Many people enter the film industry through a family member or friend. In your case, how did you enter the film industry?
I had always loved watching movies growing up. Like many people, movies provided a safe refuge from the world. After spending years in unsatisfying jobs I finally realized that movies were the only thing I was ever truly passionate about. I finally took the leap, a little later than many, but I eventually decided to enroll in film school.

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Why did you decide to make movies?

Being a filmmaker is the only thing I have ever wanted to do. Even if it took me decades to figure that out. Even as a kid, I would always explore all of the special features on the family DVD’s. I was always so hungry for knowledge when it came to filmmaking. I was always so fascinated with all the documentaries, commentaries and behind-the-scenes aspects of film. I think on some level I always knew that I wanted to be a part of it.

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Tell us about your project, why did you start it and how did it come about?

I’ve always really enjoyed films that blended the horror and comedy genres. I grew up watching films like Beetlejuice along with the campy 80’s slashers like the Nightmare on Elm Street film series. When given the opportunity to create my own film for my Capstone Film class, I immediately jumped at the opportunity to make my own version of a horror/comedy film. The result... The To-DoN’T List. The To-DoN’T List was my fun way to pay tribute to the two genres that I love the most. My ridiculous sense of humor, that was arguably forged by these movies, really lent itself to this creative exercise.

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Had you previously been in another project? How was your experience?

I’ve only worked on student film productions up to this point. With varying results. I’ve really enjoyed it for the most part. Everyone is there learning just like you are, and there’s so much room to just really learn and grow from these experiences. Learning how to use new equipment, getting to see my peers and collaborators really grow as strong filmmakers in their own right has been an amazing experience. Like most things though, there were definitely some growing pains. Learning to work with others with different sensibilities proved to be challenging at times. Ultimately though, it’s those experiences that are the most valuable. It’s really all about how we respond to those challenges that make you a stronger and more seasoned filmmaker.

 

The best and the worst of this project is...
The best part of this project was really having the opportunity to see my idea, start to finish, come to fruition. Seeing something that I so heavily invested myself into creating being so positively received by my peers was rewarding in a way that I can’t ever properly put into words. The worst part by far was trying to learn how to work with a green screen. That was something that definitely challenged my patience... but again, it ultimately proved to be a great lesson for me in how to do things differently moving forward.

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If you could go back in time, would you change anything about filming or pre-production?
In a perfect world I would have had at least another day of shooting. As I previously mentioned, this film was created as my capstone thesis film. Among other specific parameters, my classmates and I were given only a single 12-hour day to shoot our projects. I love the way my film turned out, but you better believe I would have dedicated more time to work with my lighting. There are a few shots I wasn’t able to get due to my time constraints either. There are definitely ways that the film would have ultimately benefited if I had even one more day for shooting.

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What do you expect from festivals for your project?

I expect them to judge the film accordingly. I submit my film into the Student Film categories when I am able to do so, because it is in fact a student film. With that being said, however, I wouldn’t be submitting my film for consideration at all if I didn’t feel that it could honestly compete with all the other great films out there. I absolutely believe in my film and my talent as a filmmaker, given my limited resources. It’s my hope that the festivals can see that too, and give my film genuine consideration when viewing it.

 

Do you have experience in film festivals, how has your experience been?

This is actually my first experience with film festivals! I submitted my film at my school's film festival where it won the Audience Choice award. You could say that actually emboldened me to submit it to other festivals and film contests. Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to have my film selected for several festivals and competitions. I am beyond honored to have my little passion project being considered among so many other great films out there!

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Many of the projects we receive are self-financed, without any producer behind them, which makes all the processes very difficult. Can you tell us what the pre-production process was? Did you do it, did they help you?
I attended a school with a very small film production program. Funding for our projects is virtually non-existent. With the exception of the film equipment provided to us by the university, financing of our films falls to us entirely, as students. I was committed to making the best film possible so I gladly spent my own money to make it as successful as possible. I was very fortunate, however, that I had a creative partner, my producer Tori Smith, throughout the process. Having Tori was absolutely crucial to the success of my film. On top of everything she had going on as a student herself, she was right there with me in the trenches. Making sure we could make the best film possible.

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And your film preferences? What do you look at in a movie? Acting, direction, production, cinematography, soundtrack etc...
The films that resonate the most with me are the ones that can tell a good story. I’m of the opinion that a strong script will always outshine lower production values. A good story can still captivate and genuinely move an audience. It can be hard for a good story to shine through however, without the talent of the actors, the director and the crew. The best films are the ones that can tell the best stories possible with the resources that are available to them.

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Your three favorite movies?

Oh man... that can change on any given day! At the moment, I would have to say that Alex Proyas’ The Crow, Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead, and Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds are up there. All three films are so completely different yet each of them has left such an impression on me as a filmmaker.

 

And your directors?

I can’t possibly overstate the influence that Sam Raimi has had on me as a filmmaker. I also tend to lean towards filmmakers who may have dropped out or never even attended film school. Quentin Tarantino and Kevin Smith immediately come to mind. I think that speaks more to their character. They all had this undying grit and determination to make it in Hollywood. They all refused to settle for anything less than becoming a filmmaker. Of course there are so many more “typical” choices out there like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppolla and Christopher Nolan. There are really so many talented directors out there, though, this really is an impossible question!

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Can you recommend us an independent movie that you wouldn't recommend to everyone?
I don’t know if I have some hidden gem of a film that I can recommend. All the indie films I love tend to be pretty well-known, actually. An independent film that always stands out to me, however, is Napoleon Dynamite.

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And the reason for this choice?

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to everyone, because there are just some people out there who want all their films to be so serious. There are those out there who would turn up their noses at a film like that. Not everyone will get it or see its merit as a film. It’s an incredibly charming and unconventional film. You can really see the love and effort that went into making it. The actors execute the dry humor of the script flawlessly and still manage to tell a good, wholesome story. Add to the fact that it was made on such a small budget. The film is a testament to the spirit of independent film.

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And to finish, tell us three movies that you hate but that most people like.

I gotta be honest, I really hated Velvet Buzzsaw. The film seems to think it’s more clever than it really is. Maybe that’s the point of the film though, what do I know, right? I must be in the minority though, seeing as most people I know who have seen it, seemed to like it. I also didn’t care for a more recent film called Run Rabbit Run. That particular film has gotten a lot of praise, but it just didn’t really hold my attention very well. I also wasn’t particularly impressed with the A24 feature, Bodies, Bodies, Bodies. I don’t really know how well that film was received but I didn’t really care for it myself.