I have writer/Director Brian Davenport here today to discuss his film "Ice Blossom" Hello Brian, let's start off by you telling me a little about yourself?
- I was born in Bismarck, North Dakota in 1983 and have lived in North Dakota most of my life. I started getting really interested in film during high school. I was in the multimedia classes, we would make a fifteen minute news program and I really got into it, so much so, that I decided to go to film school. I attended the New York Film Academy in London, England where I worked on, I’d say, 20 short films. When school ended in September, I came back to North Dakota and got married to Laura Lanz, who plays Chelsea in "The Ice Blossom," in June of 2004. We spend most of our "spare" time, watching DVD’s and discussing ideas for future projects.
What made you decide on the making of the film "Ice Blossom"?
- Well, I had the idea for "The Ice Blossom" about two years ago, but it just wasn’t working out at the time and then my grandfather died. I was in the room with him when he died. It was a really upsetting and also eye-opening experience. I knew during the drive home that I had to do "The Ice Blossom," that I wasn’t going to wait for something to happen to me. I was going to seek it out. So, I wrote for about three months and a couple of months later we were shooting.
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How long have you been a film maker?
- I’d have to say, really about three years, but I remember when I was eleven, my parents had a VHS camcorder and I was always making little stop-motion movies with Lego and Hot Wheels. Making short spoofs of Wayne’s World, Letterman and Sports center. They were stupid little movies, but a lot of fun. I started making really short films at film school in London and I’ve never looked back. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life and I can’t see myself doing anything else.
Are there any other films that you have done, or is "Ice Blossom" the first?
- I’ve done seven short films, but this is my first feature film. It’s actually the first film I’ve wanted to show anyone. I hated my short films for so long, but now they’re just nostalgic and something I only show close, close friends. I’m really proud of "The Ice Blossom" and all the people that worked on it with me.
Do you have any future plans for another project?
- At the moment, I’m working on writing a few short films, but one is turning into a feature length. It’s an untitled screenplay focusing on a kidnaping and the nature of violence: Why we do it, why it’s done to us, what pushes us over the line to commit violence.
It’s really unlike anything I’ve ever written. I’m really excited for it. But, I think for the time being, I’ll focus on making a few shorts before I make another feature. I’m hoping to have one done by October. I’m putting it on the fast rack.
Approximately how long did it take to shoot the entire film?
- We shot the film in eleven days, in and around my hometown of Bismarck, North Dakota in about 30 below zero weather. We had a lot of purple extremities and sniffling noses. Luckily my mom made her famous Wild Rice soup. It made being out in the cold just a little easier.
Do you have a date as to when the film will be released?
-There is no release date as of now, I’m just finishing up post-production, but I’ll be sending the film off to a lot of festivals in the next few weeks. I’m also hoping to screen somewhere in North Dakota for the premiere.
Do you have a website for my readers to find out more about you and the film?
- All I’ve got right now is www.myspace.com/iceblossomthefilm and that seems to be working out pretty well. So, readers stop by, watch the trailer, shoot me a line and hopefully I’ll see you at the festivals.
Thank you so much Brian for your time and I wish you the best.
- No, thank you for your interest in me and the film.
