Demetrios Katis - interview

Life imitates Art or Art imitates Life?

Τo know how to live, and to be pleased with it, and to enjoy life, that is art. Τhe design of life, by some supreme being or some universal energy, that unfortunately we do not know, and do not even understand, this is art. Τhe movement of the stars, the movement of the planets, the visual astrological depiction of the galaxies, black holes, the daily lives of people, whether ugly or beautiful, the inexplicable way the human mind works, love, all these are inspired art, and each one of us can interpret it as he/she wants, either scientifically, religiously, or philosophically..and this artistic reality - if it really exists, and is not some artificial hologram - is represented by art, cinema, music, poetry, writing, painting and every kind of inspired creation of man.

Which is the best Moment on set?

Εvery moment, from the initial moment when I write the script, to the creative moment of designing the storyboard, to the moment when the actors will be chosen and the roles will be distributed, the moment when the first rehearsals of the actors are started, the moment you feel the joy of the first shots, when the shooting of the film begins. Moments when the daily shooting of a scene ends, and all of us, cast and crew enjoy an excellent dinner after a hard day of success or..even failure. the moments are many, inexhaustible. a very beautiful moment is when you go back to the studio and feeling happy with the day's shooting, and especially when what you see is close to what you wanted to happen. I could recount countless moments both good and bad but definitely unrepeatable and unique.

Did anyone ever tell you weren't good enough?

Μy experience in art, I would say is long-standing, but there is always an inexhaustible space for exploration, progress, and optimization. Ιn my first steps, I might have heard from some that I wasn't good enough, for various reasons, either correct or envious... but I always knew where I was standing on, and how I could fix things for the better. I had and have confidence in myself, but always humbly, and definitely in my field of course,  in which I am specialized, and always willing to listen to simple advice from real simple people.  Τhis is the most constructive advice, from people who have nothing to lose or gain from you. In the art we walk alone and we work together.Patience and perseverance,vision.   

How can you stay focused on your goal?

Patience and perseverance, vision. The sense of creation always keeps me focused on my purpose and my work.

Have you ever had a breakdown because of your Job?

Breakdown is not an option, on the other hand, bad moments are really out there...if I feel bad about those moments? yes I do, for the moment though.. I stand up and I keep walking.. no guts no glory..

Talent is a blessing or a curse?

Of course talent is a blessing..but always you have to pay the price of it.. emotionally and practically.. being a talent means you have a special way of seeing things beyond their material existence.. being a talent it means, you feel happy, you smile, you love, you suffer, you cry, you feel sorry, you're sad, and you're in high spirits as well, and all these above,  leading towards your artistic creation, your work..

What would you like to improve about yourself as a composer?

Well as you know I'm a professional music composer with a lot of experience worldwide. Art is a broad institution of creation. As a film director and screenplay writer I have so much to learn, to improve, but always based on my experience as a professional in the music art. I use all this experience to build a parallel course that travels along with music.. for me music and film fill each other's gap. I love to work with experienced professionals in the film industry in order to combine our knowledge to a final outcome..

What's the worst critic you have received?

Well during my career as a composer I've never received a very bad critic about my music, on the other hand received irrelevant critics, of, probably, personal issues, rather like a competitor's so-called bulling, from another so-called professional composers. I was only 19 years old when I received platinum record Award from EMI, and that made some people to feel uncomfortable, and most of them they were at least 20 years older than I was. Although I have worked as a director and producer for dozens of advertising spots and video clips, the truth now is that, as a director, screenwriter and cinematographer, and of course the producer of my own first feature film, I feel a little curious about the potential future reception  from fellow professionals.. the good thing is that my work has already been presented with 30 awards, nominations, honorable mentions, and official selections all over the world at major international film festivals so far. Consequently the first professionals, at the film festivals have duly honored me and I feel truly wonderful and grateful.

