Here is a funny black comedy short film for you to watch called body of work. Set ten years after their uncle’s murder, twins Teddy and Izzy become entangled in a web of lies and murder when a detective knocks on their door.
Written and directed by Andrea and Sophie Téllez, this short film is shared in partnership with FilmQuest, where we hope to showcase some of the radical independent genre films and shorts filmmakers are creating.
I’ve also added an interview with the filmmaker below. Enjoy the short video!
What was the inspiration for your film? How did you come up with this idea?
The idea is based on a concept Andrea had about 10 years ago. Over time it developed into what it is now, which is essentially a bloody comedy of errors.
Tell us about yourself. What is your background? How long have you been a filmmaker?
We are sisters from Utah just starting our journey as directors. We’ve both played various characters in small scenes over the past seven years, and Body of Work is our directorial debut.
What inspires you to work in genre films and tell these kinds of stories?
We liked the idea of mixing different genres and showing complex relationships in a heightened environment.
What was your favorite part of the filmmaking process on this project?
Playing with blood on set. Next comes mixing.
What are you most proud of about this film?
We are most proud of our ability to successfully execute on our original vision, especially since it was our first time.
What’s your favorite story or moment from the making of the film that you’d like to share?
The last shot of the first day is of Izzy arriving at the “Bloodwing”. This was one of our early shoot ideas and it turned out so beautifully in one shot that we almost had tears in our eyes.
What was the most challenging moment or experience you had while making the film?
We didn’t have a lot of guidance in terms of production and how to talk to actors. A lot of it is very instinctive, baptized by fire. In the end, we are very happy with how everything turned out and the relationship we were able to build.
If so, how did your film change or differ from the original concept during pre-production, production, and/or post-production? How does this impact the way you approach future projects?
We didn’t plan or think about the overall feel of the show before we started working on the music. When the composer suggested a mariachi sound, we recorded the beginning of the telenovela (voiced by our parents) and then delved deeper into the aesthetic through title design.
For our next project, we’ll be thinking more carefully about every aspect of the film so that we can better realize from the start how we want them to manifest in the final product.
Who are your collaborators and actors in this film? How did you start working together?
One of us briefly met Beth May (Detective) on set. She’s a fan-favorite in the field of D&D practical podcasts. We had both been fans for a while, and when the opportunity arose, we pitched the idea for the character to her.
She loved it and is now ready to work with us again on her next project. We’re also delighted to be working with Jess Parks as our sound designer. We contacted her through the position manager and hit it off immediately.
She’s done incredible work in the new Jumaji movie, Spider-Man’s No Way Home, and more. We will also be working with her again on sound design and bringing her on as a producer.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received as a filmmaker?
During our first meeting with the DP, we apologized profusely for not being familiar with how to communicate and plan with her. The best thing she said to us was that she knew we would make good directors because we had a very clear vision and communicated it directly to her. So the best advice we can give right now is to trust your instincts and vision and do whatever it takes to achieve what you want.
What are your plans for your career? What stories would you like to tell in the future?
Our ultimate goal, like many others, is to make a feature film and be able to survive on it. We hope to continue telling stories with diverse characters and backgrounds and explore as many types of complex relationships as possible.
What’s your next project?
Our next project is a short bureaucratic thriller set in a call center in the 1990s. We should be filming in early to mid-2025 and hopefully have it ready later that same year.
Where can we find more of your work? Do you have a website or YouTube/Vimeo channel? Social media handle?
Our YouTube channel and official Instagram are @Puchicaproducts Sophie can be found on Instagram @sooo_sophie and Andrea @andretortelleze
Bonus Question #1: What is your favorite movie?
Sophie’s character is Dan in real life and Andrea’s character is Moonlight. But if we had to pick one together, it would be Mad Max: Fury Road.
Bonus Question #2: Which film inspired you the most as a filmmaker and/or influenced your work the most?
Sophie wanted to make a movie after watching The Iron Giant. Andrea’s work is Inglourious Basterds.
