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Your new film Main
Character Energy - in a few words, what's it about?
Main
Character Energy follows the journey of an actor who attends an open
casting call, only to overlook a crucial detail in the character
description. As the story unfolds, it delves into the complexities of
gender identity and its impact within the entertainment industry and
broader society. How did the project fall together in the first place, and
what drew you to its screenplay? I
sought a film project that would be both budget-friendly and resonate with
the prevailing societal themes. During discussions with Nick, he mentioned
a script he had penned during his college days, some 12 years back. Upon
reviewing it, I sensed an exciting opportunity to not only showcase my
filmmaking prowess but also to tackle a subject matter that resonates
deeply with audiences and offers comedic insight. Gender discussions have
become ubiquitous in recent years, after all. We expanded upon the
original script, collaborating closely to enhance its structure and inject
additional humor, notably with the inclusion of an audition scene. With a
refined script in hand, our focus shifted to casting the perfect talent to
breathe life into these characters. What can you tell us
about Main
Character Energy's screenwriter Nicholas Begnaud, and what was
your collaboration like? Nick's
a jack-of-all-trades: a brilliant writer, art director, and he even
whipped up all the poster art for the film. We've teamed up on loads of
projects before, like the short I directed, Taste the Difference, and a
feature we produced called Active Shooter. Our twisted senses of humor
sync up perfectly, making collaboration a breeze. It's great—I can focus
on my strengths while he works his magic on his. How did you
and Nicholas Begnaud first meet even? Once I decided to take the leap to LA, I was
eager to connect with fellow industry folks. That's when I reached out to
Nick via Facebook, knowing he had also interned at Eclectic. After finally
settling in LA in 2014, we met up to chat about our aspirations in the
business, and from there, our partnership blossomed. While we've penned
several screenplays together that haven't hit the big screen, those
collaborations helped us understand our strengths and refine our creative
process. Even now, years later, we're still bouncing ideas off each other,
keeping the creative juices flowing.
Do talk about Main
Character Energy's brand of humour for a bit! With Main
Character Energy, our aim was to shed light on the absurdity of the
audition process while also conveying a meaningful message. Let's face it,
most actors loathe auditions; they'd much rather have roles come to them
than constantly vie for them. That's what made this script stand out. Not
only does it highlight the absurdity of auditions, but it also playfully
tackles gender norms and the industry's fixation on political correctness
over substance—like a killer script, top-notch talent, and a gripping
storyline. Our goal was simple: to have a blast making it, and hopefully,
the audience will have just as much fun watching it. A
few words about your overall directorial approach to your story at hand? So,
this marks my third venture into directing short films. The first was a
suspenseful thriller dripping with blood, while the second, penned by
Nick, took a darker comedic turn. This time around, it's all about the
laughs. With each film, I've been honing my directing skills and defining
my own style. For this project, my focus was on crafting a winning script,
assembling the perfect cast, and collaborating closely to breathe life
into these characters. This involved in-depth discussions with everyone
involved and meticulous planning to ensure our vision came to fruition.
From the talented cast to the dedicated crew, each member contributed
immensely, understanding and elevating the overall vision with their
skills and expertise. You also make a cameo appearance in Main
Character Energy as a director - so how much of yourself can we
find in your character?
It's pretty ironic, really. As a kid, I dreamed of being an actor, looking up
to the likes of Jim Carrey. But when it came down to it, I never felt at
ease in front of the camera. In my previous films, you might spot me
lingering in the background, silent and unassuming. However, for this one,
stepping into the role of "the director" felt fitting,
considering the narrative. Now, I hope I didn't come off as the
stereotypical, pompous director depicted in the short. It was more of a
caricature of myself, exaggerated for comedic effect. Playing "the
director" allowed us to toy with the idea of the film being a play
within a play—it just clicked. As I grow more comfortable in front of
the camera, I reckon you'll see more of me in my own projects. Life's too
short to hold back, right? What can you tell us about the
rest of Main
Character Energy's cast, and why exactly these people? Mark
Prendergast, who portrays Brian Scott, and Carlo Malis, playing Carter, are close friends of
mine. Taylor Joree Scorse, taking on the role of Lizzie Mason, came highly recommended.
