An in-depth exclusive conversation with writer, director, cinematographer, and co-editor NIAV CONTY talking the very big film, SMALL TIME.
Written and Directed by NIAV CONTY and starring Audrey Grace Marshall, Holter Graham, Dominique Johnson, and Kevin Loreque, SMALL TIME is the story of Emma, a young girl who may be growing up in poverty and facing hardships, but who never loses her resilience or her courage.
Set in rural America amidst the ever-growing opioid crisis, the “War of Terror”, immigration battles, and more, it is through young Emma’s eyes and heart that we see what truly shapes us as people. With an addict for a mother who dies early in Emma’s young life, Emma is truly one who exists through the kindness, or forced obligations, of others. As Emma, Audrey Grace Marshall opens our eyes with a child’s wide-eyed innocence and wisdom, holding a mirror up to each of us and asking the question “who have we become?”. With a keen visual and emotional eye, Conty brings Emma’s world to life, keeping us in her POV and her eyeline, while using color and light to emotionally place us in Emma’s shoes. Hopeful and inspiring, SMALL TIME is anything but small in its storytelling and its voice.
I spoke at length with Conty in this exclusive interview covering everything from casting to location to wearing a multiplicity of hats, to working with such a young lead actress, to Conty’s visual design through cinematography making the most of natural light and framing, to score, to shooting over the course of several years in order to show Emma growing up and still be able to have Marshall portray her, and so much more.
TAKE A LISTEN. . .
by debbie elias, exclusive interview 11/9/2021
