The Steadfast Tin Soldier

[sebastian solberg]

Hey All,

I've just uploaded a short film I made last year, if you get a moment check it out and let me know what you think: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsViLeraVMA

About:
The first time I read The Steadfast Tin Soldier when I was very young I fell in love with it instantly. I loved its simplicity and its originality. I found myself gripped to the edge of the bed reading every word, amazed and inspired by this one legged soldier who was willing to sacrifice everything for the one he loved.

I was lying in bed trying to think of an idea for my next movie and I was really struggling, I was thinking about everything that inspired or interested me. Then it suddenly hit me, why not make the fairy tale, "The Steadfast Tin Soldier' into a short film.
However I felt compelled to make it different, an adaption, where the toys become real people.

I have two younger brothers, and I love watching them play with their toys where they create this new world of excitement. It amazes me and intrigues me how they can just sit down with their toys and play for hours on end, imagining their toys coming to life. They seem to escape into another realm.

I wanted to show through the movie the perspective of a young boy, where his toys come to life through his imagination just like it does for my younger brothers. I wanted to show that your imagination is where dreams are formed and that dreams should never be crushed. They are so important and are what make life worth living for.

So through this short-film I wanted to capture the transition of a child's mind, going from the physical reality to this imaginative state, and, although it becomes an 'imaginary world', their feelings are still very very real. I believe it is often not understood how real these feelings are for the child. We can therefore easily make the mistake of abruptly intruding and interfering.

This film is dedicated to Hans Christian Anderson whose great imagination created The Steadfast Tin Soldier.

This is a story about a young boy whose toys come to life through his imagination. I wanted to show that your imagination is where dreams are formed and that dreams should never be crushed. As they are so important and are what make life worth living for.

Won 'Best Film', 'Best Actor', 'Best Actress', 'Best Actor', 'Best Director', 'Best cinematography', 'Best use of line' and 'Best Editing' at the Youthtown Film Competition in 2008

Directed by: Sebastian Solberg
Staring: Ryan Williams (Soldier), Larissa Pedersen (Dancer), Jordan Drinkall (Villain) and Logan Yates (Young Boy)
Music by: Lyndon Holland (Lyndonholland.com)

Cheers

Seb

 

[Gilbert Garboni]

Wow, this, in my opinion, was really well-done. I can see why it won so many awards.

 

[jonE5]

Really cool, ive never heard of the original story, but i thouhgt your adaptation was pretty interesting. Cool shots.

What was the budget?

What was it shot on? What type of other equipment did you have? Looks from teh credits that you had a pretty sizeable crew.

Any reason for the lack of dialog? (like didnt have the proper sound equipment?) or was it just an artistic choice?

 

[filmman]

absolutely magical
i loved it
i share your feelings for the writer
great adaptation too
as a filmmaker you got everything from the story plus some
bravo

 

[sebastian solberg]

Gilbert: Thanks very much for the kind words

Jon: Cheers, the film was done with no budget, we just borrowed everything and everyone just volunteered! It was shot on a Canon XL1s and we lit it with a few lights from my old school. The crane shot was done with a genie which is used to set up the lights for productions.
The reason for no dialog was mainly an artistic choice as I believe a good film shows the audience whats going on rather than telling the audience whats happening and I wanted to emphasize this idea with The Steadfast Tin Soldier. I guess now looking back at it, technically it was the better option as I didn't have access to good sound equipment.

Filmman: Glad you liked it, yea he's an amazing writing, very inspiring! Thanks

Also I've started a blog which has my latest shorts on it, so if your interested you can check it out here: www.sebsolberg.wordpress.com

Thanks

Seb