Frederic Raynaud
Your project has entered in our festival. What is your project about?
« The Shadow of the Beast » evokes the vision of childhood, its curiosity, its freshness and its creativity. By following Louis, 9 years old, we dive into his vision of the world and his carelessness. The particularity of the project lies in its form. To enter Louis' world, we filmed the story in the first person... in other words, from a point of view. And to be in total immersion we made the choice to shoot in sequence shot... in the hope that the spectators forget the camera and melt into the skin of Louis. Thus, Louis' gaze is the only point of view in the story that highlights the confrontation between innocence, imagination and reality.
What are your ambitions with your project?
My ambitions with the shadow of the beast are directed towards the audience. I would like the spectators to take pleasure in seeing the film, to be transported into the universe of Louis and to vibrate emotionally.
Tell us something about your shooting? What pleasantly surprised you?
the energy of the team!
« The Shadow of the Beast » had to meet many technical challenges during the filming and the team was able to meet these challenges thanks to the talent, the will and the energy of each one. The second surprise was to see how much fun we had every moment of the shoot. it was difficult to shout: "It's a wrap ».
For what group of spectators is your film targeted?
Definitely for everyone and of all age.
Why should distributors buy your film?
The best reason would be because they like it and they think the viewers will enjoy this entertaining moment. Hopely
How would you specify your work? What characterizes your film?
it's a combo of many things.
the challenge of a period film set in the 1940s, the challenge of shooting from a point of view, the challenge of 13 sequences in 13 sequence shots. the image composition and the play of shadows that come to codify the film and finally, icing on the cake, the acting that makes us forget that we are a camera but a 9 year old child. And finally the emotional phases of each character that transport us even more in the plot.
Why did you decided to become a filmmaker?
I've always wanted to tell stories on screen, big and small. I've always wanted to direct, write, film... it's not the why that characterizes me but rather the when: when I finally felt ready in every way. In my training, in my knowledge, in my professional maturity, in my sensibilities... this is how my very first film "The shadow of the beast" was born. With the hope that many more will follow.
Who is your role model?
They numerous ! I am deeply influenced by the works of Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, Guy Ritchie, David Fincher... There are still many more.
Which movies are your favorites? Why?
INTERSTELLAR by Christopher Nolan
DUNE by Denis Villeneuve
SEVEN & Fight Club by David Fincher.
Once Upon a Time in America by Sergio Leone
SNATCH by Guy Ritchie
because I can watch them a thousand times and enjoy them every time. Because they transport me, make me dream... Because they are master pieces.
Where do you look for inspiration for your films?
Everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
often I notice the influence or the inspiration after the fact. It's a bit as if I were picking my ideas from a subconscious that stores and digests various arts, films, music, books...
Which topics interest you the most?
Emotional loss, truth, critique of society, twists and turns and mystery at large.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in your career?
I believe that has not happened yet.
What do you consider most important about filming?
passion.
With passion comes honesty, energy, authenticity, sharing. Passion, in all aspects of filming. From technique to artistry.
Which film technique of shooting do you consider the best?
impossible to answer that. Each technique serves the narrative and embraces the director's vision. Some could be magical on films and a disaster on others if they are misused.
How would you rate/What is your opinion about current filmmaking?
It's a mixed opinion. We are in an era that consumes films at every breakfast. Difficult to feed this ogre daily with wonders, in the mass there is necessarily a loss of quality. despite this, he always comes up with magnificent projects. not enough for my taste but I myself am an overconsumer so...
What can disappoint you in a movie?
lack of meaning, clichés, over acting, amateurism, free writing (Deus ex machina), inconsistency in character behavior
Who supports you in your film career?
everyone around me, my wife, my family, my friends... and sometimes myself.
What are the reactions to your film? (opinion of spectators, film critics, friends and family)
friends and family find the film fantastic. but they will always be friends and family... it's warm and pleasant to hear but we always have doubts about the authenticity of the congratulations.
as far as spectators are concerned "The Shadow of the Beast" is just beginning its festival life. I'm counting a little on you to let me know what the reactions are about the film.
Have you already visited any of the prestigious film festivals?
Nope.
What are your future plans in filmmaking carriere?
I am currently preparing a second short film, "on the other side" for shooting in the fall and a third short film, "NATAN" which will be shot in the high mountains this winter.