If you weren't a composer what would you like to be?

if I were not all of these or even one of them, I would like to be an astrophysicist or an astronomer. Both, this science which is related to the universe, as well as art, contain philosophy, and fit in a common path of exploration.

If Cinema was a color what would it be?

Cinema is indeed a color, and not just one. it is the multicolor of our thoughts, our feelings, our perceptions and beliefs, it is a vision of the future, and truth of the present, as well as a historical review of the past. this world is colorful, so is cinema.

A day without a movie is...

Α day without a movie is the same as a day without music and that is precisely why both arts interact.

If someone offered you to play/direct/write in/a movie that you despice but that for sure will make you rich and famous...would you accept the job?

Μy first priority with the subject I will deal with, is quality. Αnd when I say quality I mean the quality of the combination of all the arts that will work together to produce a desirable result. Τhis has nothing to do with whether I like a certain script or a certain movie genre . if the genre is so badly extreme and so offensive to my intelligence and morals I will not accept to undertake it. But of course I would undertake to carry out a job which would be commercially successful. And that is because commercial success includes a good deal of quality of all the arts that will work together.

What's your greatest ambition?

My ambitions are specific and always related to the creation of new projects. I believe that just as with my musical success as a composer, all these years, I seek in this humble way to achieve something similar in the cinema as well.

What's your biggest fear?

Ηumans are full of fears from the moment they are born to the moment they leave this reality.. we always try as a human species to over indulge our fears, sometimes unsuccessfully and sometimes successfully. Fear always lurks when you give a special attention to it. Fear creates anxiety and anxiety creates fear and it's a never ending cycle. if we realize our temporary journey the fears will subside.

Does music helps you to create?

Μaybe this is the best question for me after all. Αnd that's because I'm a music composer. Μusic creates images, and these images the art of cinema comes to realize. For me everything is primarily sound, and therefore music, an auditory vision that ends up becoming a visual feast of dreams.

You have the chance to make a Silent movie, what's your message to the audience?

Ιf I ever made a motion picture of a silent content, the subject of the film would be precisely the preciousness of silence.

Share your speech if you should win an Oscar.....

The truth is that I haven't thought about it, nor do I know if I will win an Oscar, nor do I know what I would say to the public if I won an Oscar. Οbviously I would improvise at that moment.

How can people find you?

demetrismusic@yahoo.com

+30 690 729 2353

www.broken-circle.net (feature film)

www.facebook.com/epicscores

How old you were when you decided you wanted to be a Director?


I still haven't decided. Seriously, I've had a few flirtations with arts. I studied film in college, then dropped out to pursue music, painting, and literature before returning to Cinema. Cinema is the culmination of all these, so maybe I'll stick with Directing for a while.

For you, a Film is...


An experience. When I can look up from my seat and get jolted back into reality.

What do you feel when you're Directing?


Sheer terror! No, seriously, there are so many moving parts that could go wrong that are always in your mind. Further, as an Indie director, I'm working with a… truncated budget, so there is more I'm responsible for than bigger budget productions. So I am ready to snap into problem-solving mode at any moment. Then there's a scene where it clicks and takes you out of the artificial world of the set into a new reality. And that scene becomes very real, and for a moment, you are not on set, but you are in that new reality, and it's a good take, and you know you've captured a moment of beauty. It's like other feelings.

You can go to the Movies with any actor or director that you love. What kind of movie do you choose and with who are you going to watch it?


If you're telling me I can take Brigitte Bardot out to see a Romantic Comedy, I'm not going to say no. But intellectually… Maybe attend a Fassbinder Film Festival with Jean-Luc Godard, then go to a Café in Montparnasse to smoke Gauloises and drink espresso laced with Spanish brandy while discussing existential philosophy. 

Audrey Hepburn used to say, "Nothing is Impossible" what do you think about it?
I

I thought she said, "Nothing is Implausible"? But seriously, Sure… Within reason. I mean… you say that, then someone comes along and makes a comment like, "what about pigs flying" and then ruins the moment. But in the realm of human endeavor, on a long enough timeline, nothing is impossible, including succumbing to entropy. I think more aspirations are defeated from fatigue rather than circumstance. 

