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Sunshine Anytime: An Interview with Michael Bitanga

Please tell us about the projects you worked on before making ‘Sunshine Anytime. How did you start, and how did you learn to make films? I’ve filmed six projects before Sunshine Anytime: Delivery, Stay, Azraelle, Epilogue, Shirley, and Relapse. They range from Horror to Comedy to Sci-Fi and more–but I find that my comfort zone is in the Horror, Thriller, and Drama genres.

I’ve been a film geek pretty much my entire life, and I tried to make a couple of short films when I was 19 years old. Not much experience and they were pretty bad–but they were very fun to shoot! Since then I started reviewing films and covered film festivals (mainly SDIFF and SDAFF). I also started entering short screenplay competitions in my late 20s. But I finally circled back to making films in 2020. The pandemic hit, and there was nothing to do besides drink and workout–so I threw filmmaking into the mix. I started writing shorts that I could film and rounded up my friends to make the first one since I was 19: Delivery.

I learned to make films by watching them. And re-watching them. And then going to YouTube for “Making Of” clips of the movies. I also love watching Studio Binder videos (they break down a lot of filmmaking stuff).



Tell us about ‘Sunshine Anytime’. How do you describe it?

Sunshine Anytime is a film about dealing with the weight of life. It’s also about how your loved ones are never really gone. And how the tragedy of losing someone you love evolves into a light you can use to get through adversity. To get through those tough times. 

The idea for the film started with this one thing I wrote down:

When our loved ones pass on, they leave an empty feeling in us that seems unfillable. But as time passes, that changes. You realize that emptiness is filled with a love that can devour the most immense pain and fear. And that love can reach across space, time, and the heavens.


Please tell us about your favorite filmmakers.

I have a ton, but I’ll name a few. Martin Scorsese is definitely a big influence. The first dvd I ever bought for myself–actually I bought two at the same time (at Circuit City!). They were Goodfellas and Taxi Driver. He showed me early on that films are more interesting when the filmmaker doesn’t dictate what you should feel. They leave it up to the audience to feel what they feel.

I’m also a huge Christopher Nolan fan (who isn’t?!), David Fincher, Denis Villeneuve, Bong Joon-ho, Paul Thomas Anderson, Kathryn Bigelow, Ryan Coogler, Damien Chazelle, Spike Lee, etc. I’m a brand new fan of Coralie Fargeat. Her latest movie, The Substance, is INSANE!


If you were given a good budget, what would be your ideal project?

I’m writing a feature script right now. It’s about these two friends who need money to save their friend’s life who has no health insurance. So they turn to a life of crime to try and save him.


Describe how you would ensure that production is on schedule. What steps would you take?

For my short films, I typically plan shooting days weeks in advance so that I know all my friends can save the dates. I also set up a shot list so that I know what needs to be filmed on what day. And set up the shots on my own like a practice to kind of gauge how long setups will take.

I also hold a few rehearsals to make sure the actors know their lines and all that good stuff. I’m open to any and all questions throughout the whole process so when it comes time to shoot, we can get things rolling.



What was the hardest part of making ‘Sunshine Anytime’.

The hardest part of filming Sunshine Anytime was finding the right song. There’s a pivotal scene where the main character is pouring out with emotion. We shot it with the Billie Eilish song “What Was I Made For?” playing on set so Jalisha (Carmen in the short) could get into character and feel all the feelings. Obviously, we couldn’t use that song for the final product. So, it was a process trying to find a song with the right vibe for the scene. And I think we picked a pretty good one. And by “we” I mean Ashley (our sound mixer/designer).


If possible, tell us about your next work. What plans do you have for your future work?

I have a few short scripts I want to shoot next. One is a horror short about social media vs. nature. There’s another horror one I want to shoot. And the third one is an absurd comedy. I’m not sure which one will be on deck next, but stay tuned!

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