Table of Contents
Three Key Takeaways
- Joe Gietl explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and human experience through a unique, conversational genre film.
- The film’s creative process embraced bold choices, including Gietl stepping in front of the camera and a daring one-take scene.
- “Tasteless” challenges genre conventions with twists that invite audience interpretation and spark conversation.
Joe Gietl, director, writer, and lead actor, brings his multi-faceted talents to the genre-defying short film Tasteless, selected for the renowned FilmQuest festival. Joined by a talented ensemble including Bonnie Discepolo as The Chef and an expert crew led by DP Lakota Ruby-Eck and composer Thomas J. Peters, Tasteless melds sci-fi concepts with existential dialogue. Gietl’s personal vision and collaborative spirit shine throughout this intriguing exploration of artificial intelligence and human taste.
What drew you to make Tasteless? Why this story, and why now?
Artificial intelligence has exploded into our world. And most of the time we’re seeing it take positions of artists in different creative fields. While I believe art will never be rendered obsolete because there is a tactile sense and an idiosyncratic nature to the best projects which have that unquantifiable element - soul. I do think it’ll be a tool used in the future more and more and hopefully it can done be done safely, which sounds naive, and in a way that benefits society. The first thought that came into my mind when Tasteless appeared surrounded the idea about android and taste. If a highly advanced robot was to taste something what would it experience? Would it be anything like what we feel or would it just an assortment of chemicals that it sift through and in the case of the chef delineate between to know exactly how much salt is missing for instance.
What it can’t account for is the human element. There’s a scene in Breaking Bad where Walter White is eating at Gus Frings’ house and Gus makes this traditional Chilean dish. He mentions how all of these ingredients put together bring him right back to his mother’s house in Chile, but taken apart they don’t remind him of anything. Walt being Walt tells Gus that’s what’s occurring is happening in the hippocampus, something called relational memory. I thought of that scene when designing Tasteless and creating this story that largely centered around two people talking about feelings, and existential questions. And when re-watching the film after the genres have been flipped and the twists have been revealed I think it recontextualizes the whole film.
“If our film inspires conversation while still keeping you hooked and intrigued that’s what I hope for.”
What surprised you most about the filmmaking process this time—creatively or logistically? Was there a moment on set or in post that completely changed how you saw the story?
There’s not much you can throw at me that’s gonna be something I haven’t seen at all before but I feel so fortunate to work with so many terrific collaborators. Friends that are invested in each others success and all want the best for the film. It was amazing working opposite the incredibly talented Bonnie Discepolo (Super-Man, Neo-Dome). Other than a couple things here and there this was my first time playing a lead role in a film as I’m usually behind the camera but I wanted to challenge myself.
I think the blonde hair did a lot of the work haha but I’m extremely proud of what myself, DP Lakota Ruby-Eck of Tomb Pictures and the rest of our small but mighty team achieved together on such a short timeline! I also have to give a special shoutout to our composer extraordinaire Thomas J Peters nominated for best original score at Filmquest. Working with Tom was such an amazing experience and I felt like we were in lockstep throughout the whole process on a very challenging film with many tonal shifts.
BTS shot from Tasteless
What was the hardest creative decision you made while making this film?
It’s always time! There was a moment we had maybe a five shot scene back and forth between the customer and chef as he enters the restaurant and everyone was looking at the clock. And not to toot my own horn but that was one of those screw it “let’s shoot it in one” moments. Sometimes those choices pay off big sometimes they can be rly tricky cause there’s less room for error. And you are now running through the whole scene in one long take. So that was probably the toughest but also the most liberating decision I made cause you know you just bought yourself some time but also as the actor in the scene I’m thinking I better nail this! haha
What do you hope audiences take away from your film?
I always leave that to the audience. Not to get all Lynchian here. But it’s true. If our film inspires conversation while still keeping you hooked and intrigued that’s what I hope for. The conclusions people draw are their own. And that’s what I love about film is that kind of speculation. To say the meaning almost kills it. Especially when it means many different things to me.
Independent filmmakers often rewrite the rules out of necessity. What do you think is the greatest strength of independent filmmaking, and how did you lean into that on this project? Is there a lesson or breakthrough you’d share with others navigating this path?
The freedom to tell unique stories that people feel bereft of. You know an independent film is coming at you unfiltered in many ways. And there are many great large scale films but sometimes that grandiosity can be hindrance. Independent film forces you to make difficult choices which can lead to astonishing results. My advice would be to just find a way. If you really wanna do this. Make something. You have to start somewhere. I used to be paralyzed with fear trying to shove everything in my soul into this little box. It’s impossible. Let the movie be what it is and just focus on taking one step up the mountain at a time. You’ll be tested in this way akin to throwing yourself in the fire. But you will learn and develop your skills/ style and find your people if you just continue to insist upon yourself and what you wanna do.
“Independent film forces you to make difficult choices which can lead to astonishing results.”
What does it mean to you to have your film selected for FilmQuest, one of the world’s top reviewed genre film festivals?
It means the world to me. I’m now a two time FilmQuest selection. It kind of solidifies that hey I must be doing something right here haha and beyond that FilmQuest is just such a fun experience that brings people together and cultivates this summer camp vibe that I love so much. I met some really great friends including Thomas my first time around and I can’t wait to meet more talented folks and watch a bunch of stellar flicks! It’s heaven. We’re actually roadtripping from Nightmare in the Ozarks to FQ as well so it should be an interesting trip!
FilmQuest celebrates the majesty and might of genre filmmaking across fantasy, horror, sci-fi, action, thriller, western, kung-fu, and beyond. How does your film fit within—or push the boundaries of—genre storytelling?
“This film does what a lot of my favorite genre films do and that’s flip the convention on its head.
When you think you have it pinned down it becomes something else entirely. That element of surprise is so satisfying for me as a viewer when a film is just one step ahead of where I think it’s going.
Where do you see this film going next?
Hopefully some very large festivals! We’ve got some plans in the works for it and who knows after that. I like to keep a roster of projects ready to go at all times but there may be some fun news coming in the near future. But to not spoil this dish I’ll have to leave it that for now :)
“At the core of all my work is a desire to communicate what’s in my heart and hopefully connect with others who feel the same way but didn’t know how to put it into words."
Cast and Crew
- Joe Gietl — Director, Writer, Lead Actor.
- Bonnie Discepolo — The Chef, Actor.
- Chris Gaunt — Executive Producer, Actor.
- Lakota Ruby-Eck — Director of Photography.
- Thomas J. Peters — Composer, nominated for Best Original Score at FilmQuest.
Learn more about the film on their instagram page.