Can you live just of your passion?


Yes… I'm a very passionate man.

What's more important, talent or luck?


Hands down talent. Luck would have to be some resolute constant beyond reason. Whereas talent is a resolute constant. 

You must go to a desert island, but you can bring with you just one movie...
I

’m going to cheat and say Fassbinder’s Berlin Alexanderplatz. It's a 15-hour film, so when you get to the end, you've forgotten how it started, so it's like watching an entirely new film every time.

Have you ever accepted a movie to Direct even if you didn't like the project?


That wouldn't happen. I only work on projects I've written. I did walk away from a project because I didn't like the executive producer. It was the first project I ever had in development, and I went with a producer with some major credits. Unfortunately, he also had a terrible reputation in Hollywood, and as a newcomer, I should have done my homework first.

What's the best compliment you have received about your Job?


When Lipstick Traces was nominated for Best Ensemble Cast at the IndieX Film Festival in Los Angeles. 

Are you satisfied about your career?


I'm very happy with what I am doing, and I take moments to step back and enjoy the process. But I think satisfaction breeds stagnation. It's a difficult balance. You want to be content in the moment but always strive for a more complete version of your vision. This gets back to the Hepburn quote, In order to endure, to reach that which has been deemed impossible, we need to take a moment and acknowledge our triumphs along the way.

Do you have a good luck charm?


Not a good luck charm, but I have two items that are constants on my desk. One is a meteor that impacted somewhere in Argentina around 1650, and the other is a piece of the Berlin Wall. The meteor is estimated to be between three to four billion years old, which is beyond comprehension. I keep it to remind me of the grandeur of the universe and how small each of us is in the grand scheme. I keep the fragment of the Berlin Wall as a symbol of what intolerance can breed and how it can be defeated by the will of a people. Nothing is impossible.

Which is the worst moment on set?


Just one? I remember a time when I scouted a location, a bar/restaurant in the Bronx. It looked perfect for two scenes, so I booked the cast, crew, and extra. Unfortunately, when we got there, they had started street work out in front, and I knew any sound we recorded would be useless, and we'd have to dub it later. But it wasn't the end. During the shoot, batteries were dying for no reason, and lights and backup cameras didn't work… It was a fucking mess. But what I didn't do was lose it, or let on to the cast the shit we were in. Because of that, I got some great performances, and after a couple of ADR sessions, the scenes turned out great.

How do you feel when a job you've been part of is ending?


Projects don't end; they evolve. I'm not a parent, but I imagine it's the same feeling a parent would have when they send their child off to college. Childhood has ended, and there is some sadness because you will never have that innocence again. Still, you take solace in knowing your creation is going out to experience the world and, hopefully, fulfill their potential. 

Have you ever lied to get a job?


That wouldn't happen as I only work on projects I conceive. But further to this, to lie is to lose integrity from which one can never recover. If I go broke, I can make more money. If my home burns down, I can find another. But if one loses their integrity, one can never get it back. It's a permanent state. 

If you should win an Oscar your first taught would go to....


My cast and crew they're like family to me.

Where can we find out more about you and your work?

You can find more about Mick and Lipstick Traces on the project's official website at - lipstick-traces.com

Which is the best Moment on set?

The best moment on the set of Sister was when we shot the scenes in the apartment and nightmare sequences. In between takes during those shoots, our assistant director Giorgio Giudice would pull out his guitar and play songs that brought some fun and lightheartedness to the set. The shoot for the scene at the character Jim Smith (Joshua Scantland)’s house was exciting since we got to play with a bunch of lizards and snakes. Vasudha (who plays the main character Sister Jowi) had one of the snakes wrapped around her neck which was a fun shock for her! I greatly enjoyed all the moments I got to spend with Vasudha during shoots because she is such a talented actress/filmmaker and amazingly kind individual, and I am at my most creative and confident when I am with her on set. Her recent award wins for best actress are well deserved, and I look forward to making more projects with her in the future!

