Eden: An Interview with Lester Lubuguin

Please start by telling us a bit about yourself. How did you become interested in cinema, and how did you learn the craft of filmmaking?

I’ve been interested in film since I was a child. I would watch a bunch of movies as a child with my family and that shaped my childhood. Ever since then I knew that I wanted to get into filmmaking, despite my parents disapproval. I went into film school and have been working in the industry ever since.

How did the idea for EDEN come about? Was it your idea, or did it come from your co-writer, Jenna Dalanyi?

It was my idea. I was on Hinge and I was joking around with one of my matches about being a sugar daddy but she thought I was being serious. That formed the seed of the idea.

When you first get an idea, what's your very first step? What stages do you go through before you feel the idea is ready to become a screenplay?

I usually start with tone and what type of film I want to make. I gather a bunch of films that will help me set the tone and style that I’m going for and use that for inspiration. Clearly, I was heavily inspired by “Under the Skin” with “Eden”. After that I think of the theme and what I want to say with the film and “big” moments that help the film standout.

Tell us about the writing process for EDEN. How did you develop the script, and how many drafts did you write to get to the final version?

We ended up with 11 drafts before we got to the final version. I would write after my full-time job as an editor in the TV Industry.

How did you find your actors? How much time do you dedicate to rehearsals before filming begins?

Me and Jenna met on the set of a TV show I was working on. She told me she didn’t have a reel cause she hasn’t starred in a short film before, only background work. I thought she was a really good actress so I told her about the idea and wrote the part specifically for her. I found Doug through Jenna’s agent and it just clicked. We did a few days of rehearsals before filming so we were all on the same page about tone.

What was the most challenging part of making EDEN?

I realized one the first shoot day how hard it was balancing both directing and producing on the day. I had to cut a lot of shots just to get enough footage to make a complete film. We ended up not getting everything and I had to add a third shoot day a month later that wasn’t planned. I had to pay that entire day on credit just to get it done.

What was the reaction from those who have seen the film?

Everyone loves it. For a first time filmmaker I’m very proud of the work me and crew did, but I definitely feel like I can do better on the next one!

Do you see making short films as a stepping stone to making a feature-length film?

Yes, absolutely. I know what I need to improve on as a director and writer and I know the value of having a good producer to help with anything that pops up during shooting. It was hard for me to focus on directing when I had my “producer” hat on.

If possible, please tell us about your next project.

I’m working on another short film about a girl trying to find her younger sister who has been kidnapped by a cult. But the only evidence she has is a VHS tape of a cult performing a ritual that she thinks is her sister.