Joey Medina | Filmmaker Interview
An Interview With Joey Medina:
A Profound Storyteller
Joey Medina born and raised in The Bronx, New York was distain to become a Writer, Producer & Director. In third grade his School Principle placed Joey in a creative writing class after reading Joey’s version of “Goldie Locks and the Three Bears” with an urban theme.
Then in fifth grade, after watching a three-minute super 8 film made by a teacher and his class, Joey got the urge to make his own film.
And in seventh grade, Joey purchased a super 8 film camera, projector and screen from his woodshop teacher for $50.00. All the equipment was stamped “Property of the Board of Education.”
After buying the stolen film equipment, Joey casted family members and directed his first film, a remake of “King Kong.” Joey bought a gorilla mask and rubber ape hands and borrowed his mother’s fake fur coat to complete the costume. He used miniature soldiers and army vehicles including his sister’s dollhouse to build the set in his basement. With everything in place Joey completed his 3 minute version of “King Kong.”After graduating High School…
Joey enrolled into the Center for Media Arts in New York City to study Television Production. There he used his creativity while learning the skills he would later use.
In 2003, Joey was hired to be a segment producer for “Extreme Gong,” which aired on the Game Show Network.
In 2004, Joey Medina, wrote, produced and directed his first feature film on 16mm, called El Matador for $15,000. The film went on to win three awards at the “Los Angeles Chicano Film Festival,” including “Best Film,” Best Director” and “Best Actor.” The film was then picked up and distributed by Maverick Entertainment.
In 2005 Joey wrote, produced, directed and hosted Si TV’s first scripted television show, “Circumsized Cinema,” Executive produced by award-winning film producer, Moctesuma Esparza (“Selena”). The show re-edited campy Mexican movies into 30-minute “mini-movies” with totally new, scripted English audio tracks for a hilarious and utterly original half-hour television show. In addition, Joey was one of the hosts and producers of “Loco Comedy Jam,” a stand-up comedy show featuring some of the best Latino comedians in the country on Mun2 Television.Then…
In 2006 Joey created and produced and hosted, “Latin Palooza,” a comedy special shot live in front of 1,300 people. The DVD was picked up and distributed by Image Entertainment.
Since then Joey has produced and directed five music videos for pop , rap and rock artists.
In 2009, Joey produced and directed another comedy special titled, “Cholo Comedy Slam,” this time adding a musical acts along with stand-up comedians. The event was shot in Los Angeles in front of 2000 people and was picked up and distributed by Latin Fusion Entertainment.
Joey also wrote, produced and directed his first short horror film, MISSING. As a professional comedian most of his filmmaking projects were comedies, so he wanted to produce a horror film that was as dark and disturbing as possible. He set out to make a film that would be hard to watch for the viewer. He wanted the viewer to experience what the victims in the film were going through.
Having almost zero budget, he built many props himself and designed many of the makeup effects as well. Joey spent about six weeks preparing for the shoot, including writing and casting. The shoot itself took three days with a partial crew for only half the time.
The film went on to win Best Director and Best screenplay in the 2015 International Horror Realm Film Festival and the Award of Excellence in the 2015 Ricon International Film Festival in Puerto Rico along with an Award of Merit in the 2015 Indie Fest Film Awards.
Joey Medina also wrote, produce, directed, edited as well as stared in his own single camera style sitcom called “Man of a Funny Age.”
Most recently Joey just wrote, produced and directed a powerful short film called, “The Lesson.’ Jon Kelly from “Access Hollywood” calls the film “Stone Cold Powerful.”
Joey is currently a content producer on a syndicated game show called, “Funny You Should Ask.” He continues to expand his knowledge and passion for filmmaking and production.
Where are you currently located?
Los Angeles
What is a quote that summarizes everything you’re about as a filmmaker?
Filmmaking is a battle field.
What inspired you to start creating films?
I watched a super 8 silent film my 5th grade teacher made and all I could think about was I wanted to do that too.
Who most inspires/influences your style and specific execution currently and why?
Hard to answer because I get inspired by different filmmakers for different reasons.
What is your favorite film of all time?
Rocky
As a creator, what do you find to be the thing that most drives you to succeed? We like to use this portion for others to learn from you!
Creating a story and images that make individuals “feel” something is what drives me.
What is your overall dream in life?
To be happy. And win an Oscar
The Film Fest Network Team also had the pleasure of reviewing your wonderful short film: Beautiful Violence
What is your role in the film?
Writer, Producer, Director
What is the film’s genre?
Drama
What is the film’s logline?
Life isn’t always Black & White
What inspired the way that you went about executing this project?
Covid. I had to scrap a larger project because of quarantine, and decided to produce a project with only two characters and one location.
What was the most difficult part in the process of creating this film? How did you overcome it?
Auditioning during quarantine was difficult and finding the right location.
What was the most fun part of this entire production?
Watching how uncomfortable the white actors were using the “N” word.
What is the single greatest lesson you learned along the creation of this particular project?
Lighting two different actors with opposite complexions in the same scene
Is there anything else you would like us to know? Or any final thoughts / things you’d like to share with our readers?
I’m a professional comedian and former professional boxer
Thank you so much for being a part of The Film Festival Network Community, Joey! We can’t wait to see what you do next.
Keep up with Joey Medina and all his incredible work to come!
David Wenzel - Filmmaker Interview
An Interview With David Wenzel:
The Multi-Talented Actor & Producer
ACTOR/PRODUCER/DIRECTOR, DAVID WENZEL:
As an actor, Mr. Wenzel has appeared in several Theatre productions Off-Broadway in NYC, as well as Film, TV, and daytime serials including Ray Donavan, Rescue Me, One Life To Live, All My Children, Guiding Light, Another World, Evil Lives Here, Who Killed Jane Doe, Wild Crime premiering on ABC Fall 2021, OLD DOGS, The Hustler.David Wenzel is also an Award Winning Producer/Director for such films as Hamlet/Horatio, Echelon 8, Preying For Mercy, The Hostage!
David has work with such notables as Brad Pitt, Leonardo Dicaprio, Anthony Hopkins Fisher Stevens, Scott Rudin, Jace Alexander, and the great Oscar Winning Cinematographer Emmanuel “Chivo” Lubezki & Oscar Winner Gordan Willis.
Where are you currently located?
NYC
Who most inspires/influences you currently and why?
DAVID VANDO
Playwright, lyricist, screenwriter, translater/adapter, producer, acting coach.
