News/Press - Popcorn and Vokda interviews filmmaker Justin Hannah about Consignment movie

Popcorn and Vodka interviews filmmaker Justin Hannah about "Consignment"
Posted February 25, 2014

With The River City Festival of Films right around the corner, director Justin Hannah sat down
with Popcorn and Vodka for an extensive interview about the making of "Consignment." Popcorn and Vodka is an excellent film blog featuring reviews and interviews with filmmakers, as well as
coverage of film festivals.

Filmmaker Justin Hannah Consignment movie - Photo by Jerry Hannah II

1Q: Tell us a little about the origins of CONSIGNMENT, from concept to financing.

The original concept came out of my interest in a sort of 1950′s style of filmmaking – these exaggerated, stylized films with very dramatic lighting, lush narrative music and mannered performances. I love the feeling of mood of those kinds of films. So I wanted to make something in that style, in that alternate world. At the same time, I became a little bit obsessed with this consignment shop I would pass on my way home from work. All you could see from the road were these mannequins wearing older women’s clothes in the storefront, and murky darkness behind them. I can’t say why, but the two concepts started to fuse in my mind, and I started imagining what kind of mysterious things might be going on inside that consignment shop. Which led to the story that we see in the film.

To raise funds for the movie, I submitted work to tongal.com, a website that connects creative people with large companies. I was able to raise around $1000 from a Beach Boys music video contest and a few other things. From there, I was really lucky to find talented people who shared my passion and who were willing to help with the necessities and/or work for reduced rates. Like the cinematographer Lee Clements, and the composer Robert Casal, both incredibly talented people, among many others. The budget for CONSIGNMENT ended up being around $2000.

2Q: What was your best and/or worst experience while making CONSIGNMENT?

I would say the best experience was watching something that began as a feeling or a mood in my mind slowly crystalizing and becoming this physical thing that exists in the world, and the universe coming together to help make that happen. I’m sure that that’s true for most films, but CONSIGNMENT is a period piece, so there were so many details – locations, clothing, hairstyles, props, vehicles – that couldn’t be taken for granted. But one by one, each one fell into place, with strangers (now friends, mostly) coming forward and volunteering props, clothing, filming locations (in one case, an entire town!), antique vehicles… everything. Of course, it’s easier to say that in hindsight, and it took over a year for it all to come together into a finished film. But still, there was something magical about how it all came together.

3Q: CONSIGNMENT has shown at several film festivals and even won a few awards. Do audiences respond differently at some festivals than they do at others? And do you ever stop being nervous?

I’m thrilled that CONSIGNMENT has been accepted into several festivals, and like you mentioned, has won a few awards. But I definitely haven’t stopped being nervous! It’s scary every single time. It’s an odd movie, so I never know how people are going to respond to it. But honestly, everyone I’ve spoken to at the showings have been incredibly kind, warm and interested. There was one showing where someone asked me straight out, “what did i just watch?” And there have been others where the audience really got it, and locked into the story or the mood, and in some cases even the technical aspects of the film, and really enjoyed it. It’s fun to talk to people about their interpretations of the film; they are usually a lot more perceptive than they realize... continue reading >>

"Consignment" is a stylish period drama written and directed by Justin Hannah, starring Abbra Smallwood, Margaret Wuertz, Jake Gilliam and Jessica McGill, with cinematography by Lee Clements and music by Robert Casal.

Described in reviews as "an alluring, multi-layered film experience" and "a beautifully realized, thought provoking short film," the movie has drawn comparisons to Alfred Hitchcock and David Lynch. "Consignment" won awards for Best Cinematography at the 2015 Blaquefyre Independent Film Festival, Best Kentucky Short at the 2014 Autumn Shorts Film Festival, Best Short Film at the 2013 World Independent Film Expo, and Most Original Film at the 2013 Floyd Film Festival.

Justin Hannah's "Consignment" is now available for instant streaming on Hulu and Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, Vimeo On Demand, and IndieFlix.