Hi, I’m Spling, and we are about to delve into the intricate world of Mind Thief. I’m joined by producer, co-writer, and lead actress, Angelique Pretorius.
Hi.
Angelique, thank you for joining me. It’s so wonderful to have you in this interview, and we are going to be talking about all the ins and outs of the twisty film Mind Thief.
Where did you come up with this concept? Because I just found it so fascinating and so upbeat and interesting and quirky and fun and enjoyable.
I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you! The concept for the movie we created was heavily influenced by our accessible filming locations. Interestingly enough, my producing partner and co-writer, Matt Steinauer, lived or lives next door to me. We were fortunate to have two apartments that faced each other, which we knew would be perfect for our project.
We’ve just seen “Rear Window,” Hitchcock’s masterwork, which inspired some intriguing ideas about voyeurism and the enigma surrounding those observations. Not to mention the theme of mind control, highly pertinent in today’s world, particularly given our current global situation.
In my perspective, the balance between fact and fabrication is a highly relevant topic nowadays. It’s concerning how much misinformation circulates, often disguised by enticing headlines that people might not delve deeper into. This could be seen as a form of mind manipulation, whether it’s through propaganda or, in this case, a more localized manifestation of it.
People feeding you what you need to believe rather than…
Yeah, I’m totally getting that. And you mentioned Hitchcock’s Rear Window. What other form references? I feel like there are quite a few easter eggs or whatever they call them.
Yeah, so, exactly. Well, the Hitchcock style we tried to, at least Matt who directed it, tried to emulate with the kind of lens choices, more of a classical approach to filming. And then the… What did you call them? Easter eggs?
Yeah.
At one instance, my friend and publisher tells me, “You’re similar to Tyler Durden.” To which I respond, “I don’t wish to be like Tyler Durden.” This character is reminiscent of the protagonist in the movie Fight Club. This is significant because my character uncovers a hidden life throughout the story.
In addition, there’s a clever nod that might not be immediately obvious to most viewers. Towards the end, on the computer monitor, you see various software applications displayed.
This is referred to as both Falcon’s Puzzle and Lana’s Maze, a nod to the labyrinth known as Falcon’s Maze from the movie War Games. In essence, these connections tie back to the theme of this particular film. As for additional details, I believe that covers it.
As a dedicated movie enthusiast and film aficionado, Matt and I have consistently aimed to honor our favorite movies through our projects. Now, regarding Matt, collaborating on the screenplay was an exceptional experience – it was my inaugural attempt at such endeavor.
As an enthusiast, I never truly imagined myself diving headfirst into the world of scriptwriting. But boy, has it been an exhilarating ride! Somehow, we’ve found a natural flow in our collaboration—a spontaneous agreement that whoever comes up with an idea and wishes to pen the screenplay gets the chance. It’s been a fantastic journey so far!
Instead of just creating their own story, they collaborate closely with another person throughout every stage, ready to discuss any detail at any time. It’s like we both inhabit this fictional world together, which is not only enjoyable but also a unique experience. Given the complexity of our story, complete with numerous twists and turns, this process proved to be an engaging challenge that required striking a balance between maintaining structure and fostering creative spontaneity.
Engaging both logical and creative aspects of my brain was truly enjoyable, and I’m thankful for being introduced to the realm of filmmaking. It’s been an absolute pleasure!
And did you write it knowing that you were going to be playing the lead role?
Absolutely.
And what was it like doing that? Because you are sort of almost crafting a film that’s going to play to your strengths, but it’s also a film that’s going to push you.
When Matt suggested we should have you by the pool in a bikini, I replied affirmatively. To be honest, it’s all about serving the story for me. Whatever the tale demanded, I would have been thrilled to oblige. You see, I’ve had plenty of acting experience, so my emotional arsenal is well-honed and readily accessible for whatever role is required. Essentially, I was seeking an intriguing protagonist who could embark on a fascinating voyage.
