Behind the Lens: Trigger
Imari Anderson is known for thinking outside of the box. When pairing up with his creative and romantic partner, Mona May, the reality begins to set in that collaboration is a beautiful thing that often creatives take for granted. The ability to pull energy from another and create something larger is what this project, Trigger, was manifested into. When you watch, you will be triggered by emotions, passion, confusion, pondering of everything you thought you knew, but most of all, you will be challenged. Â
That is the idea and vision behind this project.
What inspired the concept behind Trigger?
Mona May: It was a decision to collaborate. That was the first moment.
Imari Anderson: And we said "let's go on a walk and we'll see what comes up." And we started talking about physiology.
M: we started talking about macroshots, and contrast
I: and we started talking about settings, like black space
M: and we started talking about unexpected twists
I: Race
M: GenderâŚwe didn't talk about all of that then?!
I: We did!
M: Ah yea! Because we talked about urban aesthetic and score, and how that would be driving the piece to kind of give you an impression to kind of what you were seeing, and that the ending would kind of throw you.
âThe main concept was born from the desire to explore the physiology of the flight or fight response of the body and how often moments of decision can be mistaken for protecting emotions (i.e. fear versus excitement.)â
What was the creative process like with actually bringing that concept to life?
 I: We were very excited on the first day when we were putting it together. We didn't want the project to fizzle out. We wanted to see it through to manifestation. So, we did a lot of pre visualizations on that day, and probably for like 2-3 weeksâŚand stressing on all the little things. It was fun because it wasâŚ
M:Â it was fun, question mark?
I:*chuckles* Â the creative process was at times, strenuous.
M: The creative process itself wasn't strenuous. I feel like the logistical process was strenuous. All of the details of like you said bringing the project to life. It's one thing to have like free imagination reign and let yourself go off on like whatever the tangent is but you have to ground that with the actual scenes we need to film, and all the specifics. It can be kind of tense.
 I: We were both in a place where the ideas were paramount for both of us. There were times when we were questioning where is this idea coming from?
M: and is it relevant to what we're trying to create?
Was there a game plan for what you wanted to happen once this project was released?
I: Not really. We just wanted to get this bad boy out.
M: We wanted as many people to see the video as possible
I: So to all 17 of those viewers, thank you!
M: We have 19 now
I: I watched it twice today.
It's really more like 6,000 now.
I: The game plan going forward, it would be nice to use it as a calling card to pursue other creative projects  In this creative vein and having something to show for past experience.
What do you want people to gain from watching this?
M: I would like people to gain some brain cells
I: *laughs*
M: Any perspective, and the concept of seeing something you've never seen before. It's always interesting to see something very unique. As humans, it's us evolving.
I: I kind of want people to lose something. Like if they're standing on top of a bunch of bricks, and your bricks are preconceived notions of what life has taught you and what you receive from life, I kind of hope this video will yank one of the bricks out.
Editors note: Be sure to follow the link above to watch the full short, and LIKE âImari Andersonâ on Facebook today!
