Dave Zijlstra - Mirrored dreams
8:32, 2012DirectorDave ZijlstraProducerDave ZijlstraWriterDave ZijlstraCameraDave ZijlstraEditorDave ZijlstraCrewCast: Jiří Novák
Assistant Director: Ondřej Batoušek
Production Assistant: Kamil Virág
Translator: Jan Bartošek
CountryNetherlandsSubtitlesEnglishEdition2012
< overview
Who is Dave Zijlstra?
I’m a filmmaker, video artist and writer, living in The Hague, The Netherlands.
What is Mirrored dreams about?
It’s about a lonely teenager, who remembers a recurring childhood dream. It takes him to a city where he doesn’t know anyone, and where his current dreams mix up with reality.
How did you start with film? And do you have an educational background in art or film?
I studied photography at the Art school in The Hague. After graduation I started making (no budget) short fillms. Mirrored dreams is my third short fiction, and it’s is based on a childhood dream of my own.
Could you explain how you work, what themes or concepts you use and what is important to you?
I usually write a script first, but that’s just a guideline. On the set I give room for my actors to improvise and for unintended circumstances. During post I tend to forget the script and let the footage and rhythm speak for it’s self. "Not being in control of your own reality - the struggle and urge to be in control" is one of the main themes in my films. I try to stretch this theme into the structure of my films, to give the viewer their own struggle understanding the reality of the story.
How long do you usually work on one project?
Long; the edit can take up to one year or longer.
Do you carefully plan the production process or do you work more intuitive?
I do work with a shooting script, to give some structure, from there it’s intuition.
How does the title relate to the work, and how do you find a fitting title?
The title is pretty obvious in this case. A fitting title just pops up in my mind.
Where do you get your ideas or inspiration from?
It usually starts with a personal experience. In Mirrored dreams it’s that childhood dream.
How important is sound in film, and if you use sounds, do you create your own or use existing?
Sound is one of the key things to me. Most of the time I use the existing sounds.
How does content relate to the form of your work?
What inspires me is "content is form, form is content".
What is your next project about?
It’s another Czech short film, shot in Prague, about a decisive moment for a male model to end his life or not.
< overview
< Artists interviews
Assistant Director: Ondřej Batoušek
Production Assistant: Kamil Virág
Translator: Jan Bartošek
CountryNetherlandsSubtitlesEnglishEdition2012
< overview
Interview
I’m a filmmaker, video artist and writer, living in The Hague, The Netherlands.
What is Mirrored dreams about?
It’s about a lonely teenager, who remembers a recurring childhood dream. It takes him to a city where he doesn’t know anyone, and where his current dreams mix up with reality.
How did you start with film? And do you have an educational background in art or film?
I studied photography at the Art school in The Hague. After graduation I started making (no budget) short fillms. Mirrored dreams is my third short fiction, and it’s is based on a childhood dream of my own.
Could you explain how you work, what themes or concepts you use and what is important to you?
I usually write a script first, but that’s just a guideline. On the set I give room for my actors to improvise and for unintended circumstances. During post I tend to forget the script and let the footage and rhythm speak for it’s self. "Not being in control of your own reality - the struggle and urge to be in control" is one of the main themes in my films. I try to stretch this theme into the structure of my films, to give the viewer their own struggle understanding the reality of the story.
How long do you usually work on one project?
Long; the edit can take up to one year or longer.
Do you carefully plan the production process or do you work more intuitive?
I do work with a shooting script, to give some structure, from there it’s intuition.
How does the title relate to the work, and how do you find a fitting title?
The title is pretty obvious in this case. A fitting title just pops up in my mind.
Where do you get your ideas or inspiration from?
It usually starts with a personal experience. In Mirrored dreams it’s that childhood dream.
How important is sound in film, and if you use sounds, do you create your own or use existing?
Sound is one of the key things to me. Most of the time I use the existing sounds.
How does content relate to the form of your work?
What inspires me is "content is form, form is content".
What is your next project about?
It’s another Czech short film, shot in Prague, about a decisive moment for a male model to end his life or not.
< overview
