Pain and Gratitude
Embracing the journey: A Reflection on the process
It’s hard to put into words how much has gone into this project and how deeply grateful I am for every single moment—both the triumphs and the challenges.
What began as a simple idea—a robot transforming into a human through the power of firedance—has grown into a journey that has tested, shaped, and inspired me. It wasn’t just me, though; this project became possible because of the commitment, creativity, and sheer strength of the incredible people who joined me along the way.
How naivity helps to actuall start a project
When I first thought of the concept, I naively believed we could shoot the same week. How little I understood back then! Sitting in that first meeting with a film company, I quickly realized there was a mountain of preparation ahead. From designing a robot to building a narrative that could truly come alive on screen, I found myself both overwhelmed and motivated by the tasks that lay ahead. Maybe I wouldn’t have started if I really knew how much of my time, money and energy this project will take. But I am glad I did. It made me grew so much.
The robot
The robot costume alone was a massive undertaking. It started with a plaster mask of my face, which turned out to be far too soft. I took it to my grandfather, raising the bar for the design. The hours spent crafting the head, with details and moving parts, felt endless. A sleek, shiny robot wasn’t an option—we wanted something raw and real. Something referring to the time topic. Something individual. Michaela and Wolf worked alongside me to unite the many robot parts i built over 2 years into a stunning full costume. Their support and dedication were absolutely fantastic. To build the cyborg was another challenge. We had bettina figuring out how to sew a firesafe dress and Enrico Lein offering Latex-Robot parts. You can read into the robot-building process and more behind-the-scenes stories in our blog here.
The Set and the best emotional anchor
Finding a film location wasn’t any easier. We needed an abandoned factory with a steampunk aesthetic, a space safe for the crew and filled with the right atmosphere. It was through incredible generosity that we finally secured the perfect place. Every challenge seemed like it could have stopped us, but we kept moving forward. My partner Diego not only helped build and clean the set but was also my emotional anchor, supporting me through every struggle, high, and low with his attentive and compassionate presence. And, to be honest.. Over the last years he wasnt the only close person that had to deal with my crazy idea.
The Production, Cut & Animations
Filming was an extraordinary experience. It spanned almost a week, with long nights, rain, and moments that tested everyone’s endurance. The film crew and editing team from Eugeniusfilm shaped the set and raw cut with their expertise. Julie Boehm had a separate production day to create her stunning body painting, which brought the transition to life in a unique way. My friend Jana (“the studio Bee”) and I worked tirelessly through the nights to break our brains over what timeless moments might look like and how animations could bring our raw footage into a very symbolic world. She is truly fantastic.
Marc Zimmermann’s professional touch added amazing visual effects that elevated the entire film, while our friend Petrus, turns raw ideas of work signals into beautifully crafted visuals. Furthermore there is Edu, an amazing filmmaker with a heart of gold, gave all his presence on set and always kept the motivation high with his expertise. And I also want to mention Udo Schurr and his assistance Markus Elte who let the CYBORG came alive (see: “Becoming a Cyborg”)
Film is expensive
The financial side was challenging. Filming, editing, and animation required funds I didn’t have, so I set out to rally support, pitching my vision to anyone who would listen. Convincing people I could pull off something this big wasn’t easy, and at times, I felt exhausted by the enormity of it all. Still, the passion for the project carried me forward. A successfull Crowdfunding project gave the basement for a solid start.
The Soundtrack
Bennet from The Trouble Notes created an emotional violin song that fits our theme perfectly. He was also the one refining the sound of the Trailer, and is currently working on the sound design of the film with his colleague.
Endless Nature Walks for Inspiration
The story itself took years to refine. Long walks in nature with my friend Jan became my creative space, where ideas started to solidify into something we could actually film. Questions like “Where does the fire come from?” and “How do we create a believable cyborg transformation?” were constant puzzles that demanded time and experimentation. I spent countless hours reading about filmmaking, talking to experienced creators, and learning the steps of storytelling. It was a steep learning curve, but every conversation and insight helped me grow.
Ready to show Vulnerability?
This project is more than just a film—it’s a reflection of my healing journey and my vulnerability. It’s about moving forward, becoming stronger, and embracing the person I’ve grown into. I have to admit the fear to show my unperfect skills. I am neither a famous filmmaker, nor the best firedancer in the world, which totally challenges my desire for perfection. For a long time I was scared to share the painful story I went through when I just started firedancing. I am embarassed to have taken so long to simply show the trailer of a film that is yet to be released. YET! I’m so grateful to now share this story, hoping it will inspire others to explore their own transformations and find strength in their paths.
Looking back, it’s almost unbelievable how much we’ve achieved. This project has stretched me in ways I never imagined, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing people who believed in it and gave their time, energy, and talent. The journey has been challenging, yes—but it’s also been filled with moments of inspiration, resilience, and joy.
Please support the vision
As we move forward, I invite you to support this project by following us on Social Media and signing up for our mailing list on our site metamorefire.com – Every like, share, and subscription helps bring this vision closer to its final form and allows us to reach more people with this story of transformation and resilience.
To everyone who has been part of this incredible journey—THANK YOU. Together, we’re creating something truly extraordinary.