The Weirdly Wonderful Wondering Pictures
By: DAVID BRIGGS
(Posted July 3, 2015)
Marina Bruno
A classic car, a shattered road side lemonade stand,
and massive explosions propel the action of "Failed," the latest
short from Wondering Pictures.
It's definitely a high octane spectacle, and somewhat emblematic of Wondering Pictures' aesthetic, which leans towards showcasing characters who are a little off, and often not who they seem. And as Marina Bruno explains, "I like to have little twists at the end."
It's definitely a high octane spectacle, and somewhat emblematic of Wondering Pictures' aesthetic, which leans towards showcasing characters who are a little off, and often not who they seem. And as Marina Bruno explains, "I like to have little twists at the end."
And thankfully, things get twisted.
Bruno helms the Ottawa based production company. She writes, produces, directs, and does everything that needs to be done to make an indie come to life.
"I started that when I was sixteen," Bruno says of Wondering Pictures, "which is also when I did my first short film, Run."
Since then, she hasn't showed signs of slowing down, with seven shorts completed, and a feature, Cotton String, in post production.
The films definitely have a vibe. Characters are quirky to say the least. Her plots are definitely unique, and you never really know which way the story is turning. It's a ride worth taking just to see where it all leads.
Bruno helms the Ottawa based production company. She writes, produces, directs, and does everything that needs to be done to make an indie come to life.
"I started that when I was sixteen," Bruno says of Wondering Pictures, "which is also when I did my first short film, Run."
Since then, she hasn't showed signs of slowing down, with seven shorts completed, and a feature, Cotton String, in post production.
The films definitely have a vibe. Characters are quirky to say the least. Her plots are definitely unique, and you never really know which way the story is turning. It's a ride worth taking just to see where it all leads.
"I've been working on it for about a year
now," Bruno says of her first feature, which she "started writing last
April."
With a three week shooting schedule for Cotton String, there were some "really intense" moments, especially during the pre-production stages. "It was difficult to prepare a calendar of dates to film, but when we went into filming everything went really smooth."
"The challenge of filmmaking," she explains, "is that you never know what's going to happen. Every day there's going to be a new problem to solve, and a new challenge. It makes it stressful, but it makes it fun."
This summer, Wondering Pictures plans to make a couple of shorts, and finish Cotton String. "I definitely want to do another feature film, but I don't think I could this summer. A lot of planning. I'm thinking every two years."
With a three week shooting schedule for Cotton String, there were some "really intense" moments, especially during the pre-production stages. "It was difficult to prepare a calendar of dates to film, but when we went into filming everything went really smooth."
"The challenge of filmmaking," she explains, "is that you never know what's going to happen. Every day there's going to be a new problem to solve, and a new challenge. It makes it stressful, but it makes it fun."
This summer, Wondering Pictures plans to make a couple of shorts, and finish Cotton String. "I definitely want to do another feature film, but I don't think I could this summer. A lot of planning. I'm thinking every two years."
When asked what sparked her interest in filmmaking,
Bruno admits that "it's in my blood."
"My father is a filmmaker, " she explains, who has "made several different films in Argentina and Costa Rica and some in Canada...so I've basically been learning this art form since I could walk, film is all I know. I like to say that my father is my film school, he's taught me all I know."
Living and filming in Ottawa works well for Bruno, and there's no place else she'd rather be, except perhaps California, a particularly favourite locale, which she pays subtle homage to in "Short Circuit."
"I love Ottawa, it's such a nice peaceful community, with lots of people willing to help out," she says, speaking of the city's film community.
"There is a group of filmmakers here, and a lot of talent," she adds. "It's really inspiring to be surrounded by people who are so passionate and motivated with the same interests."
~IFO
"My father is a filmmaker, " she explains, who has "made several different films in Argentina and Costa Rica and some in Canada...so I've basically been learning this art form since I could walk, film is all I know. I like to say that my father is my film school, he's taught me all I know."
Living and filming in Ottawa works well for Bruno, and there's no place else she'd rather be, except perhaps California, a particularly favourite locale, which she pays subtle homage to in "Short Circuit."
"I love Ottawa, it's such a nice peaceful community, with lots of people willing to help out," she says, speaking of the city's film community.
"There is a group of filmmakers here, and a lot of talent," she adds. "It's really inspiring to be surrounded by people who are so passionate and motivated with the same interests."
~IFO