Did anyone ever tell you weren't good enough?

I had a professor in film school who used to be a prominent actor/filmmaker who led me to believe that he could help me break into the film industry, but that ended up not being the case, and he told me that I would never work in Hollywood. I also had a female classmate in film school whom I was romantically interested in and had hopes that she and I would collaborate on professional film projects and go on to become the “John & Yoko” of film, but our relationship didn’t work out and she said I would never be a “real” filmmaker. I was upset by their criticisms, but I never let their pessimistic comments or negative feelings toward me stop me from pursuing my creative dreams, and they likely would change their opinions if they could see the recent successes I have achieved as an independent filmmaker. Looking back on it now, the whole ordeal was kind of laughable like those scenes in musical biopics where someone tells the music artist “you’ll never succeed” and then the music artist proves them wrong and becomes successful.

How can you stay focused on your goal?

I stay focused on my goals by thinking of the success that will come from achieving them. I think about how no matter how hard it gets or the challenges I face along the way, things will work well in the end if I just maintain a positive attitude and keep pushing forward and have faith that my collaborators and I will succeed in our endeavors.

Have you ever had a breakdown because of your Job?

I have had moments in previous projects where they had to be canceled in the middle of production due to unforeseen circumstances, but I wouldn’t say I ever have had a breakdown. I learn from my missteps and make sure they do not happen again in the future and just move on to pursue better things.

Talent is a blessing or a curse?

Talent is definitely a blessing. I have a real gift for seeing the world through a creative lens. I have a clear and active imagination that helps me to craft ideas into an actualized state of being. It is such an amazing feeling when I visualize a scene in my head and then see it come to life in its filming and editing exactly as I imagined it. It shows the incredible power of the medium of film in how it can be used to create something from nothing.

What would you like to improve about yourself as a Filmmaker?

I would like to improve some of the equipment I use during production. I currently film most of my projects using the Canon 6D DSLR camera, which is the same camera that many prominent filmmakers such as Ron Howard have used to record their films, but more advanced cameras have come about in more recent years that I would like to use on future projects to increase the picture quality of my films even further. I ultimately would love to shoot on 35mm or 70mm motion-picture film cameras if I had the option and the budget to do so since those formats yield the best picture quality possible.

What's the worst critic you have received?

The worst criticism I ever received was one of the first screenplays I wrote in a class at college. I had followed all the instructions correctly and wrote the script in the way our professor wanted, but the professor hated my screenplay, and it was at that moment I realized that even when you do everything right, there will always be someone who will find some reason you are wrong, and I learned to not let these people and their irrational criticisms stop me from proceeding with my creative endeavors.

If you weren't a Filmmaker what would you like to be?

If I weren’t a filmmaker/TV producer, I would like to be a scientist. As a kid, I was fond of Bill Nye the Science Guy and enjoyed going to science museums. Science classes also were some of my favorites in school, especially the fun experiments and doing projects for the science fair. Even today, I enjoy reading science books and watching science documentaries. Some of my interests, including Transcendental Meditation and Freemasonry, also have their basis in science, and there is a great overlap between science and religion (another great passion of mine) though many believe that one cannot exist with the other. Science documentaries or science fiction may be a genre I tackle in future film projects.  If Cinema was a color what would it be?  If Cinema was a color, it would be Prussian blue like the color of Heaven described in Donovan’s song “Wear Your Love Like Heaven,” since I see Cinema as a window to a heavenly realm created by artists who are divinely inspired to craft their visions into reality through the film medium.

A day without a movie is...

A day without a movie is like a day without food or sleep. Movies and by extension narrative works in other mediums such as books, television, and web series provide necessary intellectual stimulation that could cause one to fall into a state of boredom or even aggravation if gone without.

