The Filmmakers of Past the Past

We were able to chat with the filmmakers of Past the Past which will be screening at the Towne Hub in American Fork Utah as part of the Utah Film Festival. 

Past the Past starts after a fatal accident, Brad must decide if his time traveling abilities are enough to save his girlfriend’s life.

What was the inspiration to make Past the Past?

Paul Bacera (Producer): A couple years ago I was completely in love with this girl, I thought she was absolutely perfect and that she was the one… she didn’t feel the same way. It was a struggle trying to get over her. I kept trying to convince myself that if I just stuck around long enough, through some act of the gods and a miracle, she would have a change of heart.

Of course, it never happened. I had to learn that there are things out of your control. You have to let go and keep moving forward. Additionally, the concept of time and time travel has always been one that intrigues me. I love time travel movies and movies that deal with controlling time. The film was partly inspired by two of my favorite films of all time “Your Name” and “About Time”

Mike Bacera (Writer): there were obvious inspirations: Erased, Steins Gate, even “happy Death day” and “avengers: end game”, and of course, Groundhog day. I think each of those pieces of media left a mark on the script, some even named directly in the script.

From idea to completion, how did Past the Past change?

Mike Bacera (Writer): The first draft of the script was rather straightforward, but I had the rather big headed idea to try to make it more scientifically sound.

I had been researching a lot of string theory for another production I was writing for, and decided, somewhat haphazardly, to incorporate some of it into this script. That turned out to be a much bigger task than I originally thought, and really caused a lot of friction and misunderstanding between Paul, the other writer.

In the end, even though we had to resort to some hand waving science, we were able to make the story, the time loop, resolve in a way that was coherent with the internal logic of the world we wrote. With a lot of rewrites.

Clint Brooks (DP): One of the ideas that the director Kody and I discussed was using longer and longer focal lengths as our main character continues to loop through time. 

The intent was to have a visual change to both give the audience a visual cue that they are in a new time loop, as well as to represent the sense of being lost through time. Physically moving the camera further away from the character and using longer lenses is something the audience should hopefully feel. Whether or not this translated well to the story is up for debate. We also discussed doing a matching shot cut for each time loop, however it was changed in the edit, likely for the best.

What was the biggest challenge in getting Past the Past made? 

Mike Bacera (Writer): For my part, it was the editing and rewrites. I had written myself into a theoretical hole, and now I had to write my way out of it.  The story was really found in the editing. And, because of the time looping nature, editing backwards and forwards through the loops.

Kody Newton (Director): Some of the time timing was off to align everyone at the same time. This is the issue with shooting on weekends or waiting for cherry blossoms to bloom. Luckily everyone was flexible and made the movie more important than their time.

Landon Kasten (Producer): We didn’t have many challenges. We had a great cast and crew that made things easy and memorable.  Of course, there would always be the occasional issues with locations or scheduling, but that is normal with any film. Everything went smooth in the end. The whole production was incredible, and I am so blessed to have had a part in making it.

Clint Brooks (DP): I found that the lack of resources to create and shape the lighting made it difficult to get the exact image that I wanted for the story,  and plenty of compromises were made (especially for our exterior shots). That being said, creativity comes from constraints and this presented an opportunity to think outside the box and how we approached shooting the film.

What do you think is the most important takeaway from your film?

Paul (Producer): The film is all about letting go of the past. Letting go of things that you can’t control. You can’t live your life dwelling on your mistakes, tribulations, and failures.  Whether it be a relationship, a bad career choice, or a tragedy in the family, we eventually need to learn to move on and not let our feelings and our past consume us. Live life to the fullest and live in the present.

Mike (Writer): this film was the first time hearing my words spoken on screen. When I write, I have an internal monologue that plays each character’s voice. Maybe more like an internal dialogue, and to actually hear and see that dialogue that, until that point, had only lived in my head, was literal magic. My poor girlfriend had to hold me as she cried.

Kody (Director): I’m obsessed with our idea of control. We think that we have the power to control everything when that need for control can really take away from living and loving to the fullest. I was so happy to direct Past the Past because it explored these same themes and teaches us a little along the way.

Landon (Producer): The biggest takeaway that I can think of is being patient. Trust in those around you and have faith that things will come together and turn out great. This film was great because everyone applied trust within each other.The film was powerful and the message was something that can apply deep within us all. Life is never easy but don’t ever give up and know that you can’t change the process just learn to grow from it.  Enjoy the time spent with the loved ones and cherish those moments. I am truly grateful that I got to be involved and cherish the moments with these truly amazing people.

Clint (DP): My friend Spencer Wilson, who gaffed on this production for us, tragically died in a car accident before we wrapped shooting. Spencer was a lifesaver on this  production for the days he spent with us. This film will always remind me of him, and it reminds me how important people and crew members are as individuals, because one person can make a huge difference on set – both in their work and the spirit that they bring to the production.

If you could have a do over with Past the Past, is there anything that you would have done differently? If so, what would you change?

Kody (Director): I would have tried to shoot the film in 4 days straight instead of 4 separate weekends. Each time we came back, it felt like we had lost the energy that we had built up the week before. There are so many distractions in the world today that shooting straight through lets you listen to the soul of the film easier.

Clint (DP): There are a few scenes that I would have approached the lighting or camera work differently, especially if we had more budget than we did. I also would have chosen a different time of day to shoot some scenes.  However, on a film of this budget, those kinds of luxuries aren’t always possible, and you have to make-do with what you have at the moment.

What do you have in the works?

Kody (Director): I am directing 2 feature films in 2023. The first is an action rom com set during Christmas starring Darcy DeMoss (Can’t Buy Me Love, Friday the 13th Part 6) called “Hitman for the Holidays” and the second, “2:59”, is a coming of age horror film about two teens trying to get rid of a demonic presence that haunts their adjacent rooms. Based on a true story.

Clint (DP): Paul and I are hoping to shoot a fan film utilizing virtual production and unreal engine over the next few months.

Paul (Producer): Me, Clint, and Landon are going to film a Star Wars fan film.