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Your new movie Dreaming
Hollywood - in a few words, what is it about?
A dark satire about a lonely ex-con driven to violence when he
discovers that his precious movie idea has been stolen. What
were your sources of inspiration when writing Dreaming
Hollywood - and is any of it based on personal experience? I thought it would be interesting to explore an untalented
character's drive to be accepted as an industry luminary, only to have
his dreams crushed in the most ironic way possible - his material being
stolen. I have never been stolen from, I don't think, but I can be
protective of my material. To
what extent could you actually identify with your film's lead character
Ray? I am like Ray in the same way that most of us are like Ray.
We crave love, power, and acceptance. How would you describe your directorial approach to
your story at hand? My directorial approach ... I basically try not to think of
my cinema heroes too much and prefer to let their influence come
out instinctively as I write, direct, or compose shots.
You also appear in front of the
camera in Dreaming
Hollywood - so what can you tell us about your character, and did
you write himself with yourself in mind from the get-go? I needed a likable character to function as the cautionary
tale. One who does his best to guide Ray during his ordeal.
There was no one else to play him so I just jumped in. Do
talk about the rest of your movie's key cast, and why exactly these
people? We were blessed to just chance upon these wonderful actors.
They were intrigued by the material so they would recommend their own
set of friends to come up and audition. We got lucky, they were so
talented. Dreaming
Hollywood features some wonderful and wonderfully fitting run-down
locations - so how did you find them all, and what was it like filming
there? I've always been fascinated by desolate images, who knows why.
I was in Palmdale, CA, and I would look upon the vast barren land and
thought, "I'll do my exteriors here." Shooting there was
fine except for some very cold days.
What can you tell us about the shoot as such, and
the on-set atmosphere? The on-set atmosphere was loose. We all encouraged each
other and we would do minimal takes. Very little tension. Anything you can tell us about
audience and critical reception of Dreaming
Hollywood?
There have been some very good reviews. Typically when
something negative was said in a review they would counter with
something that impressed them. That's fair.
At our premiere screening, the audience laughed at most of the right
spots and gasped at most of the right spots. After it was over,
most everyone stayed in the lobby to celebrate each other's
contributions. Any future projects you'd like to
share? We are developing a more conventional
project, less quirk, more straight-ahead horror. Don't know if
we'll produce it but we hope to at least pitch the script around. What got you into filmmaking in the first place,
and did you receive any formal education on the subject? I would daydream a lot as a kid, not realizing that I
wanted to make movies all along. Then, in my 30s, I went to a
year of film school and then decided to leave to and into the ring,
ignorant and green.
What
can you tell us about your filmwork prior to Dreaming
Hollywood? My film work prior to Dreaming
Hollywood was just some silly YouTube videos,
and I did write and produce an irreverent family comedy short called Heirloom. How would you describe yourself as a
director? Me as a director? Hmmm... .I love people being
themselves. I require minimal takes. Actors can improvise
sometimes, not always. I don't yell, but I do regret a few times
when I behaved a little too precious. I'm growing. I want
people to be happy and feel inspired when working with me. Filmmakers who inspire you? The Coens, David Lynch, Lumet, Lean, Kubrick, Tarantino, Alan
Parker, Almodovar, Scorcese, DePalma, Friedkin, Curtiz... goes on and
on... Your
favourite movies? Falcon and the Snowman, Network,
Exorcist, The Omen,
Rosemary's Baby, Caine Mutiny, Mildred Pierce,
Carrie... goes on and on... ... and of course, films you really
deplore?
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Do I deplore any? Hmmmm... the ones that preach to us or that
treat us like we're not intelligent. Your/your movie's website, social media,
whatever else? You can find us at @dreaminghollywoodfilm on Facebook,
Instagram, and Twitter. Anything else you're dying to mention and
I have merely forgotten to ask? Something I am dying to mention??
Yessss... watched a
French movie called Titane. Mind-blowing Enjoy! Thanks for the
interview!
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