What was the inspiration for your film? How did you come up with the idea?

I love anthology films (like Creepshow or Kentucky Fried Movie) but I wanted to make an anthology where all the stories kind of collapse in on one another. Kind of like a Russian Nesting Doll.

Tell us about yourself. What is your background? How long have you been a filmmaker?

I have been a full time illustrator for 13 years now and I have been making films since 2017. I’ve made 3 features: THE GOD INSIDE MY EAR, SISTER TEMPEST and now THE WHEEL OF HEAVEN.

What inspires you to work within genre cinema and tell these kind of stories?

I love Avant Garde and experimental cinema and genre cinema kind of goes hand in hand with experimental cinema (at least in my book).

What was your favorite part of the filmmaking process for this project?

Pre-Production. I love all the concept art and preparation. There’s lots of dreaming during pre-production,.

What are you most proud of with this film?

The editing. My editor had a MAMMOTH job of putting this thing together and it is glorious.

What is a favorite story or moment from the making of the film you’d like to share? 

We had a wardrobe malfunction one day. My main actress, Kali Russell, was unable to wear her space captain outfit because you could see through the shirt. So, in a moment of ingenuity, my producer (Katie Weiss Porter) grabbed some paper plates and used them as a bra for Kali to wear. And it looks great and very comical on screen.

What was your most challenging moment or experience you had while making your film?

We had one big shoot day that we had to move the shoot date and we had to reschedule 30 people’s schedules. That was a nightmare.

If it did, how did your film change or differ from its original concept during pre-production, production, and/or post-production? How has this changed how you’ll approach future projects as a result?

There was a lot of improvising in the editing room. We basically shot A LOT of BTS footage and inserted it inside of film in post production. That created a lot of creative chaos during editing. It just makes me want improvise more in future projects.

Who were some of your collaborators and actors on the film? How did you start working with each other?

Actress Kali Russell: Worked with her before on Sister Tempest. DP Daniel Waghorne, Editor Joseph Estrade, Composer Jason Kruppa: Worked on every project together. I do believe in creating a troupe of actors and crew to work together on multiple projects. You create a workflow together that can only happen over multiple projects.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received as a filmmaker and what would you like to say to new filmmakers?

Do commercials to make money. Do movies to make art.

What are your plans for your career and what do you hope this film does for it? What kind of stories would you like to tell moving forward?

I hope this film brings attention to my work. I want to break free of normal narrative structure and create new and different ways to tell a story.

What is your next project and when can we expect to see it? 

I have LOTS of things under my hat. But unless I get an investor, I won’t be making shit. So any investors out there? I’m here! With LOTS of stories!

Where can we find more of your work and where can interested parties contact you? Do you have a website or YouTube/Vimeo channel? Social media handles?

joebadon.com https://www.instagram.com/joebadonart/

Bonus Question #1: What is your all-time favorite film?

True Stories (David Byrne)

Bonus Question #2: What is the film that most inspired you to become a filmmaker and/or had the most influence on your work?

Essex Spacebin most inspired me. Holy Mountain most influenced me.