In the ever-evolving landscape of cinema, few films manage to blend the intricacies of human emotion with cutting-edge concepts as seamlessly as Emotional Storage. Directed by AJ Lutsky, this thought-provoking film delves into the idea of memories being stored like digital files, raising profound questions about identity, memory, and the nature of forgetting. In an exclusive interview, Lutsky opens up about the inspirations behind the film, the challenges of visually representing abstract concepts, and the deeper messages that resonate within this unique narrative. From the initial spark of an idea to the final cut, Lutsky’s journey through Emotional Storage offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a filmmaker unafraid to explore the complexities of the human experience.
Patrick Roy, UniversalCinema Magazine (UM): What inspired you to create a film exploring the concept of memories being stored like photos in our phones?
AJ Lutsky (AL): I was inspired by a friend of mine who just wrapped up a project he called ‘extremely personal and challenging.’ It got me thinking—why not make a film that’s a bit autobiographical and dives into my own past?
(UM): How did you approach the challenge of visually representing memories as digital files within the human mind?
(AL): We created a visual motif using slow-motion photography and a soft filter to set apart Liz’s memories from her present-day self. In her memories, Liz (played by Mackenzie Smart) is seen with a dreamy, filtered look, while her present-day self is shot on a green screen, no filter needed, and the shots were composited together. This layering created a sense that she’s peeking into her past. But at the end, in the playground scene, we switched things up. That whole sequence is in the soft, slow-mo style to show that she’s finally stepped into her memory world and can interact with her past self. It’s like she’s unlocked those memories and they’re no longer buried away. That last sequence wasn’t in the script—we came up with it on the fly! I had some extra time with the young actress, Kalayna Sterling, so I asked her to do another take where she notices her older self and waves her in, like a warm welcome to her past.
(UM): What themes or messages are you hoping to convey about the nature of memory and forgetting through this film?
(AL): I wanted to get the audience thinking, ‘What memories would I erase to make space for new ones? Can I even delete one without messing up the rest? And what actually makes me, ‘me’?
(UM): Are there any specific memories or types of memories that the film suggests are universally harder to delete?
(AL): In the film, she decides not to delete any memories—she’s just not ready to make room for her partner, Abe (played by Kylan Ming), and that’s her truth. Some folks have said the ending is heartbreaking, but really, what’s more heartbreaking: being engaged or married to someone you can’t truly let into your life? To me, it’s actually a happy ending because they weren’t meant to be together.
(UM): Can you discuss the main character’s journey in deciding which memories to delete and how this process impacts their identity?
(AL): Liz journeys through all kinds of memories—happy, sad, and traumatic—seemingly without consciously choosing. Some memories have a stronger pull, or take up more space, kind of like files on a computer. The big realization for her is that she’s the sum of all her memories and experiences. She can’t just erase the bad ones because they’ve all contributed to making her who she is.
(UM): How did you balance the science fiction elements with the emotional and psychological aspects of the story?
(AL): The key was not overdoing it and not trying to create and explain the rules behind the emotional storage system in her head. It’s not true sci-fi, it’s almost satire. It’s a metaphor for the decision making-process, and the whole journey takes place in the split second when Abe proposes.
(UM): How does the concept of digital memory storage reflect our current relationship with technology and data management?
(AL): I will ask ChatGPT about this…
(UM): Were there any specific visual or storytelling influences that shaped your depiction of the memory deletion process?
(AL): As scripted, it reads, ‘The whole world flies past Lizzie in a blast, her hair flowing wildly in the winds of time.’ To bring that to life, we built a black box around the actress, projected colors onto and around her, and used wind effects to create the feeling that she’s soaring through something substantial or traveling a great distance. I didn’t have a specific visual reference in mind, but I’m pretty sure I’ve seen something like this before. This was a blast to shoot for the crew as we had a chance to just go crazy.
(UM): What do you hope audiences will reflect on regarding their own memories and experiences after watching your film?
(AL): I hope the film makes audiences appreciate their own memories and experiences more (even if it’s just 1% more, I’d consider the film a success), including the tougher more painful ones, because they can make us stronger. I also hope it encourages people to reconnect with feelings or emotions from their past that they might have suppressed, and give themselves permission to access those feelings again.
(UM): What was your process for developing the script, particularly the unique concept of memories as digital storage?
(AL): I had the phrase ’emotional storage full’ written in my notebook for who-knows-how-long, and the whole story just clicked. I wrote out the first draft of the script in two hours, and that was the version we shot. Some folks suggested changing the ending so she deletes memories and accepts the marriage proposal, but that was never the plan. The whole point is that she’s complete—’full’—without him.
(UM): How did you approach casting for the film, and what qualities were you looking for in the actors to portray the emotional depth of the characters?
(AL): As a director, I always like to handle casting myself and be deeply involved in the process. The most important qualities in an actor for me are being open to experimentation, making bold choices, and collaborating creatively to bring the characters to life. Mackenzie Smart, our lead, truly shines in this film—she’s unbelievably talented, and her performance blew me away. Kylan, Kalayna, and Ryan Curan (who played the ex-boyfriend) were all my top picks, and they’re fantastic in their roles.
(UM): Can you discuss the design and execution of the visual effects used to represent the memory storage and deletion process?
(AL): I chose the metaphor of an iOS pop-up because it’s a universal experience—who hasn’t run out of storage on their device and had to decide what to delete to make room for more? Patrick Ryan, our VFX Producer, did an amazing job replicating the iPhone alert design for the film and created the custom ‘Emotional Storage Full’ pop-ups you see on screen.
(UM): What challenges did you face during the production, especially in depicting abstract concepts like memories and their deletion?
(AL): This was the most personal film I’ve ever made. The skill of making this film, for me, was being vulnerable and creative while leading the production and confronting some unresolved pain from my past. But isn’t that why we make and watch films—to explore and express our deepest selves? We shot and edited the entire film in just 48 hours for the Run N Gun film festival in Vancouver, BC. With over seven locations, a dozen visual effects, five cast members, and constant hair, makeup, and wardrobe changes—the challenges were endless. On top of that it is a (mostly) silent film so the performances had to be perfect. The biggest hurdle was definitely the time constraint. We had to create visual effects before the shots were even edited, piece together scenes as we filmed without knowing how the rest would turn out, move the crew around to different locations, feed and caffeinate everyone, and keep morale high throughout. Despite all this, the crew handled everything with professionalism and grace. This was the best crew I’ve ever worked with, and their hard work, passion, and dedication really shine through in the final film.
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