Scholarship student at Columbia University, BS Comparative Literature, MFA
Playwriting. Folger Library Fellowship in Shakespearean Studies recipient, Forest
Robert’s International Playwriting Prize winner, whose theatre works have been
performed in Europe as well as America. Published works include, THE MASK AND THE
MIRROR, an anthology of three plays, and SHAKESPEARE FOR THE 21st CENTURY
now in its third edition.
David Vando has been in the performing arts all his life. While still a scholarship student
at Columbia University in playwriting he assisted director Jack Gelber in the Arnold
Wesker play THE KITCHEN off-Broadway and INDIANS by Arthur Kopit with the Royal
Shakespeare Company in London. After graduating from Columbia, David Vando did an
English adaptation of THE THREEPENNY OPERA for the Lake George Opera Company,
and the book and lyrics for a musical adaptation of LOVE’S LABOR’S LOST for the
Folger Theatre Group in Washington DC with music by Brian Williams, and BUGLES AT
DAWN, a musical play based on the RED BADGE OF COURAGE, at the ATC Chernuchin
Theatre in New York with music by Mark Barkan. Vando did an English adaptation of
THE THREEPENNY OPERA for the Lake George Opera Company and Vando’s comic
play about the last years of Moliere’s life, THE KING’S CLOWN, won an international
playwriting prize sponsored by Northern Michigan University. It was performed at the
University and subsequent productions followed in Chicago and London. Mr. Vando’s play
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LEONARDO DA VINCI was translated into German
and performed by the National Theatre of Weimar. His play EROICA about Beethoven
overcoming his deafness to complete the 9th Symphony was performed in London at the
Tabernacle Theatre
On the directing side, Mr. Vando worked as an assistant director with Patrick Bakman
(TOSCA, Lake George Opera, and THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE at the New York City
Opera) and with Choreographer Wayne Eagling on the ballet FRANKENSTEIN for
London’s Royal Ballet, Milan’s La Scala Ballet and Amsterdam’s Royal Ballet as well as
What is a quote that summarizes everything you’re about as a filmmaker?
Having been an Actor for several years and having the opportunities to work with the likes of Gordan Willis, Emmanuel lubezki, The Cohen Brothers and Brad Pitt. These people showed me the craft of filmmaking which I fell in love with!
What inspired you to start creating films?
As an Actor you are often not in control of casting. As a filmmaker I have the ability to create my own clear path.
Who most inspires/influences your style and specific execution currently and why?
I love all genre of film, but one the inspires me the most is probably Franco Zeffirelli! Franco Zeffirelli, who described his style as “lavish in scale and unashamedly theatrical”, was one of the most influential, flamboyant and controversial designer-directors of the 20th century
What is your favorite film of all time?
In the Name of the Father
As a creator, what do you find to be the thing that most drives you to succeed? We like to use this portion for others to learn from you!
Fear and Love!
What is your overall dream in life?
To continue making independent film that speaks to wide range of people!
The Film Fest Network Team also had the pleasure of reviewing your wonderful feature film: Hamlet/Horatio
What is your role in the film?
Producer & Actor
Who is the director & who is the writer?
Director Paul Warner – Writer David Vando
What is the film’s genre?
Drama
What is the film’s logline?
“The power of love to transcend corruption and evil.”
Told from the point of view of Horatio, the action transpires on an empty sound stage with
the death of Hamlet. In his last moment of awareness in purgatory, Hamlet’s life flashes
before him as a film within a film within a film as Horatio turns director in order to fulfill
his promise to Hamlet to tell his tragic story to the unknowing world.
What inspired the way that you went about executing this project?
This a a project that has been in the making for 20 years, David Wenzel played Hamlet off Broadway in NYC and worked with writer David Vando to create a unique interpretation of Hamlet told for Hortio’ eyes!
It started in 2000 when I was cast to play the role of Hamlet off-Broadway at The Waterloo Bridge Theatre (which is no longer in existence.) It was a short six performance run and I felt I could have explored more with the role. From there, I contacted my colleague David Vando and we started working on a draft with the focus being on the friendship of Hamlet and Horatio. I always felt that Hamlet would have ended up going mad like Ophelia if he did not have Horatio as a springboard for his concerns. David and I ended up doing eight different productions with different interpretations. We felt that it had ran its course on the stage and was time to develop a film based on the experimental process of the stage performances that were well received onstage.
What was the most difficult part in the process of creating this film? How did you overcome it?
Financing and putting all the Actors and Crew Together, and to make sure we had the right people that understood the vision!
What was the most fun part of this entire production?
Watching the filming and Actors coming to life!
What is the single greatest lesson you learned along the creation of this particular project?
Team work and love makes the dream work!
Check out the film’s beautiful poster below!
Is there anything else you would like us to know? Or any final thoughts / things you’d like to share with our readers?
Hamlet/Horatio is a 20-year collaboration of film professionals celebrating “the power of love to transcend corruption and evil.” Can you tell us more about the process behind making this film?
The pictures I sent The one in the Suit and Leather jacket is me David Wenzel, The writer and also Executive Producer is the older Man David Vando, The Director Paul Warner in the one with blonde hair.
It started in 2000 when I was cast to play the role of Hamlet off-Broadway at The Waterloo Bridge Theatre (which is no longer in existence.) It was a short six performance run and I felt I could have explored more with the role. From there, I contacted my colleague David Vando and we started working on a draft with the focus being on the friendship of Hamlet and Horatio. I always felt that Hamlet would have ended up going mad like Ophelia if he did not have Horatio as a springboard for his concerns. David Vando and I ended up doing eight different productions with different interpretations. We felt that it had ran its course on the stage and was time to develop a film based on the experimental process of the stage performances that were well received onstage
Thank you so much for being a part of The Film Festival Network Community, David! We can’t wait to see what you do next.
Keep up with David Wenzel and all his incredible work to come!
Marcellus Cox - Filmmaker Interview
An Interview With Marcellus Cox:
A Director/Writer With a Vision For Depth
Hello Marcellus! Welcome! Could you tell us a bit about yourself? Give us a brief introduction!Who most inspires/influences you currently and why?
Marcellus Cox is an Award Winning Writer/Director hailing from Los Angeles, California. Marcellus Cox has always had a passion for movies and filmmaking. As a True Auteur His style of cinematic storytelling embossed with dark and edgy themes that is engaging and enlightening, delivering his audience to a place of understanding and compassion for social issues and objectivity, as he Pushes the boundaries of controversial storytelling, touching on subjects such as Race, Religion, Social & Political issues. Marcellus Cox work has screened in over 200 International Film Festivals, Won over 150 International Film Awards and has screened Nationwide on CBS, FOX, ABC, SHORTS TV, Revolt TV, Crime & Investigation & PBS.