I suggested to him that she might have an interest in yoga, which could become part of her morning activities as she explores this other aspect of her life. To make things interesting, we decided to use a trapeze yoga mat for some fun swings. This turned out to be quite a challenge due to the upside-down positioning; I’ll share more about that experience later on.
After trying out several things, I eventually developed headaches and had red eyes, reminiscent of Robert De Niro’s character in the film “Cape Fear” who delivers a monologue upside down, we attempted to replicate this for me. However, it ended up making me look like a startled chipmunk after consuming some sort of eye-widening drugs, and the shot was promptly removed from the movie. In the end, I just went with the flow, learned what worked and didn’t work for me as I progressed in this manner.
Yeah. I mean, I was kind of asked how many takes it took to get that right in the beginning because it actually is an impressive feat.
As a movie goer who enjoys a good challenge, I must say thank you! When I attempted the yoga scene, I thought it’d be a breeze given my headstand practice. Boy, was I wrong! Being upside down for extended periods and then quickly switching between up and down left me feeling quite dizzy. It seemed like my body wasn’t getting its usual decompression from the blood flow. So, let’s just say it took more takes than I anticipated, but at one point I insisted, “This is the moment! We need to capture it now!” It was an exhilarating experience nonetheless!
And, I mean, you started as an actor and you’ve moved into the space of producing and writing and directing now, so you’ve got a really versatile array of experience across the board now in so many different productions. And my question is really about the whole process of taking this film from conception to final cut and I understand it was self-funded. Is that correct?
Yes.
What was it like? What were some of the challenges of actually taking this product from inception to the screen?
To be honest, this was my debut experience, so I wasn’t entirely familiar with all the aspects of the production because I’ve mostly been on-camera, lucky enough to see the finished product straight away.
For the very first time, I embarked on the journey of assembling an exceptional team, carefully selecting actors capable of bringing each character to life in a captivating manner. I couldn’t be more thrilled with our final choices. Moreover, producing was merely a stepping stone towards my ultimate goal for me.
While I didn’t find myself completely enamored with it, its novelty played a role. We interacted extensively with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) in America, dealing with various aspects like insurance and other details. Additionally, the act of shooting was particularly tough for me as I had to juggle multiple roles, such as ensuring the craft was ready one moment, and then switching gears to cry on cue the next.
I’m grateful for my background as an actress, as without it, I might have found acting daunting or incredibly stressful during my early days. Instead, it felt therapeutic for me to immerse myself in a character, perform, and then face whatever the next challenge came along.
Actually, it wasn’t too terrible, but it was certainly a significant hurdle for me. However, watching the rest of the production process unfold afterwards was truly exciting. For instance, figuring out the sounds like placing a glass on a table or footsteps, which contribute to the sound effects (foley) and dialog replacement (ADR), really made a difference in enhancing the final product. At times, I may have worried unnecessarily about certain things not being perfect initially, but then I understood that those aspects are addressed during post-production.
Of course, not all issues can be resolved during post-production, but watching the film’s development into a richer, more intricate piece was truly captivating. Each stage seemed to add another layer, enhancing the overall quality, as if with each pass. Moreover, it’s incredible to witness so many gifted individuals contributing their talents on set. The primary insight I gained was a profound respect for the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the indispensable role that each individual plays in the process.
I believe it would be beneficial for everyone involved – crew, actors, producers, writers – to swap roles for a day, to gain insight into each other’s challenges and appreciate their unique contributions. Additionally, we encountered an unexpected challenge: we began filming prior to COVID-19, paused for six months, and then resumed. This pause resulted in our actors having noticeable physical changes that were not anticipated.
Individuals were accumulating mass, sprouting facial hair, tanning under the sun. Fortunately, everything seemed to fall into place effortlessly, and it’s unlikely anyone would notice. However, it was a minor, unexpected, perhaps odd predicament we encountered.
