Tragedy used as Art: Behind the Scenes of “Wrong Way Down” with Errol Teichert
In the heart of Utah’s vibrant film industry, emerging filmmakers like Errol Teichert bring a unique blend of passion and creativity to the screen. After immersing myself in the world of Teichert’s latest short film, “Wrong Way Down,” I had the privilege of interviewing the director to unravel the inspirations, challenges, and collaborative magic that shaped this heartfelt project.
Errol Teichert’s journey into filmmaking is deeply rooted in personal experiences. As he revealed, the poignant story of “Wrong Way Down” found its roots in the filmmaker’s childhood friendship with a remarkable individual named Jamie. Teichert nostalgically shared moments of their bond, emphasizing Jamie’s profound impact on his life.
“She meant the world to me. As we grew up, we drifted, but whenever we talked, played video games, or caught up in general, it was like no time had passed,” said Teichert.
The tragic loss of Jamie in 2021 served as the catalyst for Teichert to channel his grief into art, resulting in the creation of a film dedicated to his cherished friend.
“As I processed and grieved, it became obvious that I wanted to make a film dedicated to my friend. That film became “Wrong Way Down.” I learned a lot making this movie, but above all else I really just hope that I made something she’d be proud of. I just want to do right by my friend.”
The casting process for “Wrong Way Down” proved to be a delicate dance of finding actors who could authentically embody the characters while navigating the emotional weight of the narrative.
“At the end of the day, I had to divorce the character from the person in my mind, or I wasn’t going to be able to properly cast her. I wanted someone who captured Jamie’s goodness, and I got a BUNCH of great tapes from actresses who all would have done just that.”
Teichert highlighted the significance of casting Aaron Jahn as Matt, a character mirroring the director’s own vulnerabilities. Alissa Bair, cast as Jordyn, faced the additional challenge of capturing the essence of Jamie’s goodness. Teichert’s decision to cast Alissa, based on their previous collaboration and deep discussions about the script, added a unique flavor to the film while staying true to the character’s core.
The challenges of shooting guerrilla-style in a crowded park became apparent during the production of “Wrong Way Down.” Teichert humorously recounted encounters with a persistent dirt bike rider on the first day and the unexpected intrusion of a lively party on the second day. Despite facing these Murphy’s Law moments, the team’s resilience and creative editing techniques triumphed over the challenges, ensuring the film maintained its intended tone.
“We sent our 1st AD over to the dirt biker and offer him some snacks to do that somewhere else. Kid took the snacks, and continued to ride the thing around close to us. We just had to work around it in the edit by pulling all the lines from different takes. If only that had been all we had to deal with.”
Teichert’s commitment to continuous learning shone through as he discussed the lessons gleaned from “Wrong Way Down.” The revelation of being a “two-take kind of guy” reflected his desire to keep the creative process dynamic and efficient. He candidly acknowledged the inevitability of making mistakes in the collaborative medium of filmmaking, expressing gratitude to his team for their patience and contributions to bringing the stories to life.
“I want to take a moment to personally thank every person from each of my projects for being patient with me and helping to make these stories a reality. Making movies is hard, and I’ve been blessed to work with some wonderful people on each project I’ve done.”
For Teichert, the collaborative aspect of production was a standout highlight. He spoke fondly of working with cinematographer Cassidy Henderson, 1st AD JoJo Harper, and sound experts Jacob Meaker and James Kettle. The camaraderie with the cast, particularly Aaron and Alissa, infused the set with light and fun, even in the midst of the film’s heavy themes.
“This is a heavy movie, but they brought a lot of light and fun to set. It’s also fun to see them onscreen together. There’s a wordless moment where the two characters are watching movies, and they made that little moment one of the standouts in the film. All of this is to say that I love working with people, and I love all the different life that they bring to production.”
As the interview concluded, Teichert teased his upcoming project, “Meat Cute,” promising a thrilling and enjoyable experience.
“I’m not sure if Aaron will forgive me for making him get rejected in two movies and blood-drenched in one, but we’ll have to see.”
Audiences interested in keeping up with Teichert’s ventures can find him on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and occasionally Twitter.
I am grateful for the insightful conversation with Errol Teichert and eagerly anticipate the blood-soaked excitement promised in ‘Meat Cute’. As the Utah film scene continues to expand, these behind-the-scenes stories illuminate the passion and dedication of filmmakers shaping the cinematic landscape. Now it’s time for me to head out to the find the next story behind the scenes of local filmmakers.
About Errol Teichert
Born in Orem, UT, and raised in Blaine, WA, writer and director Errol Teichert has always been about movies. After a strong debut with the award-winning “Meet Me in My Dreams,” Teichert graduated with a degree in screenwriting from Utah Valley University, and works as an editor for VidVictory in Lehi, UT.
About Warren Workman:
Warren Workman is the founder of the Utah International Film Festival. Workman’s passion is to share the stories of the filmmakers behind the movies and to encourage the next generation of filmmakers. Workman provides these services through ReelVibe PR.