If someone offered you to direct/produce a movie that you despise but that for sure will make you rich and famous...would you accept the job?

If someone offered me a movie job I despised but would make me rich, I would decline the offer because I can only feel comfortable making a film I actually agree with or would want my name associated with since I see my creative work as a reflection of my self. I also would not see a film where I am not the creator or a major collaborator as my own work as I am at that point just helping someone else to achieve his or her vision and not my own.

What's your greatest ambition?

My greatest ambition is to become a successful and innovative independent filmmaker and eventually get to a point where I have my own production company, developing films and other creative projects across multiple platforms. I also intend to serve in leadership roles and continue to advance in organizations in which I am involved such as The Freemasons, Transcendental Meditation, and my church.

What's your biggest fear?

My biggest fear as a filmmaker is the possibility that I might eventually lose my creative spark or no longer be able to make movies for whatever reason, but I tend to stay focused on the positives and work towards the optimum outcomes and find new ways to keep my creative juices flowing and better myself as a creative and a person in general.

Does music help you?

Music definitely helps a lot when I write outlines and ideas for films. I usually create playlists of songs that inspire me for the particular film I am developing almost as if they were the soundtrack of the film. I will listen to these songs constantly to construct the vision of my idealized film and then write down what I imagine in script form. Some of the songs that inspired me while writing Sister are “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles, “Cymbaline” by Pink Floyd, “St. Matthew” by The Monkees, “She’s Lost Control” by Joy Division, and “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” by The Smiths.

You have the chance to make a Silent movie, what's your message to the audience?

If I had a chance to make a silent movie, I would make sure the visuals are engaging and are able to make the story presented easy to understand. In some ways, the opening cosmic sequence of Sister is like an artistic silent film as there is no dialogue but the story is made clear by the visuals and the actresses’ facial expressions and movements. I especially was impressed with the performance of Anza (who plays the deity Sophia) in these scenes as her face and body movements were so expressive and clearly state the emotional feeling of the character. Anza is a rising pop star in the music scene, especially with her recent hit single “Too Late,” and she will continue to make great strides in her music and acting career.

Share your speech if you should win an Oscar.....

If I were to win an Oscar, I would thank all the individuals and organizations who helped me achieve the award and then lead the audience in The Lord’s Prayer and close by saying “Jai Guru Dev!”

Which is the Best Moment on set? 

When we're rolling. Seeing the scenes come to life is always surprising and mesmerizing. 

Did anyone ever tell you weren't good enough? 

Maybe everyone, all the time. The secret is to take that as encouragement and not let it hit you so hard. If you overthink everything you do in order to please others, you shouldn't be working in the creative industry.

How can you stay focused on your goal? 

Planning, taking one step at a time, and breathing. 

Have you ever had a breakdown because of your Job?

I work in advertising so breakdowns are almost mandatory. The industry is packed with egocentric people, who often don't serve the purpose of the work but rather their own. One of the great advantages of working in advertising is the ability to develop thick skin. Your ideas die every minute, so you learn to be resilient and move past them. Onwards is the word of command.

Talent is a blessing or a curse? 

A blessing! Curse? What?

What would you like to improve about yourself as a

director? 

Maybe being a little more patient and less impulsive when it comes to building the team and getting the project started. I tend to want everything done yesterday, but craft takes time and we need to allow ourselves to balance the sense of urgency that comes with big productions and deadlines, with the arduous and time-consuming process of creating art from scratch.

What's the worst criticism you have received? 

From my dad when I was a child: you have a wandering mind. Little did he know that this "wandering mind" helps me to create and be diverse in my thinking. If you have lots of ideas and change your mind all the time, take it as a good thing. It's part of the creative process.

If you weren't a director what would you like to be? 

In the film industry, perhaps a DOP or Producer. I already act like both because of the small budget situations we often see ourselves in, but the TRIO of director, producer, and cinematographer makes everything come to life. 

If Cinema was a color what would it be?   

