Anna Tkachenko | Contributor
Featured image: Peter Widdrington directed many films, one of them being A New Home, which won the grand prize at TUFF. | Courtesy of Peter Widdrington
Today, it’s understood that many devote most of their leisure time to watching movies, because they provide a sense of distraction from personal issues and conflicts.
Yet, some films also convey perspectives that expand our understanding of love, politics, relationships, and life.
These films sensitize the public, giving them something they haven’t felt or seen before.
A talented filmmaker knows how to capture the public’s attention with their work; sometimes, it’s through an inkling, while other times, it’s through the process of creatively capturing a sensitive subject.
One of these filmmakers is York’s fourth-year Film Production student, Peter Widdrington, who directed one of his films, A New Home, for the Toronto Urban Film Festival (TUFF), which won the grand prize.
“A New Home was a film reverse-engineered for TUFF. I wanted to see how I could tell a one-minute film in a way that I feel hasn’t been done before, and I think I accomplished that,” says Widdrington.
He explains that his concept of reverse engineering films is a strong way to creatively craft them, as filmmakers have to start from their limitations, and then begin their work on a story, implementing what they already have.
Currently, Widdrington is working on future productions, demonstrating possible innovative approaches to the ways films can be made.
“One is titled It’s Me, which is a story about relationships and how they can fall apart through a single moment. Another is my thesis film Repulse, which is a story dealing with the anxieties and pressure felt from an urban environment. It will be told via three screens playing at once, which should be very interesting, and I have an untitled film composed of macro shots of paint, which may just become B-roll footage if I can not find a composer for it,” he says.
Along with his creative mind and innovative approach to filmmaking, the young filmmaker gives credit to his studies at York for his knowledge about film and the industry.
“The York program offered what I was looking for: hands-on experience mixed with theory-based work, and a university atmosphere that I really wanted to experience. I thought it would be my best bet, considering there aren’t many film schools in the country to choose from,” he explains.
“I see myself making films of all kinds, and telling stories that I hope resonate with other people.
“Through the people I’ve met and from the education I’ve gotten, I do feel that I’m more prepared to enter the workforce, something that before coming to university, I was scared of.”
Widdrington’s love and passion for film made him see how much he wanted to pursue it. His childhood days of watching MGM films and going to Blockbuster to rent a film made him see the collaborative environment of the industry.
“What I really love about filmmaking is the range of stories that can be told. Some of my favourite filmmakers are Spike Jonze, Stanley Kubrick, Chris Cunningham, and P.T. Anderson, all of whom tell stories in their own unique way,” he adds.
Regarding advice for aspiring filmmakers, Widdrington says: “Don’t give up. It took me many attempts to get into film school. Just because someone says no, that does not mean you are not good enough. This goes for life in general. Keep trying and look out for other routes to get where you want to be.”
