This post is part of #the100dayproject that encourages creatives to do an action every day for 100 days. I've chosen to write an article or blog post every day. Previous posts for this project can be found here.
Actors Troian Bellisario and Patrick Adams used the power of social media last week to unveil the short film they filmed together called We Are Here. The link to the film was shared on Twitter and Instagram followed with a live Q&A between the real-life couple on Instagram.
The 20-minute film about an unnamed man, woman and child living in isolation was inspired by a conversation between Adams and Bellisario. Seeing their friends and family have children, they wondered what could compel someone to bring life into the world, especially in an extreme environment like one the movie is set. Filmed over four days in Haida Gwaii, a remote archipelago off the coast in British Columbia, Canada, Adams made his directorial debut and shared writing credits with his wife.
As they met working together on a play many years, filmmaking has always been a part of this relationship. Adams always wanted to try writing his own film and with Bellisario as the more seasoned writer with her films, Exiles and Feed, she felt it was her job to create a safe space for her husband to pull out what he wanted to convey.
“We spent a lot of nights yelling and kicking and screaming in our dining room as I tried to figure out exactly what I was trying to say and what we were trying to do, but she was very patient with me and she taught me a lot through that process,” Adams said during the Q&A.
The attention to detail and use of sound throughout the film carried the story, removing the need to fill space with unnecessary dialogue and showcasing the couple's acting skills.
The lack of dialogue was intentional. Both actors wrapped long-running television shows (Pretty Little Liars and Suits) that had a lot of conversations between the characters.
“We were interested in how to tell a complex story that had a lot of different emotions and two characters with real history and to describe that with as little talking as possible,” said Adams.
“I think we also wanted to convey that when you are in an isolated space with only each other in the wilderness, I think there's a lot less need for language,” said Bellisario. “I think our characters knew a lot of what was going on in the other's mind.”
Knowing what was going on in other's mind also played a role in the filmmaking. With Adams fulfilling two roles as director and actor, he relied on his co-star and his crew to get the shots filmed in the short timeframe.
But now that the film is out into the digital world, Adams and Bellisario are happy to see the response from the fans.
“For those of you who are coming with us into something new and seeing us take on different roles, we appreciate it,” said Adams. “It gives us the courage to keep on making new stuff.”
“...which we need,” Bellasario replied. “We do need that courage and that's important.”
“It's scary to move from something big in your life so thank you.”
We Are Here is available to watch on Vimeo. Best viewed with a large screen and a good set of headphones.