Yeah, what you’re saying about sound is so true because it really creates this lush environment for an immersive environment for film. And I watched a documentary where it basically said there are about eight layers to the soundtrack and people don’t realise that as audiences just how important it is. I watched a student feature film the other day and there was an issue with the sound and the punches were not landing.
So the scuffles were just these awkward sort of moments where they didn’t have people ripping material or whatever to create the punch sounds, which is what they do. And also it was a thriller, but it came across like a comedy because now you didn’t have that suspense and intensity to the whole thing. That leads me on to a question I wanted to ask you.
In terms of the film psychological thriller, there’s a little bit of, I would say, romantic comedy in there. I mean it’s a very eclectic kind of genre film and I’m sure that must have created a little bit of trouble with the elevator pitch where you’re trying to explain exactly what it is to someone because it’s not like anything else out there. It’s kind of like a detective story, but it’s quirky and fun and enjoyable and light and then dark at the same time. And yeah, it’s amazing. So what is the elevator pitch, would you say, and how would you describe this genre mix?
Let me briefly return to your discussion about sound in films. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Donald Petrie, the director known for “Mystic Pizza” and “Miss Congeniality,” among others. He shared an interesting insight: he tells his students, who I believe teach part-time, that a film can be considered professional based on its sound quality. I wholeheartedly agree with this perspective.
Indeed, the mix of genres was quite diverse. In today’s world, where repetition and formula seem common in many films, it’s refreshing to blend genres and challenge expectations, offering something unexpected to viewers.
I found myself greatly enjoying “The Barbarian,” particularly when it transitions into a hilarious blend of horror and comedy around halfway through. It’s as if you’re watching two distinct films meshed together, which some viewers might not appreciate, but I found absolutely captivating. Additionally, the movie includes elements of sci-fi mystery, dark comedy, and suspenseful thriller, as you correctly pointed out.
As a passionate cinephile, I wholeheartedly agree that the conventional “elevator pitch” approach often feels forced and oversimplified, like trying to neatly categorize a complex work of art with a quick comparison to existing films. However, when you immerse yourself in our production, you’ll find that the seemingly disparate genres we’ve blended actually complement each other beautifully, creating a unique cinematic experience. Luckily, since it was self-funded, we didn’t have to resort to the typical Hollywood pitching tactics.
Regarding its sale, it may or may not pose challenges, but I believe that certain individuals, specifically those who are receptive to such content, might find value in this particular movie genre.
You know, what came to mind as we were speaking about this is the film Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang with Robert Downey Jr., which has got that detective element, but then it’s cheeky and it’s funny and it’s a little bit silly and it’s very playful. I think that kind of tonally is kind of similar, but then yours has got the sci-fi and then the mind control thing.
Yeah, it’s just such a fun film. I’m sure you must have enjoyed working on it. And your performance is just such an all-round performance.
Participating in the writing process for acting roles provided me with a deep comprehension of the character’s motivations and development, which I believe significantly enhanced my performance. In other words, this collaboration allowed me to truly grasp the character’s story and emotional journey, offering valuable insights that greatly improved my acting skills.
When discussing her background, let me be upfront: Some hardcore fans who focus heavily on characters’ backstories might find this approach surprising. To clarify, I don’t typically construct an intricate backstory unless it directly influences the character’s present actions and traits. Conversely, I prefer to work from the present outwards by establishing characteristics like my character’s unwavering determination and courage in seeking truth, which might lead them to do things that I myself would never consider.
Where does her bravery originate? The story hints that her parents vanished, which led me to ponder the significance of this event in her life and how it might have influenced her relentless pursuit of detective work. Why is she so determined to act as an unofficial sleuth, and where does she find the courage for such endeavors?
And was it a sort of heavy kind of performance or that you sort of had to really uncloak at the end of the day and do you feel like you’ve maybe still got a part of her with you? Is any of that happening?