80% black. Dark Grey.  

A day without a movie is...  

 A day reading a book

If someone offered you to direct a movie that you despise but that for sure will make you rich and famous...would you accept the job? 

I think there's no movie you can despise once you put your own spin on it. So if I am accepting a project, I am most likely changing a few things in it to make it my own. But certainly, the purpose is not to be rich or famous.

What's your greatest ambition? 

To be recognized as an authentic storyteller.

What's your biggest fear? 

To be anchored in the sea of sameness.

Does music help you to play/direct, write? 

I am the one who scores my own music at the moment, but usually I write in silence because the voice of the characters are really loud in my head.

You have the chance to make a Silent movie, what's your message to the audience? 

I already made one, it's called "Home" - check it out, please. It's a film about domestic violence and mental health.

Share your speech if you should win an Oscar..... 

Am I winning for best film? I feel like I need a bit more of information here...

What do you feel when you're acting?

I love being able to express my thoughts and ideas

You can go to the Movies with an actor/director/screenplayer that you love. What kind of movie do you choose and with who you're gonna watch it?

I'm going with Madeline Kelley, and we're watching a documentary 

Audrey Hepburn used to say “Nothing is Impossible”, what do you think about it?

I 100% agree with Audrey :)

Can you live just of your passion?

YES!

What's more important talent or luck?

Talent....It will always be with you

You must go to a desert island but you can bring with you just one movie...

Empire Strikes Back

Have you ever accepted a part altough you didn't like the project?

No, I would not. I would have to believe in the project to be a part of it.

What's the best compliment you have received about your Job?

That I am making a difference in the lives of young people and helping shape the future.

Are you satisfied about your career?

Yes! 

Do you have a good luck charm?

No

Which is the worst moment on set ?

Setting up the shoot. Lots of opportunities to mess up expensive equipment.

How do you feel when a job you've been part of it's ending?

Glad that it's over, but always a bit bittersweet.

Have you ever lied to get a part?

Yes haha

If you should win an Oscar your first taught would go to....

Thank God and everyone who got me to that place.

As we know, you have invested in a lot of projects and set up many enterprises. So before you invest in this film, have you ever participated in other films?  And will you share with us what’s the difference between the investment in films and that in other types of projects? 

I have never invested in any film project before.

There is great difference between the investment in films and that in other types of projects. For example, I will focus on the team, product and market prospect when I make investments in science and technology projects, and I know a lot about them and I could participate in both product development and market expansion; while as for the investment in films, it completely depends on the resource integration ability of directors and producers as well as their capabilities of comprehending the film industry, so I can’t give them a hand, but only understand and assist the director in his work.

So far, this film has won over 30 global awards and honors, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, Best Lead Actor, etc. So, how do you evaluate Director Oliver Yan?

Director Oliver Yan is a new prominent director, with the background of science and technology, the spirit of craftsmanship for excellence and the feelings of an artist. I believe that he will bring more excellent works for audiences.

You won the Highest Achievement Award of Intel in 1990, and you are an iconic figure in the field of semiconductors and chips. You have founded IC Education and you are the author of the best-seller “The Big Bang of the Chip”. Besides, you have your own radio station at www.ximalaya.com. Will you share your experience with us?

Yes, I have been engaged in the chip industry for over 30 years, and I used to hold many posts ranging from an engineer to an enterprise manager, a technician to a marketing person, a student to a professor, an entrepreneur to a founder, and a science writer for chips to a We-Media worker, and recently I have shifted from a film viewer to a film investor. I enjoy the opportunity for cross-industry development in this new era. I hope that we can make contributions to Chinese film industry together, to show the charm and influence of Chinese films to the world.

Finally, what are you up to lately?

Recently, the chip industry has been a very trending topic and the overall localization of the chip industry is of the greatest investment potential. Both my colleagues in IC Technology and I are busy with integrating resources, developing the new generation of chip materials and chip production, especially the extra-high voltage chip and communication chip related to 5G. We hope that we can launch such new products in 2021 or 2022.

