We recently got the chance to watch Victoria Muldon’s short film “My Neighbour Barbecued My Fence” which was the funniest short film we have come across in a while and had us laughing from start to finish. And, we are delighted to bring you our interview with Victoria regarding her film and how she developed the story and the film’s production. We would like to offer our thanks to Victoria for taking the time to talk to us. And make sure you check out “My Neighbour Barbecued My Fence” because it’s an absolute delight! Pure comedy gold!

ITOL: Could you introduce yourself and your film for our readers?

VM: Hi, my name is Victoria Muldoon. I wrote the “Joke’s on You”, a comedy about a couple who plays pranks on each other based on my parents’ relationship and “My Neighbour Barbecued My Fence”, a 5-minute screwball comedy about career advice. I played Alice in “Plastic Boy”, an LGBT comedy feature film which screened at Barnes Film Festival. “My Neighbour Barbecued My Fence” is about Tiger who wants to work but just can’t do what other people tell her to do. Her job search brings her to Tom’s career advice session in a community centre. Together they decide to seize the day and do something they love. “My Neighbour Barbecued My Fence” has screened at GRRL HAUS CINEMA in Berlin, Broad Humor Film Festival in Los Angles and The Film Bunch in London.

“My Neighbour Barbecued My Fence” is about Tiger who wants to work but just can’t do what other people tell her to do.”

ITOL: Could you kindly discuss the inception of the short film and how you came up with the concept of the film?

VM: I had the idea from a friend who put down porn star as the type of work she was actively looking for in a jobcentre interview. I had a phone call in a previous job at a housing association from a resident whose neighbour has barbecued his fence. When I told a swimming teacher I was working with the title of the film he said that he had barbecued his neighbours fence and that they were still arguing about it.

“People who watched the film have said that it reminded them of their job search experiences feeling that the dreams were being crushed.”

ITOL: Would you mind discussing the casting process and if there were any issues or complications finding the right actor for the roles?

VM: I had met Freddie Hogan previously at a drama class. He asked to meet up after seeing “The Joke’s on You” online. I sent the script to Freddie a month or so afterwards as I thought he would suit the character of Tom. We had a reading and then I did some rewrites of the script.

“After filming I found out my dad was terminally ill. My dad gave me feedback on the film and the final edit made him laugh…”My Neighbour Barbecued My Fence” is dedicated to him.”

ITOL: How did the shooting process go, and were there any complications you faced (for example finding the crew or the right location)?

VM: I made the film with a wonderful crew. After filming I found out my dad was terminally ill. My dad gave me feedback on the film and the final edit made him laugh. He passed away before the sound edit and grade was completed. “My Neighbour Barbecued My Fence” is dedicated to him.

ITOL: What has been the reaction from audiences? 

VM: People who watched the film have said that it reminded them of their job search experiences feeling that the dreams were being crushed. Going to recruitment agencies and being made to cut their hair and shave their beard and being recommended to go on a childcare course because they are a single parent. Becoming self-employed because they want to work but just can’t do what other people tell them to do.

ITOL: Are there any female filmmakers that you admire? And did any of their work influence you?

VM: Bola Agbaje and Destiny Ekaragha, the writer and director of “Gone Too Far”. I remember everybody laughing at the play at Hackney Empire and the feature film screening at the London Film Festival. It was wonderful to see Peckham High St on a big screen. 

ITOL: What is next for you?

VM: “My Neighbour Barbecued My Fence” is screening as part of She Lives Collective on Tuesday, January the 21st at Cafe 1001 on Brick Lane in East London. She lives collective (@she_lives_collective) • Instagram photos and videos. The film is also available to watch on Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/310208375 .I am writing a play and a short film and will be acting in some comedy sketches next year. This is the link to my Vimeo video page. https://vimeo.com/victoriamuldoon