Celia,
I have nothing but praise for your movie. What you have accomplished with such a small budget, limited equipment and largely amateur cast is nothing short of extraordinary.
You direct with a great confidence; very effective blocking during long takes which is a skill that most modern directors don’t have, and your willingness to allow the scenes to play out as ensemble or two shots is really effective – when actors share the frame they are able to put aside their anxiety and play off each other. Golden era directors of the 30s-40s were masters of this technique.
A huge shout out has to go to Claire Ness who put in an absolutely luminous performance. She really invested herself in the character of January.
One more compliment has to go to Chris Rodgers for the cinematography. It really showcased the eclectic beauty of the Yukon, and I found that some of the most tragic scenes were shot with the most beauty. It is always interesting to see the Territory captured by a local as opposed to an outsider. There is no fear in showing the rough edges of the scenery. The Yukon is so much more than helicopter shots and gold rush relics.
In short, phenomenal work, Celia! Consider me a lifelong fan and supporter. Bravo on the hard work and sacrifices you have made to put this on the screen. I can’t wait to see where you go from here!
~ Steven Hanulik, Filmmaker
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