You've recently been assistant director on the movie Maturing
Youth - so first of all, what's that movie about?
Maturing
Youth
from R&F Entertainment
is about an irresponsible
and immature young man named Roger, played by Sean A. Kaufman [Sean
A. Kaufman interview - click here], who
doesn’t want to accept responsibilities with his life and the only thing
he does is live off his parents' income. Soon after finding out that he has
a child, named Junior played by both Joshua St. Leger [Joshua
St. Leger interview - click here] and Albee Castro [Albee
Castro interview - click here],
and has to take care of him, he starts to change his ways and be more
responsible towards his son. So
how did you end up being assistant director on Maturing
Youth in the first place? Originally, I was offered
to be second assistant director for Maturing
Youth
by producer Chase Michael Pallante [Chase
Michael Pallante interview - click here] and I accepted the role because I’ve directed my own
films before and I had a good understanding of the job that was needed. A
few weeks later into pre production, Chase informed me that he wanted to
give me the first assistant director role instead and I was more than
happy to accept. Do take those who have
never been on a filmset through the process, what does an assistant
director do, actually, both in general and specifically regarding your
work on Maturing Youth? The
first assistant’s role is not only to handle the schedules and
cast/crew call sheets, but we are also responsible for the health and
safety of the entire set. Besides working side by side with the film's
director Divoni Simon and the producer to make sure everything runs
smoothly, we also make sure that everyone is doing their respective jobs. What
can you tell us about your director Divoni Simon [Divoni
Simon interview - click here], and what was your collaboration
like?
courtesy of R&F Entertainment
|
Divoni Simon is a great film director. To know that
this was his first film, he sure did an amazing job working side by side
with the director of photography Zach Mayor to get his vision out there,
and get the shots and angles that he wanted to tell the story. You also appear in front of the camera in
Maturing
Youth - so do talk about your character for a bit! I
played the babysitter that was hired to take care of Junior. I had
volunteered to be the babysitter, since there was no one else that wanted
to play the character from the crew. I thought it was pretty cool to not
only be in charge of the set but to also have fun in front of the cameras. A
few words about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere? As
an assistant director, I learned so much about what really goes on in the
behind the scenes and the level of responsibilities from pre-production to
on-set and post production. It wasn’t easy for me at first, since
I’ve never worked as an AD in a professional set with so many crew
members. But little by little, I got the hang of it learned from
Chase and other crew members as well.
Any
future projects you'd like to share?
I have been working on
a webseries called Beyond Scope which will be premiering December 8th at
the AMC Disney Springs Theater. Also I have published my first novel
called Detarru Island, which is now available on Amazon and Barnes and
Noble. As far as I know,
you initially entered the filmworld as an actress - so what got you into
acting in the first place, and did you receive any formal training on the
subject? I never went to school for acting so when I first
started as an actress it was really hard for me since I really didn’t
know a lot about the industry. Since I didn’t even have a resume yet, I
started off by getting into background acting and then little by little I
made my way into speaking roles. How would you describe yourself as an actress,
and some of your techniques to bring your characters to life? I
describe myself as an badass actress. I always like to play powerful
female characters because it is a mirror of my own personality. I can
relate a lot better with these type of roles because I myself love
challenges, and love to be in charge. Some of the techniques I use
before I play a character, I always put myself in the character’s shoes.
I analyze what she’s feeling at the moment and also stay in character
before I shoot my scene.
photography by Jillian Joseph
courtesy of R&F Entertainment |
Of
late, you have also stepped behind the camera on several occasions - so
what prompted that move? As I mentioned before, starting
off as an actress and not knowing anything about the industry its really
hard. But after working on a few films, I started networking with other
actors and crewmembers and getting the experience I needed. I
observed how the crew worked and what was necessary to film. Since then, I
decided that I wanted to film my own productions and started writing my
own scripts. Little by little I started building my brand and my name as
well as my network. Actresses, filmmakers,
whoever else who inspire you? From director's position, I
was always inspired by Steven Spielberg because just like everyone else,
he worked very hard to get to where he is right now and not a lot of
people believed in his work. But even though he went through tough times,
he didn’t give up and was finally given an opportunity to proof his
skills as a film director and it was in that moment that he came up with
the movie Jaws and it made history. Your
favourite movies? Aliens, The Collector, Predator,
Jurassic Park, Dawn
of the Dead, The
Exorcist and Halloween.
... and of course, films you really
deplore? Love all movies, but if I’d have to choose then
I never really liked The Purge. Your website, Facebook, whatever else?
My website is
mickeydeymon.com
Facebook/mickeydeymon
Instagram: mickeydeymon
Anything
else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?
|
Feeling lucky? Want to search any of my partnershops yourself for more, better results? (commissions earned) |
The links below will take you just there!!!
|
|
|
Maturing
Youth
is making its world premiere at the augural Cutting Room
International Short Film Festival in New York City. For more information
and details go to
www.MATURINGYOUTH.com
Follow the
film here:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/maturingyouthfilm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/maturingyouth
Website: www.MATURINGYOUTH.com
Thanks
for the interview!
|