"April"tacklestough issues

By Rachel Galvin

Filmmaker Jack Safford took on some complex issuesin hisfirst short film called "April," which wasshown at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival thislast year.The story followsateenage April,played by Celine Alva. In addition to the strugglesof just being a teenager,thisyoung girl lost her mother and hasdifficulty with her father,who keepson her about taking prescription pillsbecause he believesshe hasdepression.The struggle with him and everything in her life leadsher to drastic steps.

Safford took on quite the challenge making thisfilm,wearing most of the hatshimself,rather than having a large team behind him.

Asked why he chose thistopic,he said,"Addiction isa pandemic that most people can relate to - whether it?stheir own battle or somebody they know. For me,it wasvery close to home:a family member.To show how it can grab ahold of somebody?slife wasmy goal in writing this."

He added,"Asfar asthe title goes,'April' isthe name of our main character.However,the name hasseveral meanings. April isoften considered amonth that consistsof better weather after along winter - blossoming,growth,beautiful colors- actual changesin seasonsthat represent happinessand positivity.But April isalso the stormiest month of the year.It hasthisdark underbelly that contrastswith all of the beautiful changes.That isthe main character."

He shot the film in Nashville and the surrounding areas."I think we shot in five total locationsin just four days: ahigh school,two houses, anearby park and a surgery center that played asthe hospital.I have to give all my praise to my actorsand the small crew we had.Those outdoor locationshad usfilming in 108° weather in July! I genuinely felt bad for them at times,but they were troopers," he said.

Safford added,"The most challenging part of the shoot was scheduling.I knew we only had four daysto get everything we needed,and the weather had to be perfect. AsI mentioned,it was incredibly hot,but it thankfully never rained,which isa miracle for a southern summer to go aweek without a drop of rain. Beyond that, really the only challenge wasme figuring out my directing style. It was my first time directing.However,that sort of ignorance eliminated stressthat I didn? t know waspossible. Looking back,I am amazed we shot thisin four dayswith just athree person crew (myself,aboom mic operator and hair/makeup)."

Safford,who also runsa production company that focusesmore on video marketing for clients,decided he wanted to make more of anarrative film and to take mattersinto hisown hands rather than waiting. He made a trailer that got hisfoot in the door before the movie waseven finished.It allowed him to shoot four more filmslast year alone.

One of hisgoalsin making thisfilm wasto show the truth of addiction, which affectsnot only the person who is addicted but everyone around them.He said,"Addiction isnot a selfish act of wanting something,it isadisease. This country hasa lot of work to do to help alleviate thishorrific crisis."

https://youtu.be/7XeSmxVv11Y

@notjacksafford and @saffordfilms