Interview With Tina Scorzafava

AE: I remember you saying that the film is intended to show that you can do action and sci-fi with queer characters. Do you feel that audiences respond to that, as opposed to the usual festival dramas and comedies?
TS: I think audiences respond to any genre film as long as it's a good story done well, and I especially feel action sci-fi films would be something they'd love, since it's all but been neglected.

Based on festival audience reactions so far, where the short In Twilight's Shadow has been screening, I think we gave them something fresh, fun and visually exciting that they've been waiting to see.

But without enough of these types of short films, festival programmers have a hard time programming them since they don't have others like it to fill a program. And because of that, some audiences are really going to miss out.

AE: Do you think there's real potential for queer characters in mainstream action sci-fi films, or on the flipside, potential for queer films done in this style?
TS: I might be a Pollyanna wearing rose-colored glasses, but I fully believe mainstream is willing to accept queer characters — within certain boundaries.

They don't care about seeing the queer process, and even they're tired of the stereotypes. But if you give them a character who just happens to be queer, put them in a solid story wrapped in big action and intense effects, surrounded by a great cast — then the queer content becomes just an element, not the focus.

However, a concern popping up is that the companies say they have no money to make these kinds of films. Plus, based on some of my past conversations with a few of them, they seem to believe what the mainstream industry believes: Queer films are not profitable unless the budgets can be kept to an extremely low dollar amount.

But it's just a fact that you can't shoot a well-done, believable action sci-fi film or TV series for the same costs you could a drama or comedy. Just the small additional crew, effects and stunt teams require more. But if you plan your shoot creatively and use all available resources to keep the budget down, you can make it cost-effective. I've done it.

AE: It's clear that there's a great deal of backstory and mythology underlying the short film. Could you give us a few clues, especially about the heroine, Carlisle?
TS: Um, if I explain the mythology and backstory then where's the fun of watching the feature once it's made? But I can share this: The feature script of In Twilight's Shadow is an adventure about a young woman's battle to accept the dark gift and all the power, seduction, rage, sorrow, excitement and consequences that come with it.

I'll take you into Carlisle's inner sanctum, to witness the Coven and all its mythology from the inside. Everything I hope to achieve is there to give the audience what they need to enhance the experience and seduce them into her world.

AE: Speaking of a dark gift, there have been comparisons to Buffy and Underworld. What would you say to differentiate your film from them?
TS: It has a fascinating story, with all the action and effects you've come to expect, but what will separate In Twilight's Shadow is that it asks a question of the audience: "If eternal life was laid at your feet and you could have almost anything, what would you desire most?" I think our answer to that will intrigue you.

AE: Finally, I want to know what you're seeing in mainstream genre film. Do you think women, queer or not, in sci-fi, action and superhero movies are in trouble right now? That is, relegated to playing wives, sidekicks, girlfriends, damsels in distress, etc.? If so, how do we fix that?
TS: It's true that women have typically been relegated to secondary or stereotypical roles, although they've been treated more favorably on TV.

But we can't deny that we've also been given some strong females in good action film roles — Sigourney [Weaver], Angelina [Jolie], Charlize [Theron], Uma [Thurman], Linda [Hamilton], Milla [Jovovich] and Keira [Knightley] — just to name a handful. But they're few and far between.

Sadly though, it's worse within our community and probably will stay that way for a long while. Queer — specifically U.S. — filmmakers are literally making shorts and features by themselves on peanuts, whereas action sci-fi films require at least a raise to cashews — thanks to Dara [Nai] for that metaphor — and a certain level of support.

Until we start getting assistance both financially and creatively from the queer networks and production companies, with audiences supporting it at the box office/festivals, then the only hope of women — queer or not — in these kinds of films lies in the hands of a few mainstream straight male directors — which is fantastic, but not nearly enough.

Watch the trailer for In Twilight's Shadow:

In Twilight's Shadow is currently playing at LGBT film festivals across the country; visit www.liquidfilmworks.com for more information.