Celebrating the "unsung heroes of our film industry", the Desktop Cinema Season is on at the Film Archive in Wellington every Wednesday night until 26 September.

In part three of a six-part series of interviews with digital filmmakers, Desktop Cinema curator Diane McAllen talks to NZ director Amarbir Singh about his film, 1Nite.Celebrating the "unsung heroes of our film industry", the Desktop Cinema Season is on at the Film Archive in Wellington every Wednesday night until 26 September.

In part three of a six-part series of interviews with digital filmmakers, Desktop Cinema curator Diane McAllen talks to NZ director Amarbir Singh about his film, 1Nite.Tell me about the process of making the film. How was the script developed, and how long did shooting take?
It took us 8 shooting days over 4 months. It was shot with the crew of two, Cristobal Araus lobos and myself. The entire film was shot on Canon XL1 and camera sound. We worked out most of the pre-production work over coffee at a cafe.

Philosophically, we wanted to work in a style and manner where skill of storytelling plays importance rather than equity. Therefore we agreed on a style where the characters are an integral part of their milieu. This also resulted in a good deal of handheld camera and close-ups to motivate the feeling that the characters were influenced by the emotional tone of their environment (city).

Most of the actors were briefed about a week before the shoot. The actors were involved in picking their characters.

How much did it cost?
It cost us $400 to shoot the film.

Did you apply for or receive any funding/support?
No, we did not apply for any funding as the funding bodies' integrity did not align with the project's philosophy.

What attracts you to the digital video format?
Shooting it digitally was the only way we could bring realism and rough street-like quality to the film, which was very important to tell that story. Three years ago, it was also an issue of accessibility. Now, with new technology, there is very little difference between analog and digital.

Are you working on any new projects?
I am working on a new project at the moment - we planning to shoot it by the end of this year.

Where do you see the future of digital filmmaking going?
Digital filmmaking is NOW.

1Nite
(2004, M - Contains violence, sexual references and offensive language, 80 mins)
Director: Amarbir Singh
Screening: 5 September 2007, 6.30pm
Where: Film Archive, 84 Taranaki Street, Taranaki Street, Wellington
Tickets: $8 ($6 concession)

12/9/07

Image: A still from 1Nite.

• Read Part One - Desktop Cinema: an interview with digital feature director Stefan Lewis.
• Read Part Two - Desktop Cinema: an interview with digital feature director Stephen Kang.