Where are you located currently?
Los Angeles, California
What is a quote that summarizes everything you’re about as a filmmaker?
I’m always pursuing the next dream, hunting for the next truth.
– Stanley Kramer
What inspired you to start creating films?
When I was around 9 Years Old and the first time I saw Who Framed Roger Rabbit. I was absolutely blown away but the brilliant Live Action/Animation combination, the pure natural storytelling within a Film Noir was everything for me and still is till this day.
This is the only profession where we can express what’s on our minds and in our hearts visually in the most artistic manner and I’ve been hooked ever sense.
Who most inspires/influences your style and specific execution currently and why?
There are so many Filmmakers that have shaped and influenced my style of storytelling and filmmaking. But if I have time narrow them down… Robert Altman, Ingmar Bergman, Stanley Kramer. Their Filmmaking style was my muse because their work always presents the truth in a powerful and realistic manner, there work can be gritty yet beautiful at the same time. And the way that they were able to get the absolute best outta their talent was well displayed on the screen.
What is your favorite film of all time?
I literally have about 100 movies to place here but if I have to pick one that’s nearest and dearest to my heart, it’s Taxi Driver.
As a creator, what do you find to be the thing that most drives you to succeed? We like to use this portion for others to learn from you!
The Love of my craft and Movies. I love making films learning new things every single day that I know I can improve on and even more I Love watching Movies, studying from the greats to see what message or messages they were trying to present to the world and how they went about the process of this profession. That’s what drives me the most and always will. I’ll never be caught up with the Lure of wanting to be rich and famous, as long as I can be behind the camera bring real stories to life that matters and getting better at my craft in the process that’s all that I want and need.
What is your overall dream in life?
Just to be a Good Filmmaker. Short, Sweet, maybe a little corny to most lol I don’t care nor mind. I just want to be someone I hope folks would respect and appreciate the work I release onto the world. Most important remain true to myself at all times with my artistic visions and never let the power of a dollar Bill influence any of my decisions. I just hope and pray I’ll be a good filmmaker.
We also had the absolute pleasure of reviewing Marcellus’s short film: Mickey Hardaway. Click below to go check that out!
What is your role(s) in the film?
Writer/Director/Producer
What is the film’s genre?
Drama, Thriller
What is the film’s logline?
A Young Sketch Artist who visits a well renowned psychiatrist as his life begins sprawling out of control after years of Physical and Verbal Abuse has taken a toll on him.
What inspired the way that you went about executing this project?
I wanted to tell a truthful story about Dreamers. The ones who long for something more in this world then just trying to fill in the shoes of another 9-5 individual. Someone who knows they have more to offer with their gifts and the folks who don’t see things there way and the pursuits those folks will go through to crush there spirits and the consequences that affects everyone involved when a dream isn’t allow the opportunity to blossom.
What was the most difficult part in the process of creating this film? How did you overcome it?
Well in early 2020 we had the funding and was going to get ready to begin filming but Covid came and the production company backed out on the film so that left me and producing partner Armando Townsend wondering what the next move would be. So we gathered all the money we had and shot the concept. That proved to be a huge challenge as well because SAG-AFTRA didn’t have any set rules at the time so we had to make our own set to make sure production went well. Plus we were in the heart of the Black Lives Matters protest in LA, we could literally here folks marching in the background, fighting for their rights just to be treated as decent citizens in a land that’s proven they don’t care about them. And we had several actors quit the shoot over Covid right as we were about to start shooting. We had all of that going on and yet someway, somehow we got it done.
What was the most fun part of this entire production?
Working with the cast & crew. This by far as a Filmmaker was the most fun shoot I’ve ever been apart of. We had several actors leave the film unfortunately but when opportunity comes knocking someone takes advantage of it and that’s what happen. Working with Rashad Hunter, Stephen Cofield Jr, David Chattam, Charlz Williams, Deangelo Davis was without question the highest honor for me. Having the chance to put this together with Jamil Gooding was unbelievable. And of course just watching what the film has done since the day we’ve released it has truly been amazingly.
What is the single greatest lesson you learned along the creation of this particular project?
Don’t ever be afraid to tell the truth especially in your work. It’s the single most important weapon we have as artist to showcase our feelings of the world and to show a reflection to society when they need it the most like now.
Take a look at the film’s official poster below ↓
Is there anything else you would like us to know? Or any final thoughts / things you’d like to share with our readers?
I’m gearing up to make my very Feature Debut which will be the Feature Version of Mickey Hardaway. Right now 50% of the budget has been raised but we need help raising the other half. So I ask everyone to check out our indiegogo campaign, if you can please donate doesn’t matter the amount and share this with friends and family as much ass humanly possible.
Thank you so much for being a part of The Film Festival Network Community, Marcellus! We can’t wait to see what you do next.
Keep up with Marcellus and all his incredible work to come!
Christopher Hall | Filmmaker Interview
An Interview With Christopher Hall:
The Brilliant Comedic Director
Hello Christopher! Welcome! Could you tell us a bit about yourself? Give us a brief biography on Christopher Hall!
Christopher Hall is an award-winning director and photographer working with both major brands and unique people across the world to tell their stories and use video as a tool to grow their business.
In his corporate work, he has worked for major brands like AT&T, Amazon, Facebook, Figs, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, networks like HBO, Bravo, Fox, YouTube Red, Spike TV and VH1, and movie studios such as Warner Brothers, Universal, and Paramount. He was a producer on the last two seasons of the show TOP CHEF for Bravo TV, creating dozens of interviews and thousands of social assets to share with their active and growing audience. He also directed over 25 different branded spots for Fullscreen’s AT&T-backed series SUMMER BREAK, which ran five seasons and won the Digiday Video Ad of the Year in 2016.
In his creative work, he co-created and directed three seasons of the horror webseries, FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, (10+ million views) which was one of the most successful shows in the first years of YouTube Red. In 2020 he directed and produced a comedy short film, BRYERS CUCUMBER TOSTINOS, starring Patrick Tamisiea and Kevin Pollak that is currently on a tour of film festivals across the world, garnering multiple awards and prizes. His original pilot scripts have been optioned by LL Cool J and Mike Karz.
