What inspired you to tell your family story on film?

I had wanted to make a film about my dad for some time. It started out of a fear that I may forget him one day, so I thought that making a film about him would be a way that I could preserve him (or rather, my memory of him) in a way that I could continually go back to. Over time this idea evolved into something a bit more concrete and that was mostly prompted by my mom's discovery of the tapes. Suddenly, I had a very specific portal to enter the story from, and it was at this point that I recruited collaborators to help shape it, such as co-writer Josef Beeby and Producer Julie Baldassi.

 

What were some of the challenges you faced during the production of this film?

The emotional drainage. It was a tough thing to live with those memories and feelings so closely for an extended period of time. But it was ultimately a way to get me out of my own hesitancy to share these things and I'm thankful for that.

 

What has the reception of your film been like?

It's been a total surprise. I hadn't considered the possibility that this story could be so relatable. I've been able to meet and speak with so many people that had similar stories because of this film and that wasn't something that I would have ever expected.

 

You blend stop-motion animation, found footage, and original footage in your work. How did you develop this multimedia style?

It's half method and half necessity. For a long time I've had a great interest and appreciation for animation and mixed media so it makes sense that it would influence and make its way into my work. But on the other hand, I tend to work within smaller budgets, where large sets and crews aren't always an option. Animation and mixed media are a way to keep things small in a production sense.

 

If there is one piece of advice you could give to an aspiring filmmaker, what would it be?

To take your time. It's very important not to rush through your own career before better understanding yourself and the kinds of stories you'd like to tell.

 

How has the pandemic affected your ability to work as a filmmaker?

I currently have a few short and feature projects ranging from the ideation stage to development, but the pandemic has put a pause on most things. It’s also really made it tough to be creative. I'm one of those people that has to have my credit card paid off, the dishes done, and the house tidy before I can sit down and focus on writing. The pandemic has proven to be this big dreadful cloud that's almost impossible to push out of my mind and is responsible for taking away a lot of my focus. But I've been able to inch along a little bit, just at a slower pace.

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Follow Charlie on Instagram @charlietyrell to see what he’s up to!

 

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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