Interview with J. Michael Kallet about Forum

Darida Rose, UniversalCinema Magazine (UM): Can you introduce yourself, how you got involved in the film industry and your directorial journey?

Michael Kallet (MK): My name is Jeff Kallet. I’m an artist and graphic designer originally from Upstate, New York. I went to film school in Orlando, but then worked in corporate and freelance marketing design for several years. I relocated back to South Florida around five years ago and continued doing freelance graphic design, but the film bug came back and bit me for good in 2018. Now I’m finally pursuing a full-time career in filmmaking. “Forum” is my first short film.

(UM): How did you come up with the idea of “Forum.” Has it been personally inspired or adoption based on someone else idea?

(MK): I had already decided that I wanted to write a short thriller. It was going to be something simple, low budget; two characters in a room. I had read an article about someone who had tracked down one of these online trolls that had been harassing them and hit upon the idea of using this as the reason for these two characters meeting. What would one do if given the opportunity to confront their, or their family member’s anonymous tormentor without any legal consequences for their actions? How would they have set this up? Would they have help? The script came together fairly quickly as I started to explore the possibilities.

(UM): How much in the film, through Jim’s character, you attempted to investigate the limit of human nature and it the limit it can get?

(MK): I think anyone is capable of anything when pushed far enough, and certainly Jim finds himself ready to cross a line he never imagined before entering that room. That’s why the final scene felt so important to me. Jim is back in the “ordinary” world of his everyday life, but still mentally and emotionally replaying the events in his mind. Is he regretting what he did, or regretting not going far enough? My hope is that the ending leaves the audience asking these questions.

(UM): The suspense was a huge aspect of the short film? How did you plan to infuse it in the storyline and plot?

(MK): I wanted the audience to initially be in the dark as to what exactly Jim was getting himself into. As I was writing the script, picturing Jim walking into that dingy, dark space where a man is revealed to be alone and tied to a chair, I wanted to convey an obvious feeling of dread; that anything could happen now, and whatever it was, it wasn’t going to be pleasant.

(UM): How did you gather the acting team especially Carl Rimi “Jim” and how long audition and shooting take?

(MK): I was put in touch with Suzanne Niedland, an actress and director here in South Florida. She was amazing in helping me put together the cast, which came together fairly quickly. Carl Rimi, who plays Jim, sent me a video audition that completely nailed it. Once he was cast, he put me in touch with Stacey Steele, who came onboard as Jim’s wife. Michael Vadnal and Jordan Morello, as “Richard” and “Dan” the captive man, were also both recommendations from Suzanne. I was also fortunate enough to have had rehearsal time with all of the actors ahead of the shoot. I blocked out scenes with the cast and had long discussions about their characters, which obviously helped tremendously when it came time to shoot.

(UM): Did you have the consideration of making the short film in three episodes connected to show the changes in Jim character?

(MK): During the writing process it became apparent to me that there would be two scenes to bookend the central confrontation. A setup and the aftermath, in which I wanted to show Jim returning home to his normal life. The arc of Jim became clear as a result; a mild-mannered family man who discovers he’s capable going to dark places he could’ve never previously imagined.

(UM): How much you relied on music -Chopin to enhance the aesthetic and form/content fusion?

(MK): That specific choice was actually sort of arbitrary. I knew it was going to be classical or jazz; the soundtrack to Jim’s mundane and safe homelife coming right after one of, if not the darkest experience of his life.

(UM): The role of body was prominent in the film. How did you capture it cinematically and is body cinema a part of your interest and pursuit in filmmaking?

(MK): The idea of body image was obviously central to the plot; how a woman repeatedly mocked and criticized for her weight and appearance drove her to commit one final tragic act. There was also a dynamic in the physicality of Jim and Dan that I wanted to emphasize in subtle ways. The framing for instance – high angles on Dan to show him as more vulnerable and “small” given his situation.
In terms of “body cinema,” exploring the idea of one’s physical appearance and the importance placed on it, especially through social media now, is certainly something I plan to further explore. I’m also a huge Cronenberg fan, so I’ll probably jump right into full on “body horror” at some point!

(UM): Can you share with our readers on any future project and sequel to Forum?

(MK): I’ve actually got a feature length outline of “Forum” that’s starting to take shape. I’m also polishing another feature-length screenplay that’s sort of a genre hybrid dealing with childhood trauma and various forms of control. I’m working on shooting a proof of concept for that particular project as well. Stay tuned!

By: Darida Rose