After getting a degree in theater at Kenyon College, OH, Chris started out getting coffees on set of THE SOPRANOS in his first real job out of college, and then went on to a variety of unique posts in the traditional features and tv world. He spent two years at Tippett Studio in Berkeley, CA learning VFX on major movies like MATRIX: REVOLUTIONS and CONSTANTINE. He was assistant to director Breck Eisner (THE CRAZIES), helping develop projects for all the major networks and studios. And then went on to become an in-house director/shooter/editor on Executive Producer Billy Parks’ team at Fullscreen, a major digital production company.
Chris lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Davida, and their two young children, Roxanne and Quincy.
Where are you based out of, Christopher?
West LA, California.
What is a quote that summarizes everything you’re about as a filmmaker?
The screenwriter William Goldman famously wrote “Nobody knows anything” in his book on screenwriting — both as a warning to those feeling too confident after a project lands as well as those feeling insecure or nervous when a project doesn’t land. It’s a reminder I’ve passed on to others as many times as I’ve tried to hold it myself. When I came out of college full of confidence and landed in an industry that had no space for another wanna-be filmmaker, I had to keep going and make space for myself. When I changed cities a few times, or changed sections of the industry — from production to visual effects to development to reality — I had to keep making space for myself, telling myself that I could learn this, I could get better at that, I would love to meet more people like that. And I’m still trying to learn new skills, still trying to meet new people, read new books, make new movies. Nobody has a formula to success in this business — you just have to stick at it long enough and at some point you’ll realize that all the wandering you’ve been doing has actually become a path of its own.
What inspired you to start creating films?
I was an early movie-lover as a kid and loved telling my friends that I saw E.T. in the theater eight times the summer it came out. That kind of movie-going feels like a lifetime ago, and I was just a kid then. But the magic of the movies never left me. In high school, I took a “cinema studies” elective where we watched all of Kubrick’s films, and at that moment I knew I wanted to be a director. In college I studied theater and realized that I loved working with actors and helping their process. This is a job that people take because it’s about more than just making money and having a pension — it’s a calling that people feel in their bones from an early age.
Who most inspires/influences your style and specific execution currently and why?
I’ve always been a big Soderberg fan and love the way his career spanned genres and still always felt crafted, precise, and provocative. I also love old movies and anytime a Billy Wilder movie comes on I literally can’t turn it off — SOME LIKE IT HOT is 60 years old but still feels totally hilarious and worth rewatching over and over. More on the edgy side, I personally love David Cronenberg’s movies and love the way they make people squirm. There’s something so satisfying about getting a physical reaction out of your audience and I think all of those filmmakers make movies that really provoke strong emotions and responses from viewers.
What is your favorite film of all time?
I used to say CHINATOWN but probably it’s a tie with THE APARTMENT.
As a creator, what do you find to be the thing that most drives you to succeed? We like to use this portion for others to learn from you!
What drives me? I love stories. I’m addicted to them. As a kid I was a voracious reader and it’s a habit I’ve never been able to quit. I love a movie that makes me cry, or laugh, or get angry — or all of the above. And storytelling is hard. Being good at it is damn near impossible. It’s like being a samurai — you could dedicate your life to it and never attain perfection. I’m certainly no story samurai, but I’m trying.
What is your overall dream in life?
I love directing a set and I’ve been lucky enough to do it a few times. Taking a script and working with actors to turn it into a performance through rehearsals, conversations about what are the strongest choices to make — that process is pure adrenaline and when it’s over I crash and have to sleep for a few days. But while it’s happening, it’s bliss. I just want more of that bliss in my life.
Our review team also had the honor of reviewing one of Christopher’s most recent pieces: The brilliant, absurdist comedy Bryers Cucumber Tostinos.
What are your roles in the film?
Director and Producer
Who wrote this film?
It was written by Patrick Tamisiea and Nicholas Leeds.
What is the logline for Bryers Cucumber Tostino’s?
The story of a man-boy living in the corner market, still waiting for his mother to come pick him up.
What inspired the way that you went about executing this project?
This project was all about finding the things that inspired me to get into this business in the first place. Working in the world of “branded content” you can forget the glory of storytelling and the fun that it instills on everyone on set — like when you’re having a party at your parents house when they’re out of town. I got a bunch of people that I loved working with and said “let’s make this damn movie” and it just turned into one of the best projects I’ve ever been a part of. The movie’s been to over 40 festivals now — although thanks to COVID it felt a little weird having all those reactions happen remotely.
What was the most difficult part in the process of creating this film? How did you overcome it?
There really wasn’t a lot of difficulty in creating the film. We had a total blast writing it, casting it, shooting it and editing it. The challenge is when we look around at each other and say “are we really doing this?” and we tell each other, “hell yeah.” Believe you’re going to do it and at some point you’ll just find yourself doing it.
What was the most fun part of this entire production?
Definitely the shoot was a blast. We had prepared so much to be ready for it and gotten a lot of people on board to make it happen so by the time we were shooting it felt like a big group of friends. Somebody would come to set and we’d all say hi like an old friend who stopped by to your party. My kids came and got to see me directing on set. It felt like a dream.
What is the single greatest lesson you learned along the creation of this particular project?
The greatest lesson of this project was trust your friends, trust your instincts. I put a lot of trust into the people around me and I never once felt like they let me down. This business is full of disappointments and I’ve had my share. But this project just never stopped moving forward and I owe all of that success to the people who helped me make it.
Is there anything else you would like us to know? Or any final thoughts / things you’d like to share with our readers?
I’m sure I’ll think of something as soon as I hit the submit button but for now I’m good.
Thank you so much for being a part of The Film Festival Network Community, Christopher! We can’t wait to see what you do next.
Keep up with this filmmaker and all their incredible work to come!
Mikhail Gershteyn | Filmmaker Interview
An Interview With Mikhail Gershteyn:
The Visionary Documentary Filmmaker
Mikhail Gershteyn (54), has been working in the movies and television production for over 25 years. He started his work, and later, his own film production company in the Ukraine, producing 2 movies and 2 historical documentaries. Between the years 1995and 1998, before immigrating to the United States, he had worked as an advertising manager, and television director and producer. He had produced about 100 commercials and directed and produced 3 weekly TV shows (musical, historical and children). Since October 1999, he has been working as an Operations Technician and later External Client Services Manager at WXXI – TV, Public Television in Rochester, NY. In July 2001, he began writing, producing, directing and editing a history segments, “Hotline History” for the local educational program, “Homework Hotline.” Mikhail also had done other productions for that show which aired across the New York State.
As an Independent Producer, Mikhail has been working on producing documentary film about Holocaust Survivors from the former Soviet Union and worked closely with late Oxford’s professor Sir Martin Gilbert.