We are also in the development phase for a feature film and a TV series project.
« The Shadow of the Beast » evokes the vision of childhood, its curiosity, its freshness and its creativity. By following Louis, 9 years old, we dive into his vision of the world and his carelessness. The particularity of the project lies in its form. To enter Louis' world, we filmed the story in the first person... in other words, from a point of view. And to be in total immersion we made the choice to shoot in sequence shot... in the hope that the spectators forget the camera and melt into the skin of Louis. Thus, Louis' gaze is the only point of view in the story that highlights the confrontation between innocence, imagination and reality.
What are your ambitions with your project?
My ambitions with the shadow of the beast are directed towards the audience. I would like the spectators to take pleasure in seeing the film, to be transported into the universe of Louis and to vibrate emotionally.
Tell us something about your shooting? What pleasantly surprised you?
the energy of the team!
« The Shadow of the Beast » had to meet many technical challenges during the filming and the team was able to meet these challenges thanks to the talent, the will and the energy of each one. The second surprise was to see how much fun we had every moment of the shoot. it was difficult to shout: "It's a wrap ».
For what group of spectators is your film targeted?
Definitely for everyone and of all age.
Why should distributors buy your film?
The best reason would be because they like it and they think the viewers will enjoy this entertaining moment. Hopely
How would you specify your work? What characterizes your film?
it's a combo of many things.
the challenge of a period film set in the 1940s, the challenge of shooting from a point of view, the challenge of 13 sequences in 13 sequence shots. the image composition and the play of shadows that come to codify the film and finally, icing on the cake, the acting that makes us forget that we are a camera but a 9 year old child. And finally the emotional phases of each character that transport us even more in the plot.
Why did you decided to become a filmmaker?
I've always wanted to tell stories on screen, big and small. I've always wanted to direct, write, film... it's not the why that characterizes me but rather the when: when I finally felt ready in every way. In my training, in my knowledge, in my professional maturity, in my sensibilities... this is how my very first film "The shadow of the beast" was born. With the hope that many more will follow.
Who is your role model?
They numerous ! I am deeply influenced by the works of Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, Guy Ritchie, David Fincher... There are still many more.
Which movies are your favorites? Why?
INTERSTELLAR by Christopher Nolan
DUNE by Denis Villeneuve
SEVEN & Fight Club by David Fincher.
Once Upon a Time in America by Sergio Leone
SNATCH by Guy Ritchie
because I can watch them a thousand times and enjoy them every time. Because they transport me, make me dream... Because they are master pieces.
Where do you look for inspiration for your films?
Everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
often I notice the influence or the inspiration after the fact. It's a bit as if I were picking my ideas from a subconscious that stores and digests various arts, films, music, books...
Which topics interest you the most?
Emotional loss, truth, critique of society, twists and turns and mystery at large.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in your career?
I believe that has not happened yet.
What do you consider most important about filming?
passion.
With passion comes honesty, energy, authenticity, sharing. Passion, in all aspects of filming. From technique to artistry.
Which film technique of shooting do you consider the best?
impossible to answer that. Each technique serves the narrative and embraces the director's vision. Some could be magical on films and a disaster on others if they are misused.
How would you rate/What is your opinion about current filmmaking?
It's a mixed opinion. We are in an era that consumes films at every breakfast. Difficult to feed this ogre daily with wonders, in the mass there is necessarily a loss of quality. despite this, he always comes up with magnificent projects. not enough for my taste but I myself am an overconsumer so...
What can disappoint you in a movie?
lack of meaning, clichés, over acting, amateurism, free writing (Deus ex machina), inconsistency in character behavior
Who supports you in your film career?
everyone around me, my wife, my family, my friends... and sometimes myself.
What are the reactions to your film? (opinion of spectators, film critics, friends and family)
friends and family find the film fantastic. but they will always be friends and family... it's warm and pleasant to hear but we always have doubts about the authenticity of the congratulations.
as far as spectators are concerned "The Shadow of the Beast" is just beginning its festival life. I'm counting a little on you to let me know what the reactions are about the film.
Have you already visited any of the prestigious film festivals?
Nope.
What are your future plans in filmmaking carriere?
I am currently preparing a second short film, "on the other side" for shooting in the fall and a third short film, "NATAN" which will be shot in the high mountains this winter.
We are also in the development phase for a feature film and a TV series project.