Allan Gutheim | Interview
CCMA : What initially sparked your passion for filmmaking?
Allan : As a music creator by profession, I have always felt a greater depth in the music when it was complemented by the visuals. So I have naturally had a predilection for wanting to create music for ballet, theatre, and film. Having the opportunity to develop the visuals for my own music since a few years ago is simply the optimal artistry.
CCMA : How do you approach securing funding for your independent projects?
Allan : Currently, my projects are zero-budgeted. Being able to create something with a bigger budget is only a dream.
CCMA : What strategies do you utilize to get your films seen by a wider audience?
Allan : Apart from social media, film festivals are my main channel.
CCMA : How do you leverage social media and online platforms to connect with your audience?
Allan : Short films, web series, and music videos are my main work and it suits social media such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
CCMA : What are some of the most valuable lessons you've learned in your filmmaking journey so far?
Allan : Working with camera angles, acting, story, and post-editing. But also animation, something I've started working on within the last year.
CCMA : Are you currently working on any new projects you'd like to share about?
Allan : In addition to my ongoing web series with the private detective Philip Gun, my two major projects are music videos for the synth duo Hot Beat and short films for Toy World in Sweden.
CCMA : In your opinion, what are the biggest opportunities and challenges facing independent cinema today?
Allan : AI is by far the biggest opportunity and challenge. It offers incredible opportunities for professional creators, while allowing any happy amateur to create, with the risk of exchanging originality for uniformity. With all the increasingly cheap and advanced technology, everyone can also have their own movie theatre at home instead of having to go to the cinema. And have access to all movies and series with one click.
CCMA : How do you plan to adapt your approach to distribution as new technologies emerge?
Allan : I have always been early in using technical ovations: music recording on computer, synthesizers, the web, the mobile phone, etc. Some have already had time to disappear, such as MIDI and fax. Now AI is the latest. Only the future knows what will happen next. What is certain is that I always want to be involved, as long as I can.