In 2016, together with his co-producer and author Marvin Stepherson, Mikhail produced a documentary “Too Blue to be Black, Too Black to be Blue”
In 2018 film received an award of recognition from IMPACTDoc online film festival.
Since then, film received multiple Festival Awards, including The Best Film Award at Australian Film Festival in 2021.
In 2018 Mikhail together with producer Joseph Hill finished a documentary “Black Border Warriors: Seminole Negro Scouts”,In 2018 received the best documentary film award at Berlin’s Black Cinema International film festival. In 2019 film was presented during Pan African International Film Festival in Cannes, France. Mikhail has a Master degree in World History from Odessa State University in Odessa, Ukraine, and is a graduated from SUNY College at Brockport, NY with a Bachelor degree in Communication and Broadcasting.
Where are you based out of?
Rochester, NY
What is a quote that summarizes everything you’re about as a filmmaker?
Not sure, but perhaps: “If you think, you CANNOT, – YOU cannot, If you think YOU CAN, – YOU CAN!”
What inspired you to start creating films?
To be able to tell the stories that never been told before, to live with my heroes through their eyes and stories.
To live through the history and learn from it.
Who most inspires/influences your style and specific execution currently and why?
Ken Burns, perhaps.
He mastered the story telling process with use of the archival materials, history and people who lived through that historical periods.
Wish, one day I could work with him…
What is your favorite film of all time?
The Godfather
As a creator, what do you find to be the thing that most drives you to succeed? We like to use this portion for others to learn from you!
For an independent filmmaker without stable financial support for my projects, the most important I think is to never give-up and continue research, learn to multitask, be creative (there are other ways to tell the story even without supper expensive special effects or graphics) in the situations when you need to save money and move forward, always move forward with your project.
Depend and believe in your family and friends support, don’t be shy to ask for help!
What is your overall dream in life?
To be able to do what I love most after my family and working on Television, to be able to make films historical and biography based and perhaps one day to be able to work together with such a stars as Tom Hanks, Ken Burns, De Niro or Al Pacino, Meryl Streep or someone from the younger generation actors on one of my docudrama series project.
We also had the absolute pleasure of getting a chance to review your new project: “Unknown Heroes: Soviet Jews and The Holocaust”
If you missed that, CLICK HERE to give that a read now!
What is your role in the film?
Producer and Director
What is the film’s genre?
Documentary
Could you describe a bit on what the film is about?
Throughout many years of the Holocaust studies and covering horrific events during that period, the stories of the Jews from the former Soviet Union hadn’t been covered in such a details before and the producers are planning to work on bringing their stories and history to an international viewer.
Who were the Jews of the Soviet Union? How did they live and how had they treated in their own country before, during and after war? What happened to those few, who survived Nazi’s concentration and death camps after they came back home? What is the meaning of the Holocaust for survivors from the former Soviet Union and their families?
“Christ Killers,” or “Dirty Jews” we are still the people, who live in the different countries around the World and do our work as many people around us. In our story we will tell you about people of different professions with their different paths to survive; some of the stories started long before war…
What inspired the way that you went about executing this project?
My name is Mikhail A. Gershteyn and I am a second generation Holocaust survivor. I was born a Jew in 1967 in the Soviet Union into the family of military officer. I can tell you that antisemitism in the Soviet Union didn’t begin or end with the Nazis. Before the invasion, local gangs of nationalists in Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine hunted down Jews and activists, killing or burning them and their families alive.
After I immigrated to the United States, I met an old Jewish woman from Ukraine and listened to her incredible story. Bella was almost 16, when the war started. She was in a ghetto, and the Nazis placed her and thousands of Jewish men, women and children like her in the labor camp. She ran away, but was caught by local nationalists and brought back to the camp. So she ran away again…and again. Each time she was caught and sent back. During our meeting, Bella never smiled. She passed away in 2003 never willing to tell reveal her story on camera. But I knew that there were countless other stories that had to be told.
This documentary is a journey to better understand my own past and identity, uncovering along the way testimonials of the Russian Jewish experience in World War II and beyond. We will hear previously untold stories about innocent Jewish men, women and children brutally murdered by Nazis and their followers during the War or persecuted by their own government after the war. In their stories, survivors will share what drove them and many others to leave everything behind, and to immigrate in their senior years to another country with different cultural traditions.
What was the most difficult part in the process of creating this film? How did you overcome it?
Financing is the most difficult part and still is.
Film is still in the production and post-production faze.
What was the most fun part of this entire production?
Holocaust stories not really bringing much of the fun in the production process.
What is the single greatest lesson you learned along the creation of this particular project?
I’ve finished 2 documentary films and am working on 2 more now.
The most important lesson to me is always depend on yourself and those who are close to you.
Check out the film’s poster below!
To all of our readers out there right now: you must go watch the film’s trailer now!
Thank you so much for being a part of The Film Festival Network Community, Mikhail! We can’t wait to see what you do next.
Keep up with Mikhail and all his incredible work to come!
Jinghan Zhang | Filmmaker Interview
An Interview With Jinghan Zhang:
The Young, Passionate Animator
Hi Jinghan! Welcome! Could you tell us a bit about yourself? Give us a brief introduction!
I am an animator, most my previous work are all animation work.
Here’s a list of some of Jinghan Zhang’s more recent work!
“Elixir” – 2019
“Liberation” – 2016
“Eternity” – 2016
Where are you currently based out of?
New Jersey
Let’s take a look at some of your incredible accomplishments over the years. Could you please list some for us?
Vegas Movie Awards – 2019 Best Animation Award Winner
South Film and Arts Academy Festival – 2019 Best Animation Short film Award Winner
Spotlight Short Film Awards – 2019 Best Animated Shorts Award Winner
Rome Independent Prisma Awards – 2019 Best Animation Award Winner
USA Film Festival – 2019 Finalist
Animation Day in Cannes – 2019 Semi-Finalist
Los Angeles CineFest – 2016 Semi-Finalist
Hollywood Screenings Film Festival – 2016 Semi-Finalist
CaribbeanLens International Film Festival – 2019 Official-Selection
Florida Animation Festival – 2019 Official-Selection
Georgia Shorts Film Festival – 2019 Official-Selection
Sydney World Film Festival – 2016 Official-Selection
Anim!Arte – International Student Animation Festival of Brazil – 2017 Official-Selection
What is a quote that summarizes everything you’re about as a filmmaker?
“WE DON’T MAKE MOVIES TO MAKE MORE MONEY. WE MAKE MONEY TO MAKE MORE MOVIES.”
