5Q's w/Andrew Essig "Out of the Bag: Revisiting the Moreau Subjects" Director

#1: Can you describe your movie and why somebody should see it in less than 140 characters?

We cover an investigation into a company accused of animal cruelty, but the line between animal and human is muddled.

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

Though presented as an investigative report, this is actually a study into the relationship between animals/humans, sentience, and the human condition. The title, if it's not clear, is an allusion to HG Wells' THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU.

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

I am a director from Cincinnati, Ohio. My college thesis at Ohio University was two-fold: a short-film adaptation of TC Boyle's THE NEW MOON PARTY, and a script for an original science-fiction pilot set during an alternate WWI. Now in LA, I've been directing short films both independently and as a contractor through a small production studio: JIG Reel Studios. I am also shopping pilot and feature scripts, seeking representation.

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

What I wanted to do with this project was figure out how to hide high-concept ideas in simple, dialogue-focused scenes. It's a narrow focus, but one I wanted to work on strengthening as a writer/director. My creative partner kept me focused on this goal through production and I think it ultimately helped me find an engaging approach to dialogue, pacing, and the introduction of new and unusual ideas.

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

For years, there was nothing else planned for this short. Just let it run its course at fests. As mentioned above, it's more an experiment than anything else. It was only in the last few days, I began breaking down a feature concept, showcasing the same themes but with a more traditional plot arc. I honestly hadn't given this feature any thought until I began answering this very questionnaire. Since it's still very fresh, we'll see what lies in the future for this idea!