An Interview with Mario Cerrito, Director of The Listing

by Mike Haberfelner

November 2019

Films directed by Mario Cerrito on (re)Search my Trash

Your new movie The Listing - in a few words, what is it about?

The Listing is a suspense thriller about a father and realtor who will do just about ANYTHING to get his kidnapped son back.

To what degree could you identify with the lead character of The Listing? And how far would you go when it comes to saving your loved ones?

I can identify with the lead character of The Listing a lot! I have a son who is the world to me. If something ever happened to him and I was put to the test, I would do just about anything.

What were your sources of inspiration when writing The Listing?

It’s funny you asked. When I first wrote the movie, I had read somewhere that a realtor was held against their will when showing a house. That is sort of what inspired the film premise. However, the film took a different route when I was editing. I welcomed the birth of our son and I really put my emotions from being a father and the love I had for him into this film.

How would you describe The Listing's approach to the thriller genre?

I think The Listing creates a good deal of suspense and also puts the viewers in a guessing game situation. I feel it entertains throughout, which is my goal as a filmmaker.

With The Listing taking place mostly in and around a particular house, what can you tell us about your location, and what was it like filming there? And with limited locations, what were some of your techniques to keep things interesting visually?

The location was given to me by one of the producers. His parents owned the house and they were very nice to let a film crew film there for like 7 days. It was a great spot because they let us do our thing without interruption.

With limited budgets and locations, you always have to constantly be creative. To keep things interesting you have to really constantly come up with ideas on the fly or even in post production.

What can you tell us about your overall directorial approach to your story at hand?

With this story I wanted people to really feel for the main character, Michael. Bernard Glincosky and I had worked on a film prior to this together so we had some good chemistry. I would really convey to him the feel of the scene or what Michael should be expressing. He did a great job with it. I also wanted to really keep the movie entertaining, without really giving a lull or break in the storyline/action.

Do talk about your key cast, and why exactly these people?

Bernard Glincosky, John DiRenzo, Jessica Cameron [Jessica Cameron interview - click here], Julie Stackhouse were the key cast members for this movie. All of them did a really good job in their roles.

Bernard as I previously mentioned along with John DiRenzo worked with me on my first film Deadly Gamble. I cast them early as I knew they were dedicated, ferocious and go getters. I brought in Jessica Cameron because she’s a genre favorite and I had the perfect role for her. Julie Stackhouse was cast later in the process and she did a phenomenal job for me as well.

A few words about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere?

The shoot was tough. It almost didn’t happen. Halfway through filming, the budget started to get tight and we had a car accident on set which cost s good deal of money. It came down to a meeting with the cast and crew to see what we could do about continuing the movie. We all pulled together and got the film done. The on set atmosphere was business driven. We were all working for a common goal - a great film.

Anything you can tell us about audience and critical reception of The Listing?

The Listing is getting great feedback. The reviews have been great. We actually made it on the shelves in a few Barnes and Noble stores across the country which is crazy cool for an independent filmmaker.

Any future projects you'd like to share?

I have a cult-like horror movie coming very soon titled, Human Hibachi. It’s very different, very cool.

What got you into filmmaking in the first place, and did you receive any formal training on the subject?

Jessica Cameron

I wrote a screenplay in 2007. Was always a dream to see something I wrote turned into a movie. I had no clue how to get it made and put it away. I met my then girlfriend (now wife) in 2011. She read it and said I should try and get it made. Again, having no clue how, I set out to Facebook to try and look up producers. I ended up finding one and we did a small project together. We had a falling out but the things I learned from him is what led me to where I am now. No formal training, self-taught.

What can you tell us about your filmwork prior to The Listing?

I wrote, produced, directed and edited, Deadly Gamble. That was my first feature film which was made on a $10,000 budget. It was signed by Cinema Epoch for worldwide release. It was on Cable VOD, EPIX, Google Play, Fandango Now and many others.

How would you describe yourself as a director?

Very thorough.

Filmmakers who inspire you?

Martin Scorsese, Tarantino, John Carpenter.

Your favourite movies?

Halloween, Goodfellas, Pulp Fiction, Rocky.

Feeling lucky? Want to search any of my partnershops yourself for more, better results? (commissions earned)

The links below will take you just there!!!

Find Mario Cerrito at the amazons ...   amazon.com   amazon.co.uk   amazon.de Looking for imports? Find Mario Cerrito here ...   eThaiCD.com Your shop for all things Thai

Your/your movie's website, Facebook, whatever else?

@MarioCerritoIII on Facebook (verified account) is my fanpage.

@TheListing is The Listing page.

@CerritoProductions is my production page.

Anything else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?

You asked some good stuff! Keep looking out for my future work!

Thanks for the interview!

Thank you!!

© by Mike Haberfelner

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