– Walt Disney
What inspired you to start creating films?
My undergraduate college is Beijing Film Academy, although my major was computer animation, but we were asked for take mandatory film classes, from then I interested in film and tried to use the knowledge that I learned from film classes in my animation work.
Who most inspires/influences you currently and why?
Jan Svankmajer. I learned about his films in college. In particular, I like his works Darkness Light Darkness and Death of Stalinism in Bohemia (1990). Both have taught me that animations do not need to be funny, humorous, philosophical or political. They can also be depressing and incite humans to reflect upon themselves and the sins, which flow in their blood. This is not specifically about religious, but is an elemental aspect of what makes for “good people.”
Georges Schiwzgebel, another experimental animator, has also helped shape my sense of storytelling. His 2D animations use language in a special way to present stories.
What is your favorite film of all time?
Corpse Bride
What is your favorite film genre and why?
I like all genres of movies/animations, but adventure movies are more interesting, because they need more creative imaginations on visual and story, they are the key elements leading audiences to watch with curiosities
As a creator, what do you find to be the thing that most drives you?
I want to create the Emotional resonance with my audiences based on my work.
What is your absolute dream in life?
My animation work will be approbate by most people
What has been the most fun thing you’ve done in your career so far?
Writing script with team is very interesting, in the process of brainstorming we had lots of fun and lots of brilliant ideas from them.
Who is one person that you hope to work with and why?
Tim Burton, I love all of his work, especially Corpse Bride. I like his dark style which is very unique in the film/animation industry.
Is there anyone in particular that you’d like to thank and/or shout-out in this interview?
I appreciate my team for our upcoming animation project “Acheron River”, my team member has helped me a lot and they are very creative.
Thank you so much for being a part of The Film Festival Network Community, Jinghan! We can’t wait to see what you do next.
Keep up with Jinghan and all her incredible work to come!
Stephen Kayfish | Filmmaker Interview
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE BRILLIANTLY-CREATIVE: STEPHEN KAYFISH
Hi Stephen! Welcome! Could you tell us a bit about yourself? Give us a brief introduction!
I’ve been fascinated with movies all my life. Given my location and circumstances, I decided that the best approach would be to try and write my way into the film business. I’m an accountant full time, but I’ve been screenwriting part time for nearly 15 years. Currently I have 10 completed feature scripts and 5 short scripts.
Where are you located?
Edmonton, Canada
What is a quote that summarizes everything you’re about as a filmmaker?
“Some people go to the movies to be reminded that everything’s okay. I don’t make those types of movies” – David Fincher
What inspired you to start creating films?
As John Landis once said, “I’m inspired by everything.” I have 250 DVD’s at home in various genres. Some are old movies I grew up with and some are movies from recent years. Each movie has a scene or scenes that truly resonated with me. Whenever I write, I always keep the mood or feeling of these scenes in my mind.
Who most inspires/influences you currently and why?
There are so many filmmakers, John Carpenter, Wes Craven, Tobe Hooper, David Fincher, Ari Aster, Jordan Peele to name a few, yes so many and some haven’t even been produced yet which amazes and discourages me.
What is your favorite film of all time?
Lately – John Carpenter’s “The Thing” & Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws”
What is your favorite film genre and why?
Horror/Thriller/Suspense – The balls and the intensity
As a creator, what do you find to be the thing that most drives you?
The desire to succeed.
What is your absolute dream in life?
To write full time.
What work do you take the most pride in at this point in your career?
The fact that I was able to win some awards outside of my country. It feels great to be acknowledged.
What has been the most challenging project you’ve been a part of?
Every writing project carries its share of challenges, some flow better than others but they all have challenges whether it be refining characters, story structure, or the rewriting process.
What was the most valuable single lesson you learned in completing that project?
Try not to submit any project until you have at least done some solid rewrites or editing. (I’m still learning this lesson)
What has been the most fun thing you’ve done in your career so far?
Attend film festivals and meet some truly talented people.
Who is one person that you hope to work with and why?
Many of them have sadly passed away, but there are still so many creative geniuses working today that it’s hard to name just one.
Is there anyone in particular that you’d like to thank and/or shout-out in this interview?
LAIHFF and all of the other film festivals who have selected or honored my work. My family for understanding the sacrifice and time required to be a writer.
Thank you so much for being a part of The Film Festival Network Community, Stephen! We can’t wait to see what you do next.
Keep Up With Stephen Kayfish & All His Incredible Work To Come!
An Interview With Chris K. Daniels
An Interview With Chris K. Daniels – The Non-Stop, Visionary Filmmaker
Hi Chris K. Daniels! Tell us about yourself! Give us a brief introduction
Hi! Thanks for having me. A “brief introduction” is tough because I talk too much and am easily distracted. Well, I’m Chris K. Daniels. I’m a filmmaker, director, writer, comedian… entrepreneur? I mean, this all sounds pretentious. I’m an “entertainer.” I think that’s a modern-day way of saying I make content that is sometimes movies and sometimes not.
Where are you located?
Right now, I’m located in Boston, Massachusetts. But within the next few months, I’ll be heading out to Los Angeles, California.
What is a quote that summarizes everything you’re about as a filmmaker?
When you’re asked if you can do a job, tell ’em,’ “Certainly I can!” Then get busy and find out how to do it.”
-Theodore Roosevelt
What inspired you to start creating films?
I like to say “boredom and an itch of emptiness.” Really, I just love entertaining people. First, kids in a classroom, at recess, on the bus. Then eventually, on YouTube. When I discovered the world of online video-potential in seventh grade, everything changed immediately. I made some trash-quality skits and sketches all across middle school and eventually evolved into the more narrative, short film world in high school. It didn’t really matter what the genre, style, or even “medium” of video. The thing that was so fun was trying to come up with ideas, stories, movies, etc. that would have the power to get a stranger to want to watch the whole thing. I mean, it was probably some sort of dark, twisted need for attention. But it released in the form of “filmmaking.”
Who most inspires/influences you currently and why?
I mean, filmmaker influences change for me at least once a week. Every time I see a good movie or show or video or online whatever, I’m immediately inspired and envious of that person’s work. But as far as overall, continuous influences for me: Conan O’Brien and Jordan Peele. Conan’s sense for comedy, creativity, work-ethic and his ability to turn anything into gold is awe-inspiring. And Jordan’s range of work, from comedy to horror, and from performing to directing is constantly inspiring to see.
What is your favorite film of all time?
This question is not easy. Favorite anything is the worst. Your question is the worst. Thanks for asking it though! Right now, my favorite movie is probably The Truman Show.