For the supporting roles, we tapped into our circle of friends, with even my sister joining
in as background talent. The remaining roles were filled through
auditions, which was a bit of a twist. Getting the right cast was crucial
to nailing the comedy, ensuring each actor slipped seamlessly into their
character. Interestingly, most of the cast members with speaking parts,
aside from myself, have backgrounds in theater, which made directing them
a breeze. With everyone aligned on the character arcs, it was an absolute
blast collaborating with them.
Do talk about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere! I
can't even put into words how much I adore being on set—it's like fuel
for my soul. The energy, the constant movement, even during breaks, is
invigorating. There's always something brewing, always a plan in motion.
Despite the tight schedule, we moved swiftly on this shoot, thanks to
meticulous planning. Working with the right team was crucial. Everyone was
on board, pulling their weight to keep things rolling smoothly. We had a
blast, and I cherished every single minute of it. The
$64-question of course, where can Main
Character Energy be seen? We
recently had a screening at the Sedona International Film Festival, and
next month, we're thrilled to be showcasing at the Sarasota Film
Festival. Following that, we'll be releasing the film online for audiences worldwide
to enjoy. I'm eagerly anticipating the moment when everyone can see it.
I'm incredibly proud of the hard work put in by our team, and I can't wait
for it to be shared with the world. Anything you can tell
us about audience and critical reception of Main
Character Energy? The feedback we've received so far has been fantastic. The jokes are hitting
their mark, and the film has sparked meaningful conversations about gender
roles. As a first-time director of a straightforward comedy, I'm thrilled
with the positive response we've been getting.
Any future projects you'd like to share? Nick and I have been striving to film a particular short for the past few
years, but we've encountered setbacks along the way. However, my ultimate
aspiration is to direct a feature film. While making shorts has been
enjoyable and has helped me refine my style and artistic identity to some
extent, I aspire to delve even further into the realm of storytelling and
bring to fruition some of the feature films we've penned. What got you into filmmaking in the first
place, and did you receive any formal training on the subject? I
never received formal training or attended film school. My journey into
filmmaking was born out of a simple love for movies and a belief that if
others could do it, why couldn't I? During my college years, I delved deep
into understanding the mechanics of filmmaking. I devoured books, watched
countless how-to videos on YouTube, and soaked up interviews with
directors like Tarantino and Scorsese, becoming utterly obsessed with the
craft. The next natural step was to dive in and start creating, learning
from each mistake along the way. Taking risks has always been my thing. My
first short film, Insentient, was a crash course that taught me
invaluable lessons on what works and what doesn't in the world of
filmmaking. What can you tell us about your filmwork prior to Main
Character Energy? I've
spent more time producing for others than directing my own projects, and
surprisingly, I think it's made me a better filmmaker. Working on other
people's projects and bringing their visions to life has given me
invaluable insights into my own craft. Collaborating with individuals who
have different styles than mine has been particularly enlightening. I used
to have a big ego when I first arrived in LA, especially after my initial
short film found success at festivals. I convinced myself that I would
only create projects that I personally wrote. However, I've since learned
to let go of that ego and embrace collaboration, recognizing that everyone
has something valuable to offer and teach.
How would you describe yourself as a director? The project is always the top priority for me, which means I prioritize
listening to those around me who possess greater expertise. It's the most
effective way to grow and improve in your craft. Whether it's members of
the cast or crew, I recognize that I don't have all the answers. Success
hinges on setting aside ego and being open to listening and learning from
others. If an actor suggests delivering a line differently, we'll give it
a shot. Directing is akin to a dance, and it's crucial that we move
together harmoniously to avoid setting ourselves and our team up for
failure. Filmmakers who inspire you? Anyone
involved in filmmaking is inspiring, simply because getting a project off
the ground is such a daunting task. There's an abundance of talent out
there, and it's hard not to be inspired by the dedication and creativity
of fellow filmmakers. However, if I had to pick some classic inspirations,
I'd go with Tarantino, Scorsese, Nolan, and Hitchcock. I can watch their
movies over and over again. Your
favourite movies? Goodfellas,
Pulp Fiction and Psycho are just a few examples.
... and of course, films you really deplore?
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I'd prefer not to disclose. It's a bit of a risky question to respond to.
Let’s just say I don’t like movies that try to force an agenda. Your/your movie's website, social media, whatever else?
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22793840/
Instagram: @mcefilm Anything else you're dying to mention and I have
merely forgotten to ask? Thank you for this interview. I also want to thank our extremely talented cast
and crew. This film would have been impossible without their dedication. Thanks for the interview!
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