HeArT
1. Your film is entered in our Best Director Award. What is your film about?
Noelle Joy Sorenson: HeArT is all about relationship. What we go through. How we get in our own way and block out love or allow it. It’s about choices. The choice of love and faith or the choice of fear, control and our own personal baggage.
2. What are your ambitions with your project?
Josh Berresford: Honestly I, myself, had no ambitions. I was flattered to be offered the role without having to audition. It's happened a few time in my career and it's always a blessing. But after I got to watch the film with Noelle, I was pleasantly surprised and it exceeded any expectations that I had at all. Now that it’s kicking ass on the festival circuit, all around the world, I’m still not expecting anything because I don’t like to attach to any results, but it seems to be a great start to our future as we are now partnering to form our production company, Njoy Big Star Productions.
Noelle Joy Sorenson:
My only ambition was to make a good film and to communicate the story that was living
inside me so that I could give something to others, the audience.
3. How was the shooting? What pleasantly surprised you?
Josh Berresford:
The shoot was amazing. Noelle definitely did her pre-shoot work and organizing. I never know what I”m getting myself into when doing an indie film that is low budget, but this was one of the best I’ve been on. Noelle had her vision and I just went along for the ride. The shots were quick, footage was easy to get and we were both 110% into the story and our characters. The crew was great too. So easy and very pleasant to work with.
Noelle Joy Sorenson: It was a great experience. I wore a lot of hats, which was definitely an added challenge. It would be nice to have a line producer and hair and makeup next time, however my skeletal crew was amazing! I was pleasantly surprised by Josh Berresford’s supportive energy as well as Sound Director Zach Travis. It really helped! I was also extremely grateful to get everyone out an hour early. I really had this goal of being ahead of schedule, maybe all those times on
set-seeing the importance of that, not to mention wearing the producer hat on top of things.
4. For what target group is your film?
Noelle Joy Sorenson: HeArT is for an adult audience. Outside of that it’s for everyone. Anyone who wants it. Ideally the message is universal and core. I’m extremely grateful that it has been resonating with people from all over the world, because it truly is about unify.
5. How would you specify your work? What characterizes your film?
Noelle Joy Sorenson: Specify my work? I’m so new, that’s a tuff one to answer..maybe, my work, my voice I guess, but yet not-something that comes thru me not of me if that makes sense yet it passes through me and grabs onto the debris within my soul and that colors things I suppose, how it gives it my voice in a sense. The films are characterized by emotion, raw emotion and shots that help highlight that-with respect to the truth of the story.
6. Why did you decide to become a filmmaker?
Noelle Joy Sorenson:
I became a filmmaker because I at first saw other actors doing it and thought, I can do that-I realized I had stories I wanted to tell. So now that’s what it’s all about. I have stories that I want to tell and hopefully give something to others.
7. Who is your greatest role model?
Noelle Joy Sorenson: I feel like I don’t have a role model. I have many people I truly admire for different reasons, their work ethic, creativity, intellect, talent.
Josh Berresford:
My greatest role model is Reba McEntire. I have admired her work and her entrepreneurship throughout her life and career since I was 15 y/o....there’s nothing she hasn’t done that I know of. TV/Film/theatre and of course her music. I always said if can accomplish 10% of what Reba has accomplished, I’ll die a happy man!
8. Which movies are your favorites? Why?
Noelle Joy Sorenson:
Favorite movies, definitely “Once Upon A Time in Hollywood “is one. Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds”. “Walk the Line.” “Good Will Hunting”. “The Devil Wears Prada”. Coppola’s “The Godfather” Scorsese’s “Mean Streets” And I’d have to put in a little cult film my mom raised me on, “The Warriors”. Honestly, there’s so many. I love so many actors and directors-those are the ones that floated to the top of my mind at the moment.
Josh Berresford: My favorite movies are Beaches, Fight Club, Boogie Nights...I’m sure there’s some more... 12 Years a Slave, Titanic, etc. I love any movie that has a little edge to it, thinks outside the box and moves me in some way. I still can’t watch Beaches without crying and hoping Barbara Hershey’s character (spoiler alert) doesn’t die! Breaks my heart every time.
9. Where do you look for inspiration for your films?
Noelle Joy Sorenson:
Where do I look for inspiration for my films? Within and the juice of life experiences. People.
10. How would you rate current filmmaking?
Noelle Joy Sorenson:
How would I rate current filmmaking? I don’t want to rate it. But...Technology gives accessibility. Story telling, entertainment and style are still everything-so I look for films with those components in today’s cinema.
Josh Berresford: I think current filmmaking is incredible and there are some very creative people that can get shit done, even on a very low budget.
11. What are your next projects?
Josh Berresford:
I have a few things that have already been shot and are either in post production or being shopped around to festivals. Excited about this year and the auditions that are yet come, especially for TV and film.
Noelle Joy Sorenson: I’m really excited about this series I’m writing. I just finished writing the first episode, including edits. Can’t wait to get episode 2 and 3 on paper next and of course shoot it!
Learn more about HeArT at https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23743662/