Many people enter the film industry through a family member or friend. In your case, how did you enter the film industry? 

I have no relatives or Friends in the movie industry. I just have a tremendous passion for film. I have always been a massive fan of film and the filmmaking process. The global pandemic forced much self-reflection. I decided if I was going to do this, it was now or never. So I went for it.  

 

Why did you decide to make movies? 

I made a short Stephen King adaptation in late December of 2022 into early January of 2023. That was first project. I enjoyed it and it went well, but I knew I could do better. So I shot two feature films in 2023, “Group” and “Immersion”, and wrote some additional screenplays as well. 

 

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

I wanted to write and direct my own film. I had an idea and the script just flowed. I meticulously planned the shots and timing and shot it chronologically. The film takes place in real time. I felt I could make a film that would resonate with audiences and stick with them. I decided to see it through and make the best film I could.  

 

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

The only other project I had done was my Stephen King adaptation of his short story “One For The Road”. I loved making that film, but I knew I could improve. So I pushed myself to create the story I wanted to tell. I believe I achieved that here. 

 

The best and the worst of this project is… 

The best part is the incredible performances and the unique style. The worst part is it was such a joy to work on that I miss the set, the cast and the crew terribly. 

 

If you could go back in time, would you change anything about filming or pre-production? 

In all honesty, I wouldn’t change a thing. Everything that happened made the film what it is and I am very proud of this film and the work everyone did. 

 

What do you expect from festivals for your project? 

Hopefully, we get selected for some wonderful festivals, such as Carpe Diem of course! And really, we hope the film resonates with audiences and that we do the festivals proud. 

 

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

Very little, but so far it has been absolutely wonderful. 

 

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? 

We had some small investors and made up the rest. Xxena N. Rush and I were basically in charge of everything in pre-production. It was very hands-on. But our cast and crew were so wonderful that we were able to get the movie made, and more importantly I got to make the movie I wanted to make. 

 

And your film preferences? What do you look at in a movie? Acting, direction, production, cinematography, soundtrack etc… 

To me, the most important job of a director is to get the best performances from actors. But in all truth, I pay attention to every element of every film I see. So much effort goes into every element of a film that they all deserve attention. 

 

Your three favorite movies? 

The Godfather (I and II) 

Casablanca 

The Exorcist 

 

And your directors? 

HARD question! David Lynch is singularly powerful. Werner Herzog and Agnes Varda can do anything and make it beautiful. Michael Haneke is brilliant and unflinching. Yorgos Lanthimos is unique and singularly artistic. Pedro Almodovar touches on so many important themes in such a brilliant and honest way that each of his films are visual literature. Bergman, Tarkovsky, Hitchcock, the Coen Brothers, Guillermo del Toro, Gaspar Noe, Tarantino, Chantel Ackerman, John Carpenter, Julia Ducournau. There are just so many incredible filmmakers that I stand in awe. 

 

Can you recommend us an independent movie that you wouldn't recommend to everyone? 

That’s tough. A few are “Little Miss Sunshine”, “Y tu mama también” and “Green Room”. I love all three but I know many people have trouble with them.  

 

And the reason for this choice? 

Narrowing one, I would say “Little Miss Sunshine”. It’s got very complicated and difficult subject matters, hard themes and absolutely incredible performances. 

 

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

Oh no! This may come back to haunt me. I really do not care for Paul Haggis’ “Crash”. I do not like “The Notebook” and I am really not a fan of “Love Actually”.