Table of Contents
Three Key Takeaways
- AJ Prager emphasizes the importance of grounding high-concept sci-fi in familiar settings to resonate with audiences and maintain feasibility under tight constraints.
- Creative problem-solving with camera setups can lead to unexpected and impactful storytelling moments, as demonstrated by an accidental yet pivotal shot in a car window reflection.
- Collaborating under pressure can uncover new strengths and resilience in both the filmmaker and their team, with teamwork and adaptability crucial to overcoming challenges.
AJ Prager is no stranger to the creative whirlwind of filmmaking. Known for her unique blend of comedy, science fiction, and magical realism, AJ has made a name for herself in the indie film scene.
Her latest short, "One Minute Ahead," emerged as a winner of the CFA Quarterly Film Challenge, captivating audiences with its eerie yet grounded premise: a man, trapped in a parking lot, glimpses into a disturbing future through his car’s backup camera.
In this candid interview, AJ shares her exhilarating experience of crafting a film under pressure, the unexpected moments of brilliance that arise from limitations, and the unwavering support of her team.
Q&A Interview
Your film "One Minute Ahead" uses such a simple setting—a car in a parking lot—to tell a complex story. How did this idea come together?
The seed of the idea actually sprouted back in April. I was intrigued by the concept of a device that could glimpse into a horrifying future. I wanted to ground this sci-fi idea in something familiar, which led me to think about places easily accessible for the shoot. My car became the perfect setting.
"Working quickly was an experiment to break away from perfectionism. Could a three-day project be as high quality as one that took years?"
A few weeks prior, I had an odd moment while backing out of a parking spot—the bush in my rearview looked like a person, just for a second. That uncanny feeling lingered, inspiring the premise of a backup camera that sees into the future, creating both a sci-fi narrative and an emotional journey.
What was the most daring decision you made during production, and did it pay off?
We took some bold steps with our camera rigs. Will, our DP, and I experimented by strapping the camera to different parts of the car: the windshield, side mirror, and even through the backseat. It was risky, especially with our tight schedule, but it paid off.
One serendipitous moment was when we discovered a reflection in the car window that framed both leads in one shot. It was an accidental yet perfect piece of foreshadowing, and it became my favorite shot in the film.
Did anything about the process surprise you?
I was genuinely surprised by the generosity and grace of my team. Everyone was incredibly giving with their energy, even though we were working with limited resources.
"An accidental reflection in the car window became my favorite shot—an eerie piece of foreshadowing that was pure serendipity."
Personally, this project was an experiment to see if I could break away from my perfectionist tendencies. I wanted to see if working quickly could be less mentally taxing and produce work of comparable quality to projects that took years. It was a revelation.
Were there moments when you doubted you’d finish on time?
Absolutely, there were many moments of doubt. The weekend was a blur of editing marathons—I was at the edge, with a migraine and eyes crossing from staring at the screen. The turning point was when Sean, our co-lead, stepped in to help edit.
His fresh perspective was invaluable. We were editing amid noise and chaos with people over, but we pushed through with a combo of willpower, teamwork, and caffeine. I’m still amazed we finished.
Looking back, what advice would you give to someone tackling a similar challenge?
My advice would be to start with an amazing concept that fits within a space you have free access to. Ensure your idea is flexible enough to adapt to the constraints of the challenge. Embrace the limitations as they can often lead to creative breakthroughs.
"The generosity and grace my team showed was incredible. We pushed through with willpower, teamwork, and caffeine."
This piece was shaped from an original conversation (recorded, written, or filmed). Using only the source material, editing tools powered by AI helped refine structure and flow under close human guidance. All ideas and details reflect the voices of the original speakers.
