THE INTERVIEW
November, 2023
CALEB MIHILL
DIRECTORS OF CHECK-IN
BEST FIRST TIME DIRECTOR
Caleb, tell us a bit more about yourself. Where does your desire to be a director come from?
My name is Caleb Mihill, and I am from the small town of Lake Placid, New York in the United States. I have loved telling stories from the time I was little, and that passion grew as I came to know the power of film. I have always said that I want to make the world a better place than when I entered it, and telling stories through film with a strong message presents the opportunity for me to deliver on that goal. Directing is just one piece of what I do when it comes to filmmaking, and I feel very fortunate to be able to do and execute multiple elements of the film world, such as writing, cinematography, editing, and lighting, while also dabbling in acting here and there too. However, shifting the focus to where my desire to be a director comes from, I’d say that it comes down to wanting to do good. I get to work with talented actors and work with them to push themselves through complex emotions, all in an effort to tell a message that hopefully helps, if not many people, at least one. Through the art of directing, I get to build meaningful social connections with the people I am working with and then the people who watch the work that I’ve done. I see directing as an opportunity to connect and create, and this is what fuels my desire to be a director.
What is your background?
Only being 20 years old, my background isn’t yet as big as I hope it will become. Though I have had a lot of experience dabbling in different parts of the film industry, taking up various positions to get firsthand experience that helps me tell my own stories. Personally, I started my own business when I was in 10th grade that focuses on video advertising and telling the story of organizations and businesses that I partner with in a narrative style. When it comes to non-advertising writing, I have written little narratives for as long as I can remember, and the film bug bit me when I realized I could take these stories and deliver them visually to an audience. I love telling stories and delivering them in an engaging visual format, and while this is my first time making a short film, it certainly isn’t the last.
What was your reference for Check-In?
My reference for Check-In was the world around us. We have seen an uptick in self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide completions, and I felt the need to comment on it and hopefully strike up a conversation around the issue. The issue has even knocked on my front door, where I have had individuals share personal stories of struggles they or loved ones have had. There was a story that was shared with me, and it was about a mother who lost a child to suicide. The mother became an advocate and encouraged parents to check their child’s phone because if she had checked her child’s device, she would’ve known and been able to help them. I felt a deep calling to create this project for those that I know and for those that I don’t, all in an effort to get all of us to check in on one another, but even more so for parents and guardians to see how their children are genuinely doing and look at their phones.
Caleb , you won Honorable Mention at the RED Movie Awards, what does that mean to you?
Wow, it is indescribable, and I truly am at a loss for words. This is the first time I have ever done anything like this. Check-In packs a message that is near and dear to my heart and soul, and knowing that this film has now been seen by people internationally means the world to me. It means that maybe we sparked a conversation and saved a life. I won’t ever know, but that thought brings me such gratitude towards the RED Movie Awards for allowing the possibility of that to occur outside of my own country. I am honored, grateful, and overjoyed to receive the Honorable Mention for Best First Time Director.
With your experience on both big and small sets, what key lessons have you learned that shape your approach to creating films through CTM Productions?
This is a tough question to narrow down, because I see all of my experiences and lessons as being deeply valuable, no matter how big or small they were. With that being said, the biggest lesson is to stay true to who you are and your storytelling. If you are a writer, director, or arts-driven person, there is this innate knowing of what will work and what won’t, both in terms of production and story. Don’t let the “rules” constrict you and your creativity because it is those who break the rules that feel at peace and content with their work. One other key lesson that I have taken to shape my approach to creating films is to have it be a relaxed yet fast-paced environment. I make sure everyone from the boom operator to the actors is comfortable and feels that they can ask questions, hone their craft, and have true relationships with all who are on set. I also have a fast-paced environment while creating, in the sense that we are moving on a schedule, quickly and effectively making adjustments to ensure we shoot all the material we need to properly tell the story and share the message. This all allows for the strong and cohesive execution of a project.
How did the experience of directing your first film challenge or surprise you, especially in capturing the complexities of the father-daughter relationship through something as modern and inescapable as a cellphone?
This might sound a little crazy, but I loved the challenges and surprises I encountered while directing my first short film. One of our unique dynamics was taking two actors who had never met or interacted until a month before we were filming and then building their characters to authentically display that close yet broken father-daughter relationship fractured by a cellphone. I worked and helped to connect them in real life so their connection didn’t feel sterile on set. It was also a fun challenge to film and direct this project in a fragmented structure, bouncing back and forth between the present and past. It was interesting and quite strategic to know and take into consideration what the characters have been through at each point in the script and helping the actors understand these dynamics!
What was the biggest challenge in this shooting?
I see the biggest challenge in filming Check-In as the weather. We were outside battling the grueling cold and blustery snow of the Adirondacks as we did take after take. We were beholden to the elements for every single scene taking place outside, and it allowed for some adventurous dynamics in ensuring our cast and crew were safe as well as warm. With that being said, this challenge turned out to be one of the greatest moments of filming. Not only did it allow a heartbroken and desolate feeling to emanate through the lens, but it is what everyone who was involved still talks about. It created a special memory and bond that forever links all of us together.
Do you have an anecdote to share with us in particular?
We have so many memories from this project that we will remember for the rest of our lives. We were outside in the blistering cold of Lake Placid for many hours, we squeezed 4 people into the smallest bathroom we have ever seen, and we were handed unique dynamics while filming in the supermarket and hospital, but most importantly, we shared laughs and smiles and enjoyed the process. I have to say my favorite part was watching the completed film with Jon and Lucy and watching their reactions. That experience was one of the greatest gifts one can get, as I got to watch them see all of their hard work and skill come together. We filmed Check-In in a 40+ hour work weekend, and I just have to say that Jon Fremante and Lucy Thill were troopers. They pulled through in every way during this project, and they blew me away with how talented they were. Any time we’ve had the opportunity to view this film with an audience, there were no dry eyes present.
What is your next project?
In life outside of filmmaking, I keep my cards close to my chest, and that transfers over into my productions as well. I like to be a director and writer of great mystery and anticipation, but I can tell you that I actually just wrapped the filming of my next short film. This film is centered around a man with Alzheimer’s and the struggles that disease brings to his life. We tripled the size of the cast and doubled the crew! We shared a lot of special moments on this new set that I feel will shine through on screen. I think, for right now, I have to leave it there, but I am always grateful for an opportunity to create a piece of art that might help our world. It is something that I am really excited to bring to theaters across the globe after I conclude editing, and I hope to be able to share it with you all just as I have with Check-In!
