Less a showcase for the technological and creative possibilities opened up by consumer level 3D printers, and more a Silicon Valley-like look inside a number of entrepreneurial start-ups trying to corner the market, Print the Legend offers an insight into people who want to become the next Steve Jobs – or, failing that, get filthy stinking rich. Or start an actual armed revolution. Yikes. Directors Luis Lopez and J. Clay Tweel answered our questions about the film, and hopefully scored themselves an endorsement deal with Nespresso (where’s ours?).
Hello from Flicks. What have you been up to today?
Hello Flicks. We have been editing various new projects and drinking Nespresso.
When did you first become interested in 3D printers?
Probably around 2012, when they really started to hit the public consciousness a little more often. It is an almost magical and inspiring technology, and we loved delving into the world to find a story.
Going into the documentary did you have preconceived allegiances to certain companies over others?
Not at all; that would have been a big mistake. We try and empathize with all of our characters as much as possible, so having an agenda like that would cloud our storytelling abilities.
What was it like to observe the different companies at such varied stages of development?
It was amazing. It made me think of that idea from the show Battlestar Galactica: “all this has happened before and all this will happen again.”
What aspects of the technology, and the people behind it, did you find easiest – and most difficult – to convey in your film?
Perhaps the easiest thing to show in the film was just how tough it is on your personal relationships within a growing business. It’s almost cliché at this point how divisive it can be to start a business with someone else. At some point, you are going to disagree, and it will probably get ugly.
One of the most difficult aspects of the film to convey was the personal motivations behind the characters involved in each company. We were often covering big businesses with shareholders and PR departments, so the idea of a documentary chronicling the personal beliefs of its leadership can be a tricky situation.
Many documentaries are improved by an unexpected twist or turn – is this something that you’re conscious of while filming your subjects?
It is something we are aware of but are never seeking out. We try and capture what we can, be in the right places at the right times, and see if we can find a great story. If we are lucky enough to actually capture a character change over the course of our filming, then there will naturally be a turn that we can point to in their development.
Has anything happened since you finished your film that you wish you could have captured?
3D printing is moving so fast that there are tons of things. Scientists are on the verge of printing working blood vessels in organic material, so that would have been amazing to include!
Could you share with us your most memorable moment during filming?
Probably the most memorable moment was being with Cody Wilson when he uploaded the first 3D printable hand gun online. Regardless of personal beliefs, we knew we were witnessing something unique and historic.
What was the last great film you saw?
Clay – Inside Llewyn Davis
Luis – Print the Legend
Who would be the best, and worst, people to bring along to your film?
Best – tech start-up entrepreneurs.
Worst – My 3 year old daughter. (Luis.)
What are you thinking about doing next?
Probably having some lunch and then more Nespresso.
