First off, simply tell the readers in your own words who you are and a bit
about yourself?
I'm an independent filmmaker who mostly does horror. I immigrated from Uruguay
in the late 90s, and since then I've made a bunch of horror flicks, plus some
dramas and one comedy. I also work as a full time TV producer for PBS.
As we speak, you are finishing up a new Frankenstein-film, are you not?
I would say I'm half way through with Frankenstein: Day of the Beast. I'm done with shooting, but only 30
minutes into the first cut in post-production.
Considering the title, how would this film differentiate from the host of
other films already out over the decades with the Frankenstein-title or
-topic?
Hopefully not much, or Frankenstein-lovers will hate me. However, my take on
Frankenstein
is focussed only on the events that happen during that terrible
wedding night when the monster is out to get Elizabeth. So in that regards, I
think it's a pretty innovative take on the Mary Shelley's classic.
Since you are based in the Midwest, do you plan to attend the traditional
fan fests, horror fests and the like that are always being run in this area,
once the film is out?
I don't have any specific plans, but I guess I probably will. I am aware of
how important this can be to promote a movie like Frankenstein: Day of the Beast.
Where should the film be found, available or ordered?
At this point we haven't reached out to any distributors yet, although a
couple of distributors have reached out to us as soon as they found out about
the movie... which is interesting. Before we start working any kind of
distribution deal, we are planning on four-walling it ourselves to audiences
in the Chicago area, and depending on how it goes, maybe other cities too.
Do you have any web pages for yourself or this film?
The best way to keep up with our progress on Frankenstein: Day of the Beast
is
by going to our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/Frankenstein2011
Any other plans for new projects following this one?
Several scripts, but none chosen yet. I like to enjoy the process of what I
do, so thinking of a next project when I'm still half way with the current one is an unwanted distraction really. Let's say to me it's not about the
destination as much as it is about the ride.
Is production your preferred role in film, rather than acting, directing
and the like?
I like everything about filmmaking. The best moments of my life have been on
sets sharing precious moments with crazy people.
What in your opinion makes a good producer?
You need to have a mix of
creative and engineer. It takes a balance between right and left brain. If you
act like an engineer (specially in the early stages of a project) you can lay
out the structure so that later you can enjoy letting go and be crazy
passionate like an artist. Too much or too little of these two qualities break
up this balance, and things might end up being soul-less dry or too
intuitional going nowhere.
Any interesting behind the scenes stories concerning the creation of Frankenstein: Day of the Beast?
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We pushed a fight scene in the water to the last day of shoot, calculating it
would be warmer for the actors since it was shot in early Spring, (that was
the engineer part of me). No engineer can control weather tho, so we ended up
shooting the fight scene in gloomy cold day. But actors Adam Stephenson and
Paul Barile were real troopers and pulled it off real good.
The whole idea sounds intriguing, but out of curiosity, what made you
decide to go with this particular story and concept?
I like to make the movies I would like to see. I have always loved Frankenstein, (movies and the novel), but I hadn't seen a movie where the
monster is really scary. So hopefully I will be able to give the audience and
myself and good 90 minutes of horror fun for the years to come.
Not wanting to make you sound biased toward any individual, but among cast
and crew is there anyone who really stands out as going beyond the call, that
you would really recommenced as exceptional?
No, I don't have any individual preference. In general I can say that this was
one of those rare occasions when everybody seems to be in tune with the
project beyond "an acting gig". It was a real work of passion and
love.
Closing comments?
If audiences enjoy watching this movie at least 20 percent of how much we
enjoyed making it, it'll be a great hit.
Thanks for the interview!
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