What is your favorite film genre and why?
Again, this is something that is constantly changing for me. I may be a bit too inconsistent, don’t you think? I think thrillers/horrors and comedies are my favorite. Both are so similar, while also being so incredibly different. They both have so much to do with timing and playing with audience expectation, that it interests me on so many levels. I’m interested in exploring both genres over my career, but I know comedies are a hard sell without big name recognition, unfortunately.
As a creator, what do you find to be the thing that most drives you?
These days, I just want it to be worth it. I love making things, but it really only hits me if someone else is enjoying it. Creative work can be so difficult and time-consuming (whine, whine, whine..) But for me, it becomes worth it when it resonates with someone that’s not me. I know people say “art is personal” – “do it for you!” or whatever, but I’m not into that whole idea. It drives me when people like the work. When I make something that folks enjoy, it gives me a rush to keep going.
What is your absolute dream in life?
Guess what? That’s another one that keeps on shifting! The simple answer is that my dream is to continue creating entertainment. I like to say it very vaguely, because I try to be incredibly unattached to any specific medium. Movies may be dead in 20 years. Tik Toks will most likely be dead in 20 years. Online streaming might get beat out by some sort of all-encompassing brain entertainment that we can’t even comprehend yet. Whatever the case, I just want to make entertainment for folks on whatever medium they’re utilizing at whatever point in time.
What work do you take the most pride in at this point in your career?
My latest film, For The Good of The People would have to take the cake at this point. This project has been such a ridiculous span of time, work, blood, sweat, tears and all that fun stuff. It’s a culmination of so many people’s incredible work and so much of my own passion, that I’m finally at the point where I take pride in it. The road is far from over, but now that the festival run has begun (nice rhyme) I can focus on sharing it, rather than building it. Check out more For The Good of The People info at https://ForTheGoodofThePeople.com
What was the most valuable single lesson you learned in completing that project?
If something can go wrong, it will go wrong. Plan for the worst case scenario and prepare for it. If all goes well, then it’ll be easier than expectations.
Who is one person that you hope to work with and why?
Honestly, the Los Angeles comedy scene comedians. People like Andrew Santino, Bobby Lee, Rick Glassman. These are incredibly talented comedy figures that I believe have even more potential outside of comedy, I love funny people working in genres they’re less familiar with. In my opinion, it usually leads to unexpected, compelling performances with cool, genre-bending movies. I would love to work with these dudes on something wild, outside of their traditional wheelhouse.
Is there anyone in particular that you’d like to thank and/or shout-out in this interview?
Oh yeah! I certainly would.
I’d like to thank AND shout out my incredibly talented and amazing friends. I’m fortunate enough to have a social circle of creative, skilled and overall outstanding people. Check out all their work too!Jenny Whipple – https://Cinemonic.com/jenny-whipple
Samuel Caswell – https://Instagram.com/SamTea03
B. Raad – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmad-b-raad-0a57931a7
Kate Shaughnessey – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-shaughnessey-a8912214a
Emma Whisler – https://www.emma-whisler.com/
Jaryd Massaro – https://JarydMassaro.com
Thank you so much for being a part of The Film Festival Network Community, Chris K. Daniels! We can’t wait to see what you do next.
Thanks for having me! This was great!
Be sure to check out the official trailer for For The Good of The People – Directed by Chris K. Daniels!
For The Good of The People – Trailer
KEEP UP WITH CHRIS K. DANIELS ONLINE:
Nikki Smallwood Filmmaker Interview
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE AWE-INSPIRING, NIKKI SMALLWOOD
Hi Nikki! Welcome! Could you tell us a bit about yourself? Give us a brief introduction!
Currently I’m an Administrative Professional by day and a film maker on the side. I have been involved with film and theater in some manner since the early 1990’s. My first encounter was in front of the screen as an actress. My first major role was as a bully in an after school industrial film for the New Jersey Department of Education. Moving forward I’ve booked various roles in the Washington DC area with local commercials, background for a few award winning series, various indie films and Theater plays. Although I enjoy singing and acting, I also enjoy writing and in the last few years decided to get into the production side of film. I started as a production assistant helping with everything from making runs to gaffing. I then moved into various roles in the Art Department with make up, special effects make up and set design. Then I started to write scripts shorts and features.
Where are you located?
Maryland, USA
What is a quote that summarizes everything you’re about as a filmmaker?
“If you’ve written a script, you are now a screenwriter.”
I think it helps to get your mind right.
What inspired you to start creating films?
I was over the rat race of trying to get noticed on screen, but I loved the art and craft of making films. I wanted a way to still be in it, and finding a way to get on sets working for free was my way in. It was hard work but I loved every minute of it.
Who most inspires/influences you currently and why?
Black women film makers, such as Ava DuVernay and others. I just want to be like them when I grow up.
That’s amazing to hear. What would you say is your favorite film of all time?
Dirty Dancing
What is your favorite film genre and why?
Horror. Mostly ghost stories. Because I’ve had so many ghost encounters growing up. I like hearing that there are others who’ve experienced the same thing and that I’m not alone.
As a creator, what do you find to be the thing that most drives you?
Imagination. I love how ideas and dreams about “what if” can take me in so many directions. And if it entertains and interests someone, it gives me a little sense of gratification, even if it’s just one person.
What is your absolute dream in life?
To be a successful writer/director. I’m a little private so fame is not something I crave, but I would love to be able to consistently make films and become somewhat known for making good films.
What work do you take the most pride in at this point in your career?
My short Before the Underground Vol. 1 – Rit. It was my very first writer/director debut. It was so low budget so it started off pretty ruff, it’s my baby and I’m proud of it. It can only go up from there.
What has been the most challenging project you’ve been a part of?
Shooting Vol 1 of Before the Underground. Because it was low budget I was filling other hats besides Directing. I think as a Director, that is all you should be working on because you need that synchronicity with your cast and crew. It was hard.
What was the most valuable single lesson you learned in completing that project?
To get more funding so I could hire more people and pay people.
What has been the most fun thing you’ve done in your career so far?
I loved doing MUA and special effects make up, especially blood, bruises, cuts, burns, scars, scrapes etc. I’m not a gory person but it doesn’t bother me. I had a lot of fun playing with people when I tried out new things.
Who is one person that you hope to work with and why?
Ava DuVernay. I’d like to watch her move and take notes.
Is there anyone in particular that you’d like to thank and/or shout-out in this interview?
