Recapping ‘a Short Break’ With Director Nathan DuConge
This week on ‘a Short Break’ we watched the short film Dr. Friday by Director Nathan DuConge. Although it may not have been Friday the 13th, Sunday the 13th was just as spooky. The short film “Dr. Friday” follows young, exiled journalist Nick Spade on his mission to uncover the unsolved the disappearances of Black people in his community. Damien and Emma were also joined by cast and crew members Patrick Walker, Laurelle Mabalot, and Steven Perez. If you somehow disappeared during the live conversation, it’s ok you’re back now to read what happened!
Introducing a new virtual show a Short Break where host Damien D. Smith and co-host Emma J. show the best short films in its entirety and then replay with a live director’s cut where you, the audience are able to interact and ask questions to your favorite filmmakers! Tune in every Sunday at 4PM PT / 7PM ET to join in on the LIVE conversation via Facebook Live and YouTube Live.
With you working in the genre of horror, especially with Dr. Friday, what were your thoughts on the new horror comedy ‘Juju’?
Nathan DuConge: When you’re working in these genres, you see even more access to a variety of storytelling that what we can do with our history. Genres like horror and comedy are perfect for Black storytellers because we experience both on a daily basis.
You have a beautiful opening shot where the camera is twirling. What made you open and close your film this way?
Nathan DuConge: This was sort of a world turning upside down. To let you know there is something coming, entering, and brewing underneath all of this bloodshed, violence, and racism. What I like to do is interrogate genres and flip them on their heads and this was my symbolic way of flipping this genre.
Can you explain how your wardrobe played as an addition to the story?
Nathan DuConge: Patrick is wearing a Black Panther shirt and the character of Nick Spade was into comics, into superheroes, and into the idea of being a superhero. He’s going into this courageous journey of wanting to be a hero of some sort, wanting to get down to the root of a problem and actually solve that problem. Brittany, is wearing a pink jacket, and that is a classic, 1950’s, damsel in distress look that I wanted to do and bring it to a neo-noir setting. The extras are even all in different timeless attire.
As the main character, how did you approach coming into this horror film?
Patrick Walker: I knew that Nathan was going to have a unique way of going into this story. He is telling the African American story inside this very unique and different world. As far as the character, I wanted to make him as normal as possible. A very relatable guy and I was particular about my voice and I didn’t want my Florida or Atlanta accent to be prominent. I wanted everyone to be able to watch it and understand where we were coming from as this is a film that could be seen on The CW or ABC.
Watch the full clip on Facebook and Youtube now, plus listen on Spotify! Don’t forget to watch previous episodes with directors Carl Seaton and Morocco Omari!
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