It’s an insightful query you’ve posed. As an actor, I find it challenging to come back to myself after fully embodying a character, especially when the material is intense or distressing. This process seems to be overlooked in our field, and often actors lack the necessary tools to reconnect with their own selves post-immersion. For instance, I worked on a film titled “Stilte” where I had to delve into some very dark, troubled areas, and afterwards, I found myself more emotional than typical and needed a brief moment to regain my balance.
However, due to my repeated practice, I can swiftly adapt to a technical state when needed on set, while still ensuring authenticity and emotion. Quickly getting ‘into the zone’ is crucial, but I didn’t have the opportunity for extended preparation before each scene, like I might normally do in a trailer.
I’ve been switching back and forth, and it was quite a tough task, but I figured out it can definitely be done. What I found remarkable is its achievability.
I kept going on and off, and it was a real struggle, but I discovered that it’s possible. The amazing part is that it can actually be done.
Yeah. Because you’re walking this as a character, you’re walking this line of vulnerability and manipulation with that whole mind control situation. But then it’s also a very physical kind of performance.
I mean, you’re sort of running and then the opening scene. What was the most sort of demanding thing about this role?
To put it another way, monitoring not only the stage setting but also her mental state during the performance was crucial. We needed to know when she was fully aware, when she was under the influence, and so on. Similarly, other characters would often question us about their lucidity. This could be amusing at times as we had to adjust our storylines to account for where we were in the narrative. Additionally, I had a chance to perform some action scenes which added excitement to my role.
I need to go for a jog, as Matt showed me the correct running technique because I suspect I never truly mastered it. Plus, I once acted in an Afrikaans series where my character was a tough villain and I had to sprint.
Terrorist.
Indeed, I found myself acting like a ballerina gracefully dancing across the floor, but then I realized, this wasn’t suitable for the situation at hand. Fortunately, I quickly shifted gears and switched into my running mode instead.
It looked great.
Thank you so much.
Action hero moment.
Interestingly, it’s quite tough when they request you to reduce your pace since the camera can’t catch up with you. This means you need to move at only half your usual speed, yet still appear as if you’re sprinting vigorously.
So it’s funny how technical it can actually get. Yeah. So it was really fun to do all that.
And I really enjoy the character, the actor and character of Walter. I’ve forgotten the actor’s name now.
Michael Ty.
Michael Ty. He’s phenomenal. He made me think of Robin Williams in this role. Maybe a little bit Fisher King kind of thing going on, but just such a charismatic and interesting bad guy. Yeah. He was amazing.
Indeed, I concur with your sentiments. Interestingly, films are often as strong as their villains, so finding him proved fortunate for us.
Interestingly, he had stepped away from acting for a while, but recently returned to the spotlight. Notably, he was part of the Pirates of the Caribbean series.
In the initial part, he played an important role and did exceptionally well. It was evident why they chose him for it. He portrayed a character that was British, specifically the one in the cage who attempted to retrieve or negotiate for a key from the dog.
By chance, he was both free and eager to take on this role, and his acting was incredibly realistic yet nuanced. What stood out to me was its complexity; it skillfully conveyed his vulnerability, especially since his character uses a wheelchair.
This version maintains the original meaning but simplifies some of the phrases for easier reading and understanding.
Indeed, the intricacy added an extra layer of appeal that I found fascinating. Plus, the surprising turn of events at the climax evoked genuine empathy. Absolutely.
So Mind Thief explores themes of memory, deception and identity. And I wanted to find out from you how that changed your approach to taking on this role of Christine.
Absolutely. In this film, the central themes resonated deeply within the character I portrayed. The deception, in particular, was a pivotal element that spurred my actions and had profound repercussions. Indeed, my personal identity has influenced my memories, but it’s the reality of being falsely accused and framed that stirred the most emotional turmoil for me as an actor.
What struck me as being the primary motivator for her, and it’s this aspect that resonated with me the most when it comes to that particular theme.
Yeah. It did make me think of Groundhog Day
, that sort of rinse and repeat sort of like cycle.
Exactly. Exactly. Yeah. No, so much fun.
