Riley Sweeney Lynch
Meet Riley Sweeney Lynch. He is currently directing his first crowd funded film, which takes place in the Midwest and is also where both his parents are from. Growing Riley spent constant summers with his mother's family in Wisconsin. With a cult director and screenwriter as mom and dad, Riley grew up within “Hollywood.” Yet, while knowing the industry he is still humble. An aspiring filmmaker himself, he also has an itch for Metal Music and driving cross country.
When was the first time you “picked up” a video camera?
I don’t remember the first time I picked up a video camera. I made a few nature documentaries in the backyard when I was in elementary school. I hardly ever touched one between then and college.
What did you do when you lived in Montana?
I worked on a small cattle ranch, mostly irrigating, hauling bales, and moving cows. I also started writing what would end up being the first draft of a feature film about Jack and Mimi, the main characters in my current project, Black Earth. That was 2014. Things have changed quite a bit since then, for the better.
How did you come across your current car?
My current car is a 1998 Toyota tacoma that Jen and Jim (that’s my sister and brother in law) graciously gave to me. It used to be camouflage, Jim and I painted it black a year or two ago. It runs very well but it’s missing a few teeth. I went to go get it in Atlanta, and I didn’t actually know how to drive standard. So I learned on the drive back to LA and only stalled out like 2000 times.
You went to art school for film and video. Do you think learning about film in any given formality is important?
Yes it’s important to learn about filmmaking in school, though “extracurricular” filmmaking is just as important, maybe more-so. Depends on who you ask. I’m glad I went to film school. I knew a surprisingly small amount about film history before enrolling and even less about collaboration. If you have a vested interest in being a filmmaker you gotta at least try film school so you can find other like minded people to make with. It’s so important. Technical know-how you can learn online, but working in this context where everyone is experimenting is invaluable. These are friends who you will continue to works with through life.
courtesy RILEY SWEENEY LYNCH
interview ALEX ASSIL
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