think that’s the best way to see a film - with no idea what’s about to appear on screen.

#3 What is your movie making background? Tell us about yourself.

I’ve directed several shorts, including a 3D Stereoscopic piece called ‘The Foundling’ and a 2minute comedy called ‘Tea’, which played at Sundance.

I’ve also made a lot of tv commercials, shooting all over the world for clients including VW, Lexus, Budweiser, Liberty Mutual, NHTSA and many others.

#4 What was the biggest lesson learned in getting your film made?

‘Night Dancing’ was made entirely independently - we didn’t ask anyone’s permission, we just went and did it, seizing an opportunity that came up to use some studio space in Bucharest and a crew I’d worked with many times on spots.

So the biggest is lesson is just to do it - always do it!

#5 What does the future hold for your film and you?

‘Night Dancing’ is nearing the end of a very gratifying and award-winning festival run, so the next step for it will be to have some online distribution.

I also have ideas about how to expand it into a longer piece. And I’ve just completed a first draft of a feature script - an adaptation of a steampunk novel for some producers in London.