The Secret of Mr. Nostoc won Best Animation Film - Jury Award in the 12th Season of MP Film Award Maxime Marion Director of the Film The Secret of Mr. Nostoc agree to interview with us.
Maxime Marion: French documentary director and self-taught stop motion animator.
About The Film: Synopsis: The Secret of Mr. Nostoc Film Synopsis:
Mr. Nostoc lives in an hectic city. Not stressed or pressed by time, he goes to work, and always has a new surprise under his hat. When night comes, he goes into his attic and stays there for hours. Working on his secret.
Trailer of - The Secret of Mr. Nostoc
What was your drive behind making this film?
Maxime Marion: In 2012 I discovered the books of Mr Nostoc by Patrice Seiler. To me, they looked like they were taken from an animated film. When we first met with Patrice a few months later, we immediately talked about how we would put this world into the realm of animation. We’ve never stopped talking about this project since then.
How do you feel when you are awarded with the MP FILM AWARD Award.
Maxime Marion: With Patrice we are both honored and happy. This is a small project made with a small budget. We’re happy it reaches an audience and that people actually enjoy it!
Can you tell us about the greatest moment during shooting this film?
Maxime Marion: My goal while doing this film was to remain faithful to the original material (the books, from Patrice). I remember this morning when I showed an early editing of one of the sequences with the music by Amaury Sabau on top of it. Patrice went very emotional and had tears in his eyes. The world he created started to live on screen! How could it be more rewarding?
How rigorously did you stick to the script while shooting?
Maxime Marion: With stop motion you can’t really diverge from the original script. Nonetheless, there are things not written in a script, like, what’s happening in the eyes of the main character. Many times, we had to enrich the story with the look in Mr Nostoc’s eyes.
Where there any onset problems During the filming of the film & how did you deal with it?
Maxime Marion: Some of the puppets were really fragile. For exemple: Mr Biznesse’s foot broke while shooting. I had to find a way to hide it and make him move without his foot. Some sets didn’t fit animation: the attic set had originally stairs that were way to small to have a puppet walk on it. I had to send the set back to Patrice so that he could fix it and make bigger stairs.
Do you have any advice for young filmmakers out there? Or like yourself?
Maxime Marion: Be patient! Especially when doing stop motion! haha
Do you think it is essential to go to a film institute in order to become a successful filmmaker?
Maxime Marion: I think a film institute offers you opportunities. I suffered a lot from not going to film institute because I had no real contacts in the business, and had to learn a lot by myself.
Which film has inspired you the most?
Maxime Marion: That really depends on the movie I’m working on. With Mr Nostoc I remember being inspired by Mary and Max and Fantastic Mr Fox. Both films had a huge influence in the way I wanted to direct the project.
Which particular filmmaker has influenced you the most?
Maxime Marion: I’d say Terrence Malick and Ridley Scott have been very important in the way I discovered movies. They have strong visual identities.
Which book would you love to make a film out of one day?
Maxime Marion: The sequel to The Secret of Mr Nostoc: The Marvelous Journey of Mr Nostoc!
If you got the opportunity to go back in time & change something in any particular movie of yours, then which movie & what changes will you opt for?
Maxime Marion: I think I would edit much of my movies shorter! They always feel never-ending to me now.
If you were to shoot the film again, what would you do differently?
Maxime Marion: I wouldn’t shoot it again. I don’t like the idea of re-doing things. Once they are done, I want to move forward and have new projects.
What is your greatest achievement till date?
Maxime Marion: Definitely The Secret of Mr Nostoc. I discovered stop motion on TV when I was 13, and I was fascinated. Mr Nostoc might not be perfect, but it is a dream that actually came true.
How do you pick yourself up after a failed film?
Maxime Marion: Can you actually fail a film? I mean you always learn, you always progress. A film might not be what you expected, it’s still a part of you. You improve from it. You don’t fail.
Where our viewers can catch you (share your social media)?
Maxime Marion:
I’m on Instagram : @mxm.animation
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