Table of Contents
Three Key Takeaways
- The film "Prayer is Whatever You Say on Your Knees" is a scene from Sydney Ribot's feature script Nails, which is a darkly comic take on modern intimacy and the fine line between caregiving and control.
- Sydney highlights the importance of a collaborative team that aligns with the film's vision to navigate the challenges of indie filmmaking effectively.
- Spontaneity on set can lead to creative breakthroughs, as evidenced by turning a prop camera on, which added unexpected depth to the narrative.
Sydney Ribot, an Argentine-American filmmaker with a penchant for nuanced storytelling, recently won the CFA Quarterly Film Challenge with "Prayer is Whatever You Say on Your Knees." This scene from her feature script, "Nails," navigates the complexities of modern intimacy through a blend of humor and heart.
Her work is deeply rooted in the belief that what the conscious mind denies often manifests as fate, a theme she skillfully explores through her characters' journeys.
In this conversation, Sydney shares her insights into the filmmaking process, the importance of taking risks, and the power of collaboration.
Congratulations on winning the CFA Quarterly Film Challenge! Can you share a bit about your creative process for this project?
The CFA Challenge was an incredible opportunity to workshop a scene from my feature and test out collaborations. I'd worked with Mario, our editor, before, and he understands culturally and emotionally where I’m coming from. Austin, the DP, and I have had an ongoing creative conversation that’s lasted eight years. It was time to see how that connection fared in production. We were only eight people on set, including actors. While the scene was already written, we had one week to prep, a weekend to edit, and we made it work.
"Filmmaking is not theoretical, it’s intuitive. It’s emotional. The only way you’ll know is by doing it."
Your film is part of a larger feature script, "Nails." Can you tell us more about it?
"Nails" is a darkly comic take on modern intimacy and the fine line between caregiving and control. It's a psychodrama about silence, spectacle, and the cost of relying on performance as a shield.
The feature is personal but not autobiographical; at many junctures, you could laugh or cry. I’ve done both. I want audiences to do both before settling on hope because I believe in people. However, I also believe that good intentions pave the road to hell.
What was your boldest decision during this project, and did it pay off?
Turning the prop camera on was a bold decision that paid off. It gave me conviction about how to write act two and gave the leads a real chance at redemption. The format change was visceral, and the emotional stakes became intuitive. It helped me understand that "Nails" is, at its core, about trust.
Were there any surprises during this process, either about yourself or your team?
This shoot reinforced that you need to just get out and do it. Filmmaking is not theoretical; it’s intuitive and emotional. The other thing it reinforced is how important it is to make movies with people who understand why you’re making the movie. The energy on set matters.
Behind the scenes from Prayer is Whatever You Say on Your Knees
You mentioned spontaneity on set. How did that influence the final piece?
On set, I looked at the Canon EOS M50, which has a screen you can flip around, and said, let’s escalate. Start with photos, then switch to filming. Their entire dynamic changed. We ran with it, and in the edit, it became clear that intercutting footage shot by the actor playing Matt was a game changer.
At the screening, the audience held their breath as Prayer switched between the Sony FX9 and prop camera. Was it going to become pornography? A horror movie? Can we trust this man? Reaction to the format change was visceral. The emotional stakes became intuitive.
What advice would you give to someone doing this challenge for the first time?
Do it! Inde and Hae are building amazing infrastructure to help indie filmmakers make the best movies possible. And remember, set food can make or break morale. I've loved Zankou Chicken since moving to LA, and their food on "Prayer" definitely kept the vibe up.
"Turning the prop camera on was a bold decision that paid off, giving conviction to write act two and offering the leads a real chance at redemption."
This piece was shaped from an original conversation (recorded, written, or filmed).
