From dream diary to director’s chair.
2024-04-17
LCC International University contemporary communication senior Kristofer Gobins, 22, Latvia, turned a subconscious adventure into a real movie with the help of fifteen students, one alumnus, a film professor and a marketing department staff member. “In this movie we were utilizing the aesthetic of randomness and emptiness from my actual dreams,” said Gobins, while pointing at his head. Latvian abandoned village, Stirnas Ciems, was the inspiration for Gobins to write the horror movie script for his final thesis work with the help of his advisor Mischa Cantú-Blake, 35, United States. “My father’s graduation gift, 5,000 euros, made it possible,” said Gobins.Despite the limitations of the budget, Gobins' resourceful team improvised solutions throughout filming included everything from repurposing everyday objects, such as pieces of cloth, as props to utilizing natural light.Before venturing to the location, the crew created a storyboard of key scenes and mapped out filming within the studios’ structures.Filming itself took place over five days in the Cinevilla Studio, near Tukums, Latvia and two days in a nearly abandoned village, with the cast and crew braving the wind and cold in order to finish the project. “I sincerely value students’ presence and involvement on set; without them the process would not have been this smooth and exciting,” said film professor Cantú-Blake of LCC students' willingness to take up a project during the spring break.The crew and cast for “Mira House '' were selected by Gobins by means of online applications and while some had prior experience in stage productions, others were complete newcomers. Gobins, along with his advisers, held meetings to guide participants through the script and build their confidence prior the trip to Latvia.Script readings and brainstorming sessions at LCC International University refined the narrative and ensured the film resonated with people. “I was surprised to be chosen and I was completely taught how to record sound for the movies professionally, people usually pay thousands of dollars for such a thing,” said Mariia Yushchyshyna, 19, Ukraine, sophomore contemporary communication student, who held the role of a sound mixer in the crew. Gobins crafted a diverse cast with students from Georgia, United States, Kazakhstan and Latvia; these contrasting personalities add layers of tension so each character represents a different archetype and aims for the movie to stand out of the traditional horror movie narratives.The completed film promises a unique visual style blurring the lines between reality and nightmare through a combination of unsettling imagery and camerawork.“We wanted to be ‘around the corner’ scary, not just using the usual monster chasing them,” said Gobins.“Mira house” is in the post-production stage where Gobins is collaborating with the sound design team. “The challenge lies in balancing the unsettling atmosphere captured on camera with crafting a cohesive story that will leave a lasting impact on viewers,” said Gobins.“I would not recommend listening to all the sounds recorded during the night to anyone, except it is my job,” said Yushchyshyna, grinning and shrugging. While the official release date is still under wraps and the spring semester nearing its end, the "Mirror House" team intensifies post-production efforts to finalize the film for release. “Be flexible and be ready to work with what you have, do not set expectations but ‘do be yourself’,” said Gobins as a final advice for aspiring filmmakers.Courtesy of Xeniya Cherednik
