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You are currently in the process of shooting Imported Affairs.
In a few words, what is the film about?
This is a buddy cop film, best way to describe it. It's about a
Columbian drug lord that's on the run from a renegade Columbian police
officer. And to make matters worst they team him up, the renegade
Columbian officer, with a renegade American police officer. Think Rush
Hour meets Lethal Weapon, meets Miami Vice.
What can you tell us about the shoot so far?
The film so far has had a very interesting shooting schedule.
We film primarily on weekends. The thing is everyone is working on back
end deals but I have had the fortune of not having too many
businesses hesitating in getting involved. Basically meaning that finding
locations for ideal shoots has worked out, I just have to film around
their slowest working days or when they're close.
Adonis E.Charles |
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Richard
Siggins |
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What can you tell us about your cast?
This film is full of some of the next best or up
and coming actors. We have Ronald Acha, Gustavo Perez for the
Latin/Hispanic community. Also worth mentioning are David Vogel, Mike
Newman, Clay Maples, and even the two leads, Richard Siggins and Adonis
Charles are all going to be household names, it's just a matter of time.
The cast has been very dedicated to the project. I
couldn't have ask for a better set of talented individuals.
A few words about your crew?
My crew is very small compared to anything else. I really can't say
much about my crew other then it’s been interesting. I actually wear a
lot of hats on my production team. Not only am I the director but I'm also
the cinematographer. I actually have two dedicated crew members that show
up at almost every shoot. My main concern really is to have the shots I
need, the audio captured, and some stills ready to be posted online.
Everything else can be handled in post. I'm very lucky that I'm able to
master a lot of different production skills.
Your main inspirations for making the film?
One of the greatest filmmakers out there and most
inspirational is Robert Rodriguez. Mr. Rodriguez writes and produces most
of his own films, but the film that started all for him was El Mariachi.
A film that was shot and produced for a little under 8,000 Dollars. This film is also inspired by all the great action films of my
generation. In a lot of ways I took scenes that I saw in movies such as Lethal
Weapon and just gave them my own creative spin, my own
interpretation. I figured this could be my homage to El Mariachi and
the clique action genre.
Why a gangster movie? Is this a genre dear to you?
First of all this is not a gangster movie, is a cop movie. A
typical cat and mouse film. It's more of an action adventure with a flair
of comedy.
When and where will the film be out (presumably)?
This film will probably be released sometime early next year
(2010) and it will probably play around Central Florida and small
communities’ nation wide, have somewhat of a limited release.
How hard is it to get an independent feature off the ground in
Florida, and a few words on the Florida indie film scene?
Florida is probably a good place to start. There is a lot of support
for independent cinema and filmmakers such as myself in the state of
Florida. There is a lot of talent here.
How
did you get started in the indie film scene, and your films so far? I
got started like many filmmakers, with an idea. I've been producing since
my high school days but it wasn’t till 2005 that I really took myself
seriously. That year I self produced my first short film, Lee Ann, which
got some attention. The film was shot with no microphone and using a Hi-8
video camera. I played it at two venues and the audience could clearly see
that there was something there. I found it interesting
that the story could still captivate people's attention aside from all the
technical difficulties.
Any
future projects you'd like to talk about? Currently I'm
producing a documentary about the United States and how far we have come
in the last century. It's actually a documentary about the people that
made this nation great, and how change has really destroyed what our
founding fathers set out to do. The project is titled Area 52 America.
What can you tell us
about your F.I.L.M.-project?
When I started the F.I.L.M site I really wanted it to
be a place for actors, writers, directors, and/or any like minded people
to come and just intermingle with one another. The site took a life of its
own and now is home to over 400 members. I'm also about to launch the I
AM F.I.L.M campaign - the basic idea is for every member, or anyone for
that matter, to produce a short introductory video, telling us a bit about
themselves and their craft. I look forward to being the first to
contribute to this.
I also just started a similar website for the
Latin/Hispanic community called L.I.F.E. or Latinos in Film
Entertainment.
A quote of yours goes
"Film is not just an art form, it's a sense of self expression".
Would you like to elaborate on that? To me personality FILM
is really an art form, a visual style of speaking your mind. Art and film
are not that different, like I said earlier I'm a storyteller first and
foremost. I'm a writer and as a writer I have learned that I clearly have
a statement to make. My main goal with every short film, music video,
and/or feature is to be able to make a clear statement about certain
things or situations. Art and film are pretty much one and the same to me.
One just involves more verbal interpretations. Your website, MySpace,
whatever else? The number one thing about me is I’m all
about networking. I find that the best way to make a name for one self is
to take advantage of everything there is to offer. This is why Imported Affairs can be found on both
MySpace and Facebook and the
infamous Ning sites. Ning has become very popular among web
hosts. Three of
my sites are Ning-related: FILM, LIFE and Imported
Affairs. Ning sites are
also so easy to operate and have a lot of tools to offer. Lol, I feel like
I'm endorsing them but I'm really happy with what they have to offer for
any networking individual such as myself.
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Your favourite directors, and why?
I have a few but right off the top of my head are
three; Robert Rodriguez, Sam Mendes and Steven Spielberg. Rodriguez mainly
because he did it on his own terms. The man is the true definition of a
guerilla filmmaker that can make it to the pros. There isn't anything he
cannot do. He has mastered every skill there is to filmmaking.
Mendes is just a great storyteller. His films have
impacted me in more ways than one. From American Beauty to The Kite
Runner. He sure knows how to capture the feel and emotional depths of each
and everyone of his characters and the environments he is trying to
create.
As for Spielberg? Where can I begin? When someone
says then name Spielberg, they are talking about a God, the God of
filmmakers. This man can not only tell a story but he can also make a
point. Like Schindler's List. The man has mastered both extreme media and
personal preference. He is truly what young filmmakers such as myself
would like. A career where both the studio is happy and you as an
individual can be in contempt with yourself.
Movies
you really liked, both recent films and all-time favourites? I
really enjoy all the genres of film so for you to ask me to narrow it down
a bit isn't going to be easy. I can probably name a few like Halloween,
Scream, Face-Off, Titanic, The Departed, War of the
Worlds, Fools Rush In,
Home Room, 300, Saw,
12 Angry Men. I'm a fan of all types of films. I like
both Hollywood blockbusters as well as indie hits. I'm not opposed to
mainstream cinema. It's really about the characters and how well involved
they are with the situations they are put in for the sake of the
storyline. And
of course, some films you really deplored? There isn't a
movie that I hate. I try to think that even a bad movie can teach me a
lesson. We have to appreciate everything that is out there and just take
what we can from each movie experience - although Godzilla was pretty
boring. I'm not sure what Emmerich was thinking but that film was a big
mistake. By the numbers: budget 130 million - earn 136 million. Anything else you
are dying to tell us and I've just forgotten to ask? This
is for anyone that is just getting started. Take a look around you and
write with what you got. Try to incorporate what you have and take it as
far as you can take it. As a storyteller my number one
rule is to see how much I can get away with, with what I have available
around me - and trust me creativity is key here. Challenge yourself as a
filmmaker and as a writer and try to find a middle ground. It takes guts
to make things happen and a lot of determination. Nothing is impossible,
it’s just a matter of how you look at things. Thanks for
the interview!
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