Susanne Wiegner
German filmmaker
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Interview:10 questions
*1. Tell me something about your life and the educational background*
I have studied interior design and architecture at the Academy of Fine Art in Munich and at Pratt Institute in New York.
*2. When, how and why started you filming?*
When I learned to handle different CAD software, I was fascinated by the possibilities of creating 3d-worlds. So I started to visualize my ideas by virtual movements through spaces and buildings.
*3. What kind of subjects have your films?*
The transformation of literature, memories or thoughts into virtual spaces by keeping the balance among fantastic and realistic components. I like the combination of past and present ideas.
*4. How do you develop your films, do you follow certain principles, styles etc?*
Usually I start with an idea and concept but somehow each film project becomes an adventurous expedition. I intend to create animated films, that don’t imitate the reality as accurately as possible, but reflects a certain self-contained virtual aesthetics, which is not rooted in any elaborated technique but in poetry or creative spirit. I prefer a minimalist style.
*5. Tell me something about the technical equipment you use.*
Blender, Magix
*6. What are the chances of new media for the genre film/video in general* *and you personally?*
Everybody is able to visualize his ideas and publish them online without the need of galleries, museums and cinemas.
For me it means a certain independence because I don’t need a crew or a big budget to create and distribute my films.*
7. How do you finance your films?*
self-financed*
8. Do you work individually as a video artist/film maker or do you work in a team? if you have experience in both, what is the difference, what do you prefer?*
Concerning my films, I have no experiences in teamwork, but I guess it is both, inspiring and stressful. As I am very flexible not only in developing my projects but also in my working process, I prefer working individually at the moment.*
9. Who or what has a lasting influence on your film/video making?*
Literature (Franz Kafka, Edgar Allan Poe, Jules Verne …). Old silent movies like “le voyage dans la lune” by George Méliès or the old Twilight Zone episodes.*
10. What are your future plans or dreams as a film/video maker?*
That I will always get enough time and money to create my animated films and that they will receive a worldwide audience.*
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Can works of yours viewed online besides on VideoChannel? Where?
List some links & resources
my website
www.susannewiegner.de
the trailer of my film “expeditio — journey of the mind into virtual space”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqSjinoMCNQ
my visualization of Kafka’s Metamorphosis
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6689695483944531699
on vimeo
http://www.vimeo.com/user1375361