I’d like to thank Mauricio Ventura a very talented Cinematographer, Sandra Camargo a very talented Director. They have both helped me tremendously not only with various projects but also personally. I’d also like to thank Dr. Kinley for being who he is.
Thank you so much for being a part of The Film Festival Network Community, Nikki! We can’t wait to see what you do next.
Be sure to keep up with Nikki online and stay tuned for incredible work to come!
Interview With DJ Remark
An Interview With The Incredibly Talented & Passionate Filmmaker: DJ Remark
Hi DJ! Could you please tell me about yourself? Give us a look at your story! What got you here?
I’ve been in and out of the film scene since 2010. I was in a few low (read; “no”) budget films as an actor and maintained contact with friends I made during filming ever since then. I’ve always been a movie nerd and I came up in stage acting and improv. Most of my acting career was made during high school as well as a few local community theater shows. I got a “real job” and up until 2018, spent my life clocking in and out of a career I was less than in love with. It was then I decided I was going to stop being safe and take a risk on filmmaking. I decided I liked telling stories better than being in them so I bought a bunch of cheap gear and wrote my first short film.
From then, the bug really bit me and I’ve been dedicating all of my free time to filmmakng ever since.
Where are you from?
Akron, Ohio
What is a quote that summarizes everything you’re about as a filmmaker?
“Everything worth doing, is hard.”
Which is a summation from a longer quote by Teddy Roosevelt, one of the more interesting American presidents.
What inspired you to start creating films?
Truth be told, my biggest inspiration was sitting at my desk one day, getting fatter and more depressed about seeing the next 50 years of my life blow by doing the same thing over and over again. It was just hitting me really hard that I spent so much time in theater, graduated from a broadcasting school, and spent so much time in performing arts just to be working at a desk that I had to make a change. Other inspirations which are no less significant, are my parents, my middle school drama teacher Wendy Duke, my high school drama teacher Kathy Fisher, my best friend and writer Jason Orr, and all the movies that I love and want to pay homage to in my own films.
Who most inspires/influences your style and specific execution currently and why?
The two directors who have done the best to scare me other than the old Masters of Horror are Mike Flanagan and David Sandberg. Mike Flanagan’s technique is amazing to me and I try to emulate him as much as possible. His movies are some of my favorite modern horror; Oculus, Hush, Gerald’s Game, and Doctor Sleep are just fantastic pieces of cinema. Sandberg as influenced me in different ways other than visually. His approach to directing and his creative problem solving as well as his commentary on being a creative while suffering with anxiety, a trait we both share, helps the dream of becoming a successful filmmaker just a little more real.
Besides those guys, 80’s horror and neon noir aesthetic inspire the look of my films. I’m still working on ways to implement those aesthetics but I think the more I do the better I’ll get until I have a full realized vision where you can point to a piece of work and go “That’s a Remark film”
What is your favorite film of all time?
Since I absolutely have to answer this question without picking a genre, I’ll say The Lord of The Rings.
As a creator, what do you find to be the thing that most drives you to succeed? We like to use this portion for others to learn from you!
My love of entertaining. No matter what it is, I love to entertain people. Seems like a simplistic answer but when you get down to it, filmmaking is for other people as much as it is for you. You should tell stories and make movies you want to see, but also keep in mind other people are going to watch what you create looking for entertainment value. I think the best films serve both the creator and the audience.
What is your overall dream in life?
To be comfortable. There’s a lot of ways you can interpret that as filmmaking is a pretty hectic and chaotic environment, however, I believe if I’m able to find the point of equilibrium where I’m both creatively and financially “comfortable” that is where I’ll consider the dream “achieved”.
What was your role the creation of the film?
Director/Editor
Who wrote the script?
Jason Orr
What is the film’s genre?
Horror Noir
That’s an amazing genre. Could you give us a logline?
Vic lands an interview to become a vampire.
What inspired the way that you went about executing this project?
There were a few things I wanted to try with this film. I wanted to have some shots that I pulled from the popular horror videogame Resident Evil. There’s a shot that looks high, wide, and tilted, which is the one that we ended up using as we were quickly running out of time at the location to play with the angle in other shots but I’m happy with the way it turned out. Being in the middle of the pandemic we also wanted to think of a way we could have as little cast and crew as possible in as few locations as possible. We ended up being able to have more crew than anticipated by the way we used wireless monitors and transmitters for video and audio. I would actually have liked to see a bird’s eye view of what we all looked like standing in every different room of the house other than where the action was taking place. It was quite an experience.
What was the most difficult part in the process of creating this film? How did you overcome it?
Shooting it in a weekend. We took all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and even into the nights to finish this. We overcame by having our schedule tight and both cast and crew being professionals. Vince, Angelia, and Samantha, the actors, were all very successful in assuming their characters. I really had very little directing to do as they all just very naturally performed to their characters. The crew were all amazing. My first AD, Christopher Thomas, was my favorite crutch as I leaned on him the most during production. Setup and cleanup were lightning fast and you can see for yourself the result of their professionalism in the film.
What was the most fun part of this entire production?
All of it. Honestly, everything from conception, to pre-production, to production, to post, and now on the festival circuit. Being a short film, I didn’t think it necessary to withhold the film from the public so it could run in festivals. I’ve been (pretty) careful to make sure the festivals I have been submitting to don’t require premiere status, and so far so good, I’ve only been disqualified from one for that reason.
What is the single greatest lesson you learned along the creation of this particular project?
That I still have so much to learn. I don’t think I’ll ever stop learning about filmmaking and that’s exciting to me. Every new project teaches me something and makes me better at something, whether it’s directing, editing, writing, or planning meals for the shoot (never, EVER neglect feeding your cast and crew. EVER.) there is always something that I can learn. For this it was in the editing room. I edit all of my projects and I had never worked with BRAW before. It was a challenge to find the right plugins and codecs to get BRAW and Premiere to play nice with each other but I eventually made it work and now I’m a better editor for it.
Take a look at the film’s official poster!
Fortunately for our readers, DJ Remark’s amazing film is publicly-available and free to stream! We’ve attached the entire short below. It’s a must-watch, folks! Be sure to share it too.
Is there anything else you would like us to know? Or any final thoughts / things you’d like to share with our readers?
I’m currently working on my first feature film which is a horror anthology. We’re in the script writing process now but I wanted to take what I’ve learned from making short films and apply that to make a feature length. The approach is to treat the feature like four different short films and schedule everything as if we’re making four separate projects that tie into one big one. Seems obvious, but I think spelling it out makes it seem a bit more real.
KEEP UP WITH DJ ONLINE: