Forging Your Own Path in the Filmmaking Industry Riccardo Suriano on using Red Giant tools for ‘Along Came Ruby.’
Italian filmmaker Riccardo Suriano’s short film “Along Came Ruby” is set against the desolate backdrop of a post-apocalyptic wasteland and tells the story of Ruby, an 18-year-old who survived disaster, and is searching the ruins for her older brother, Henry.
Suriano focused on finding locations that had the right look for the film’s dystopian setting, and his team relied on Red Giant tools to further enhance the scenes. We talked with him about the making of the film, including the challenges he faced.
Tell us about yourself and your path to becoming a filmmaker.
Suriano: I began as a commercial and advertising photographer. After moving to the U.S., I aspired to make films. I wanted to see movement in my photos, so I started experimenting with video. As an immigrant, I didn't have the luxury of attending film school and so I am self-taught.
My background in photography gave me a good understanding of framing and movement, and I often worked as a set photographer, so I was familiar with the process on film sets. Eventually, I took on the role of director of photography.
I began directing personal projects, setting myself a challenge to create a short film in a single location within one night. This led to my film “Long Pig”, an eight-minute dialogue-free short set in a camper.
I worked only with available resources, emphasizing the importance of working with what one has. The secret to my progress was addressing challenges one at a time. For instance, one day I'd focus on sourcing lenses, the next on finding a sound expert. Collaboration with others has been instrumental in my journey.
How did you choose your locations?
Suriano: I used real locations and wanted it to feel as real as possible. I was lucky to find an abandoned riverboat with signs saying, "Keep Out" and all that. Once I found it, I knew we would be shooting there. The only visual effects in the film involve the city skyline. The skyline was real, and we added buildings, and also overgrown plants and vines to some of the buildings.
Did you intentionally distort the letterbox?
Suriano: Yes. I liked how the distortion seemed to bend the film's reality. Sometimes things can be happy accidents, and this was a blend of that and a creative choice. During testing, we noticed this distortion and thought, "We should bend the reality." That particular effect was accomplished with Chromatic Displacement from Red Giant Universe.
What are some other effects in the film?
Suriano: My Italian VFX team relied on several other Red Giant tools to get the look we were going for. From Trapcode Particular to generate the dust in the barn to Universe Electrify for the electricity effect. My team also used Red Giant VFX tools throughout, including Optical Glow and Real Lens Flares to help define the mood of the scenes.
Were you inspired by “The Last of Us?”
Suriano: While my film may parallel “The Last of Us,” I’ve never played the game or watched the show. And though the actress who plays Ruby closely resembles Ellie from the game, other similarities are coincidental. That said, references to games and movies I love, like “Silent Hill,” “Butterfly Effect,” and even “Stranger Things,” are definitely evident in my work. I've always been drawn to post-apocalyptic themes due to their affordability in terms of location and setting.
What has the response been to your film?
Suriano: I haven’t gotten much traction with festivals. I think that’s because I wanted it to be more like a pilot, putting three acts into 20 minutes and building a world and characters. That’s not really what festivals are looking for. Online feedback has been great, though, and since I'm trying to show the world that filmmakers don't have to conform, platforms like YouTube and Instagram allow us to share our work without needing to follow a set formula.
The biggest step right now is to get “Along Came Ruby” in front of people, especially production companies. This work showcases my storytelling style and vision, and my goal is to reach decision makers and get onboard with some projects. Even if the projects are not my idea, I’d like to be involved, even as an assistant editor.