Eight Goan actors,
eight separate locations and one director, that’s all it took to bring
‘Lockdown’ a short film together. Written, edited and directed by Sancoale
based Joywin Fernandes, the cast includes Dr. Kiran Shenvi Kerker, Sonika
Shetye, Kevin D’Mello, Kerryann Albuquerque, Aggi Rod, Nancy D’Costa, Bushka
D’Souza and Brijesh Kakodkar.
Joywin explains how he
got the idea, “Tiatrist Ben Evangelisto gave me the idea that we should make a
film by being at home. I wrote the story in two hours, did the casting in mind
while writing and told them to shoot on the same day. So technically, the film
was conceived and completed on the same day. The themes which I have shown are
very much related to the current situation. When you are making a film on real
situations or real people, the story just comes out naturally.”
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Since Joywin was not
available to direct each actor, he had to minutely instruct them on what he
needed from each scene. ”To my surprise it was easy. I have worked with all the
actors before. Some have worked with me and with others, I had done some shoots
so I knew how to direct them. I told them where they have to look at the camera
and what props to use. For instance, use the same colour blanket or a
similar-looking vegetable bag for the continuity in the scene,” says
Fernandes.
Kevin D‘Mello shares his
experience, “It was not easy to act when your opposite co-star is not present
in front of you for reactions, but Joywin explained the concept very well and
told me what to do in the kitchen scene and thankfully I got it right. I had to
play the role of a technician as well by using a camera and light creatively
which was guided on phone by Joywin. I managed to do it as I used my experience
of four films working with him. My dad Cezar helped me and my mom Lydia got the
kitchen ready for me.“
This is the first time
Bushka D’Souza worked with Joywin. “The shooting was done within a few hours
and it wasn’t like any regular shoot. It was unique in its own way. No opposite
actors, it was more of imagination coming alive with next-level creativity. It
was really fun because you have no idea what’s happening on all the other sides
of the story. Secondly, my parts were shot on my iPhone which is so different
from facing professional cameras.
Waiting for the final
outcome was the most exciting yet nervous moment of my life. Even though I have
full faith in Joywin’s potential and his brilliance, the final outcome had been
loved and appreciated by all. There’s no better way of spreading awareness of
staying home by actually doing an entire film with a cast of eight actors by
staying home. This is the most memorable work I have ever done in my entire
career,” says D’Souza.
Brijesh Kakodkar plays
the role opposite Bushka in the film with his own style of humour. ”Lockdown’
was definitely a different experience. I was one of the first members with whom
Joywin shared this idea. I was really excited because something coming from
Joywin is always fun to work with. He immediately sent me my script and I
didn’t know what part the other actors were playing or what was the entire film
was about and how it was all connected. I tried my level best to shoot my part.
Joywin explained what he is looking out for properly. When I saw the film, I
didn’t know it would be so good and everything was so well connected. Even with
so many limitations, the continuity of the film is maintained. It was a good
experience even though we were not together on one set, all the co-actors were
still feeling united,” he adds.
Joywin Fernandes is
very happy with the response the film has received. ”It was a short film but
the feel of it was just like any other theatre film. I was nervous and excited
at the same time. But when Brijesh and Bushka texted me on the same night
giving their reactions, I was happy and relaxed. From the next day, everyone started
giving their positive response which was nice”
