GTFO Film Spotlight

Today’s film spotlight focuses on the short film GTFO from CE Hoffman and Winston Rowntree.

What is the title of your film and what inspired said title?

CE: GTFO. The title is taken from the short story it’s based on, GTFO #1, which appears in my #OwnVoices collection Sluts and Whores, released by Thurston Howl Publications.

Tell us a little bit about the story and origins of your film.

CE: Two escorts bond while waiting for a bus that will help them escape the Big City. This film, inspired by a short story, finds its roots in my real-life experiences, while also drawing on my literary universe. 

Any films or filmmakers that inspired this film?

W: Not specifically— I’m new at animating and just trying to enjoy that phase where you first try something and don’t know how things are usually done so you’re naturally more able to experiment. The upside of ignorance is you’re also ignorant of how to conform to standards, at least hopefully.

What is the goal of the film for you?

CE: To collaborate with Winston, and the other incredible creatives on the project; to reach a broader audience; to give life to characters normally only seen on paper; to embrace the intersection between the literary arts and other mediums. 

What has the journey been like getting the film into production?

W: It’s rare that people want to collaborate, particularly when they are talented enough to not need to collaborate to get their voice out there, so i was really glad that CE brought this opportunity to put our strengths together– it’s fun and rewarding to share the duties on a creative work, I don’t often get the opportunity. I literally learned video editing because of this project, so this is only the second video I’ve ever done, but I hope that makes it sound accessible to others out there reading this. You can get the software for free, legitimately (Davinci Resolve, in this case), and then if you just consider that animation is not any more complicated than making pictures move, then it really is possible to just start from nowhere and start animating stuff. You don’t need school or money or anything that’s hard to get. No-one should ever feel intimidated to try such things. I will always feel strongly about that and try to convey that I have no special knowledge, nor is art some kind of special, exclusive club. Make art! Yes, you! 

One thing you learned from this project?

CE: The necessity of collaboration! Thanks to Winston, our Kickstarter backers, and our amazing cast n’ crew, this film reached a peak I never could have amassed on my own. 

How can folks find you and your film online?

CE Hoffman: Website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube

Winston Rowntree: Website, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter

Any last pieces of advice for fellow filmmakers?

W: Just MAKE A FILM. Nothing else is as important as actually Making The Thing. Don’t wait for an opportunity, don’t wait to go to school first, just make something because that will lead to everything else. Once you have made something you have proven to yourself it’s a thing you can do, it’s a new ability you now have, and the next thing you make will be better than the first, and maybe someone will see it and give you further opportunity and maybe you’ll meet some people via your work and maybe nothing matters other than Making The Thing. Don’t wait, don’t save your best ideas for “when you have money,” just make the thing. Just tell a story, just make what you wish existed. Everything else stems from that. 

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