Interview with ‘Whirlpool’ Director Brian Stynes

Brian Stynes is the director of the Kitchen Sink Drama short film Whirlpool, starring Michael Linehan as Jimmy. Jimmy practices martial arts and his father has dementia, with an uncaring carer. Jimmy has to take responsibility to care for his father.

Brian Stynes is a filmmaker and I.T. Professional. His previous short films include 1914 Street and Penitent. His short films have been screened in festivals around the world and in 2019 Whirlpool was screened at Fighting Spirit Film Festival.

Describe yourself in three films.

Images courtesy of Brian Stynes

Fried Green Tomatoes: Humanity

Ex Machina: Logic and truth

Ladybird Ladybird: Fallible

When did you know you wanted to become a filmmaker?

2001. I took acting classes and joined an acting troop but found the entire creative process more interesting and I'm a technical person by nature so I liked experimenting with computer editing and digital film

Who are some of the filmmakers who inspire your work?

Ken Loach for his fearless approach Mike Leigh for his understanding of the human condition Andrea Arnold for her raw depiction of reality.

What’s the best filmmaking advice you’ve ever received?

I have never received any advice but I like to listen to directors commentaries and find Ridley Scott's commentaries very inspiring and honest.

What do you enjoy most about being a filmmaker?

Thinking on my feet. I can have all my prep done before shooting a scene but my favourite part is coming up with ideas on the spot, something not on the page.

How do you think the film industry could improve?

A grading process for amateurs and no budget filmmakers eg: I make a self financed film, I have no lobbying powers but I try to get my film reviewed and accepted into festivals where I hope to have it seen by an audience and reviewers the festival rates the film on all of its merits (or not) this rating can be used to attract financiers for future projects.

What do you think makes a great short film?

When character and situation can be ascertained in the opening scene. Art direction, acting, lighting all play their part but once I know what the story is and who the characters are, it has my attention.

You’ve worked with Michael Linehan before on Penitent, how did your collaboration start?

A short lived filmmakers group in the city where I live set a task to its members to buddy up and make a film, Mike was a member of the group and as luck would have it, we both ended up in the same small group that made a fun but embarrassingly silly film (The O'Herne Identity) about a man with the envious ability to ejaculate acid which he uses to get out of "sticky" situations. Mike has acted in almost everything that I directed since then.

How did the project of Whirlpool come about?

Mike has been doing martial arts since childhood, Not a genre I was that interested in I must admit, but, notwithstanding, he likes martial arts, I like gritty realism and we had just seen Johnny Harris' "Jawbone" and loved it so we set about writing a story that combined a gritty real filmmaking with martial arts.

How did you do the casting for Whirlpool?

I posted an ad on a national website and a Facebook filmmakers network group, the actor that plays the gym fighting trainer is a kickboxing champion so he had to seriously tone down his ability in the ring, my ask of Paul was to fight Mike as if you are giving him every latitude until Mike's character delivers the groin hit at which point, Paul is to lose his cool and kick out with all his strength. The two lads rehearsed the fight for a few weeks beforehand which enabled me to get lots of takes from every angle, happy that the fight would be the same every time.

Were there any challenges you faced while working on Whirlpool and how did you overcome them?

Its getting a bit easier with every film that I make, I do the same thing for each project, break the script down in terms of costs, requirements, what can I get for free, what will cost a lot, who are the dependable people that I can get on board, I have to be satisfied that the actors will know their lines before I start a shoot.

I was very lucky on this film that I was working with extremely professionally minded people, Thomas, the actor playing the care giver hit me with ideas when we started doing his scenes, Maria, the administrator is one of the finest actors I have ever seen, so in terms of challenges, it was the phone calls and drop ins to the likes of the supermarket, I had to promise that I would be no longer than 30 minutes in the store for the scene of Mike buying biscuits, the Gym allowed us an entire day and we got lucky that there were people training who didn't mind being in the background, the fathers house is my girlfriends house, Mikes apartment is my apartment and we completely guerilla filmed the scene on the train, didn't tell anyone, just bought three tickets and went for it..... woohoo!!

What were some of the lessons you learned working on Whirlpool?

The lesson that springs to mind is the need for patience. Whirlpool got a lot of festival rejections, to the point that I believed I had made a dud and didn't want to make any more films, then the acceptances started, and a great review, then more acceptances, then awards and nominations and more reviews. I had all but given up on wanting to make films when the tide turned. I am a lot more patient with festival submissions after that.

What did you enjoy most about working on Whirlpool?

I got the most pride from seeing the level of dedication from everyone involved, no one arrived to a scene with a lack lustre mindset, it stirred my own professionalism and I felt that this film can be something to be proud of.

Do you have any projects coming up that we should look out for?

I have just finished a short set in 1963 rural Ireland, currently in the festival submitting stage and I am putting notes together for a new feature, kitchen sink drama again with a theme of adoption.

How was your experience with the Fighting Spirit Film Festival?

It was an honour to have the film selected, Mike went a bit nuts when he learned, his hero is Scott Adkins and to have our tiny film in a festival where Scott Adkins screened his was a very big deal.

Images courtesy of Brian Stynes

Speed Round. Pick one film for each category.

What is your favourite childhood film?

Raiders of the Lost Ark

What is your favourite cult classic film?

The Day the Earth Stood Still

What film do you think is underrated and deserves more attention?

Directors cut of Kingdom of Heaven

What is your current favourite film?

This is England

What was the last film you watched?

The Crucible

Images courtesy of Brian Stynes