And, you know, what part of Mind Thief would you say, I mean, it just covers so many different bases. I wanted to find out from you, what are you most proud of from bringing this film to life?
It’s wonderful that we can take pride in the product we’ve crafted, as it turns out to be something we genuinely find entertaining. Often enough, when I sit down to watch it, I find myself drawn in despite my initial intentions, and it’s always a joy to revisit.
I need to tell you this. I’ve watched it at least, I think I’m on three now.
Oh, wow.
But it’s, it’s a film you can watch again and again and you pick up new little bits and pieces. Sorry to interrupt you.
That’s quite flattering! Thank you for your kind words. I still do find myself drawn to it, and each viewing seems to reveal new aspects that I appreciate. You know, independent filmmaking is truly a labor of love, and I can’t help but feel proud of everyone who contributed to this production at the party.
As mentioned before, it’s quite challenging, requiring ingenuity and determination, especially for projects spanning a long timeframe. Yet, we managed to complete the task and produce a film that appears to have been well-liked. We’ve traveled through various film festivals and what’s most important is that we ourselves are proud of it.
And it’s won some awards. I understand for the screenplay and yourself as an actor.
Indeed, indeed! Let me express my gratitude. Your work has been admirably well-executed, a true privilege and delight to witness its creation. Sharing a creative piece with the world feels like a tremendous blessing, and discovering one’s unique voice and filmmaking style is an inspiration beyond measure. The endless possibilities of self-expression fill me with joy, as it has opened my eyes to the vast potential that awaits.
Initially, I must admit I felt quite apprehensive about it. To be fair, it was something novel, but as time went on, I realized it could indeed be done. What I’m particularly proud of, though, is our determination throughout the entire process.
It does have a lot of grit. And I think the, the casting worked so well and everyone’s bringing their all to the characters and it really just shines through. but I understand that you are also moving into the world of directing and have got a short film. Do you want to tell us about. Where that’s headed and what you’re up to.
Indeed, your question is duly appreciated. To clarify, I am currently in the midst of directing a project. In fact, it’s my first short film that I both wrote and produced, and I even took on the role as an actor. As for whether this was a prudent decision, I remain uncertain.
Look out Clint Eastwood.
It was incredibly rewarding to see my creative ideas manifest in this project I worked on. I was involved in both the visual elements and the music, and it felt like bringing a part of myself to life. The experience was truly satisfying, and I might use it as a pitch for a feature-length adaptation, although right now it’s written to be a short film with dark comedy and thriller elements, featuring intricate plots and unexpected twists.
I believe it’ll offer an engaging exploration into a specific genre style. Exactly, what Matt and I aimed for with “Mind Thief” was to always respect the audience by providing a rich, multi-faceted experience – one that touches the heart and mind, as well as appeals to artistic sensibilities through its visuals and sound.
What I’ve grown to love, and I believe I’m now equally captivated by, is crafting tales that both astonish and provoke your viewers while also providing them with an emotional payoff. One aspect that truly resonates about Mind Thief is its potential for a cinematic experience that shines most on the big screen.
The movie truly encapsulates the essence of cinema-going, featuring the thrill, the grandeur, the interactive quality, as it’s quite an immersive film. To put it another way, it’s like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube in your mind; it challenges you while also offering moments for light-hearted amusement. Plus, there’s the added bonus of popcorn enjoyment, as the movie doesn’t get too intense that you can’t sneak in a chuckle or two.
So it really is like one of these films that’s rewatchable. That is a bit like a film. My dad loves called Stake Out in terms of Richard Dreyfus and Emilio Estevez staking out this apartment. There’s fun. There’s, um, interest. There’s intrigue. There’s a high engagement and very high rewatchable sort of level to it. So really an all rounder performance and an all rounder film.
So, uh, yeah, that was very beautifully said and I very much appreciate it. Thank you so much.
Are you coming back to South Africa to make some films?
I hope so. I really do.
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2025-02-26 13:44