It’s called the Time Traveler’s Paradox: a scientist creates a time machine and kills their younger self. Now, a man who shouldn’t—can’t—exist, somehow does. That’s the paradox, and paradoxes are impossible. The man who created this paradox is Tim Travers, a reclusive mad scientist whose stated mission in life is to stand alone with God at the end of time, and tell the bastard off!

In the course of his adventure, Tim Travers will take on the mercenary gang whose stolen plutonium powers his machine, challenge an Alex Jones-esque podcaster to a battle of wits, create a black hole, meet the one woman alive more unpredictable than him, clone himself, destroy the universe, make a new one, and maybe—just maybe—learn to love himself at last.

“Tim Travers and the Time Traveler’s Paradox” was written and directed by Stimson Snead. The film was executive produced by Ben Yennie, Felicia Day, and Rich Cowan, and produced by Kylie Walchuk and Casey Cowan. The film has a running time of 104 minutes and is available for sale in all territories. “Tim Travers and the Time Traveler’s Paradox” premiered at the 2024 Cinequest Film Festival, where it won Best Comedy Feature. It has also screened at Dances With Films, SIFF, BIFFF, and the Phoenix International Film Festival, where it won Best Science Fiction Feature.

Interview with the Writer and Director of “Tim Travers and the Time Traveler’s Paradox”

In this interview, the director, Stimson Snead, discusses the inspiration behind his new time travel film, sharing how a disappointing movie at a film festival motivated him to create a better one. He focused on the real science of time travel and incorporated humor into the story. The director delves into the time travel paradox, also known as the grandfather paradox, and its role in the film’s storyline. The movie features multiple versions of the main character, each with unique experiences, and explores themes of self-acceptance and self-discovery. The director also discusses the challenges of balancing violence, comedy, and character development, and shares insights into the production and casting process. Overall, the director hopes the film will entertain audiences, resonate with those who need its message of self-acceptance, and leave a lasting impact.

The Time Travel Paradox

Rather than just disliking a time travel movie he saw at a film festival, the director turned his frustration into fuel for a new project. He aimed to create a superior time travel film that blended humor with real scientific theories.

Originally envisioned as a short film, the concept expanded into a feature-length exploration of time travel. The film delves into why time travel, as we understand it, isn’t possible. It also tackles complex concepts like the grandfather paradox and the potential role of black holes in manipulating time.

 

This central theme, the grandfather paradox, is a thought experiment that challenges the very idea of time travel. It asks: what if someone traveled back in time and killed their younger self or grandfather? This paradox exists because if the person were killed in the past, they wouldn’t exist to travel back in time, yet they must exist to have done so.

I saw a time travel movie at an independent film festival, and I hated it. It got me thinking about what I would do differently with the subject matter. I wanted to make a movie that digs into the actual science and treats it as something interesting in and of itself.

Balancing Violence, Comedy, and Character Development:

The film boldly introduces multiple versions of the main character, Tim Travers, each embodying unique experiences and perspectives, adding depth and complexity to the narrative. The story propels Tim on a journey of self-discovery, ultimately leading him to embrace self-acceptance and love.

The director’s comedic instincts infuse the film with maximum humor, grounding the jokes in reality for enhanced relatability. As the film progresses, it seamlessly transitions into more serious emotional territory, allowing for a well-rounded viewing experience. Each character reacts uniquely to Tim, driving his personal growth.

Production and Casting:

The film was shot efficiently in 17 days, with an additional four days for pickups. Notably, the cast includes well-known actors such as Danny Trejo, Keith David, and Felicia Day. The director deliberately cast against type, aiming to subvert audience expectations and amplify the comedic effect.

Part of what makes these people legends is that they’re professionals. There’s no weird drama. They’re just low-key, easy-to-work-with folks who bring their A-game. …The writing had to go so fast on this. The biggest surprises were the tools I would find to work with. I think of “Tim Travers” as a spare parts movie in the sense that a lot of our sets, locations, even characters in a few cases, were put together based on what was available to me.

Above all, the director hopes audiences have a fun time watching the movie. He also hopes it resonates with those who grapple with self-acceptance. As the film charts Tim’s journey from nihilism to self-discovery. The director’s emphasis on having fun while watching the film doesn’t detract from his desire for it to leave a lasting, positive impact.

First and foremost, I want people to have a great time. This is a funny movie, so I hope people really just have a fun time watching it. But my deeper hope is that beyond having that fun time, that maybe this speaks to certain people who need the message that this film conveys. So my hope is that they come for the laughs, stay for the tears.

Find “Tim Travers & the Time Traveler’s Paradox” at San Diego Comic-Con!

Join the creatives and cast of “Tim Travers & the Time Traveler’s Paradox” for a panel discussion on July 25, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at San Diego Comic-Con.

Panelists:

• Writer/Director Stimson Snead
• Stars Sam Dunning, Felicia Day, David Babbit, Nicole Murray
• Editor Jason McKee
• Producer Ben Yennie

Moderator: Doug Jones

Location: Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront

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