I have a great short film to watch today called Steel cut oatswith a pulpy stop-motion/live-action hybrid retelling of the classic Golem folktale.
In this version of the story, “a washed-up boxer builds a giant monster out of oatmeal to protect himself from the mobsters who betrayed him!”
The film comes from writer and director Harry Chaskin. This short film is shared in collaboration with the FilmQuest Film Festival, where we are looking to showcase some of the radical independent genre films and shorts that filmmakers are creating.
I also included an interview with the director which you can read below!
Without spoilers, tell us what your film is about, its characters and its themes. Is this a proof of concept or a standalone story?
We open a diner as former featherweight champion “Miracle Kid” Carraway tells his life story to a sympathetic waitress: how he got to the top, how the crowd broke his leg for refusing to take a dive, and how he created a nuclear energy. oatmeal monster to protect himself.
What he didn’t count on was raising the creature like a son. They form a strong father-son bond and Carraway ends up teaching “Oats” how to fight, which culminates in a title match against a steam robot owned by the mobster who destroyed Carraway’s career. Who will win the battle and at what cost?
Thematically, the film draws inspiration from Jewish folklore, film noir, 1950s monster movies, and nuclear paranoia. It is mainly inspired by the legend of the Golem, a creature built from clay and brought to life through a ritual.
From there, he asks the questions: What if the creator loved his Golem and raised him as a son? How does the idea of legacy impact self-expression? Can we avoid molding our children to follow in our footsteps, intentionally or unintentionally?
Aesthetically, the film combines live action with traditional techniques such as stop-motion animation, matte painting, miniatures and hand-drawn optical effects to create a memorable aesthetic that looks to the future while paying homage to the past.
What was the inspiration for your film? How did the idea come to you?
Honestly, years ago I was grocery shopping and came across a box of steel cut oats. I had a fleeting idea that it sounded like an “old time” boxing nickname, and the idea grew from there.
Tell us about yourself. What is your background? How long have you been a director?
I have worked as a director, writer and animator for the last 15 years. I have been fortunate to work on films, television programs and commercials.
What inspires you to work in genre cinema and tell these types of stories?
I’ve always been obsessed with world-building, transporting audiences to strange and unique places. I also think the genre is excellent for tackling heavier themes and topics without becoming didactic.
What was your favorite part of the filmmaking process for this project?
Working with the cast and crew. Much of my career has been spent alone animating behind dark curtains, so collaborating with this incredible team and seeing the individual creativity each person brought to the project was incredibly inspiring.
What are you most proud of about this film?
The way we combined stop-motion with live action. From the beginning, I wanted to shoot it as a live action film and not be hampered by the logistics of composing our animated characters. The idea was to be free with camera movement and lighting, and to push the envelope in terms of how stop-motion can be integrated cinematically.
What is a favorite story or moment from the making of the film that you would like to share?
We had so much leftover oatmeal that I ended up donating several bags to a local farm. Seeing the horses have fun was truly a wonderful experience!
What was the most challenging moment or experience you had while making your film?
By far, our biggest ticket budget item was the rental of the boxing ring, and on the day we were supposed to shoot, unfortunately it didn’t arrive on time. So I had to throw out the shot list and schedule and completely improvise for a good 6 hours while we waited for it to arrive. Luckily our amazing team rose to the occasion and we were able to finish on time and get everything we needed.
If so, how did your film change or differ from the original concept during pre-production, production, and/or post-production? How has it changed the way you approach future projects?
Since so much of the film was animated, we had to storyboard and plan extensively, so the final film is pretty darn close to what we set out to make. There were definitely some happy accidents on the live set, but we stayed very close to what was originally planned overall. If anything, this just incentivized me to continue planning carefully. Even if you have to throw your plan out the window, it’s always best to have a place to start.
Who were some of your collaborators and actors in the film? How did you start working together?
Most of the cast are close friends of the UCB Theatre, who I have gotten to know over the years spending there and attending shows. I met Rachel Bloom when we worked together on Robot Chicken, and a few others were cast by audition. I sought out Brian George through a producer friend after being a fan of his as a character actor for years and he was kind enough to participate.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received as a filmmaker and what would you like to say to new filmmakers?
Shoot the middle first so you have a chance to ramp up the creativity before the beginning and end (the parts most people will remember). For beginning filmmakers, I think the most important thing is to finish projects and get them out into the world. You’ll learn more by releasing a so-so finished short film than by trying to perfect something for years.
What are your plans for your career and what do you hope this film does for that? What kinds of stories would you like to tell moving forward?
Lately I’ve been working more in live action, but I’m always trying to find ways to incorporate old school techniques like stop-motion, matte painting and miniatures. I have a couple horror features in the works that I’d like to produce soon! I also have a series of presentations set in the world of Steel Cut Oats.
What’s your next project and when can we expect to see it?
I’m currently involved in an animated film that’s currently in the financing phase, and in the early stages of a new short film about the fish mafia. Hopefully early next year!
Where can we find more of your work and where can interested people contact you? Do you have a website or YouTube/Vimeo channel? Social media handles?
You can check out my work at Harrychaskin.com and/or on Instagram @Hchaskin
Bonus question no. 1: What is your favorite movie of all time?
2001: A Space Odyssey
Bonus question no. 2: What is the film that most inspired you to become a director and/or had the greatest influence on your work?
2001: A Space Odyssey and The Mysterious Island by Ray Harryhausen
by Joey Paur
Source: Geek Tyrant
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