If you could work with anyone in the world, who would that person be?

From an acting perspective I think that would be Robert De Niro, and from a directing perspective of course I would love Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, or Oliver Stone to work with me on one of my future projects. In fact, I have two amazing projects that are both historical and politically significance that would attract all three based on the types of projects they have done previously. I also believe they could turn these screenplays into multi-Oscar winning films. Oh, and let me not forget Denzel Washington, a fabulous actor and director that I would like to work with also.  From a female perspective, actresses I would like to work with include Zoe Kravitz and Ruth Negga, and it would be amazing to work with Ava DuVernay.

Tell us something most people don't know about you.

I was extremely shy as a child and had a fear of speaking in public. Most people that know me now don’t believe me!

The one person who has truly believed in you throughout your career.

I have to mention more than one. To answer this without offending anybody I have met in recent years I would have to say my father, the mother of my children, and my children. Despite the hurdles I have had to overcome, they have always been there to remind me of what I’m capable of when I set my mind to it. 

What was the most important lesson you had to learn as Producer?

As a filmmaker it would have to be to trust in the right people and in your own gut feeling. As a screenwriter, it would be to write about something you’re passionate about and ultimately that would attract a global audience.

Is it harder to get started or to keep going? What was the particular thing that you had to conquer to do either?

I think to get started in my case, once I start there’s no stopping me! To get started the thing that I had to conquer was to ignore all the people that were trying to hold me back and to become single minded and focussed on how I was going to achieve a clearly defined set of goals. It was learning which people could add value and which people to cut loose who detracted from what I was trying to do. 

What keeps you motivated?

Achieving my goals and excellence in this industry amongst my peers.

How has your style evolved?

I believe I have become much more lateral in the way I approach projects, and more decisive in making hard decisions about who I work with and who I don’t work with to ensure I am surrounded by a small but quality and loyal team. 

On set, the most important thing is:

A great atmosphere and comradery amongst all the crew and creative people, and efficient communication and execution of the daily tasks. 

The project(s) you’re most proud of: 

The project I am most proud of to date has not yet been filmed, this is The Great Hunger. It is an epic story of love and survival set during the harrowing time of the Irish famine in the mid 19th Century. My co-writers include Man Booker Prize winning author of Schindler’s List Thomas Keneally, his daughter Meg, a successful novelist and screenwriter in her own right, and double Oscar nominated director and writer Roland Joffé. Of course, Boogie Man is a production we have finished that was a fun film and to date has won 51 awards at international film festivals this year alone, so I’m proud of that too.

The most challenging project you worked on. And why?

Juliana & the Medicine Fish simply because it was my first co-production and involved filming in Manitoba, Canada a long way from the comforts of home. Having said that, it was made a whole lot easier because of the professionalism of my co-producers Tanya Brunel and Jeremy Torrie (who was also the writer/director). 

What are your short term and long term career goals?

My short term goals are to finish producing three of the smaller projects we have which are around the US$3 million level, and to complete the remaining seven larger budget films circa US$15-30 million over the next two years to a level where we achieve financial success for the investors, peer adulation in the way of winning major awards, and a positive effect on some of the social issues these films cover such as gender and race equality, transparency in government and the media etc. Of course, I would love to win an Oscar, which in many people’s eyes is the ultimate recognition within the industry, but more importantly for me is to leave behind me movie projects that will be watched by generations to come and become known as Classics. 

Your next projects?

The next three projects we have going into production are Gorger, a revenge/crime/drama based on a multi-award winning screenplay, The Great Hunger, mentioned earlier in the interview which will have an A-list cast, and On Par, a hip coming-of-age drama about a young boy fighting his inner demons whilst falling in love and developing his own hip hop music.

Please share with us where people can find you on social media, so our readers could keep track of your career

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Website: https://globalwatch.com/

If you could work with anyone in the world, who would that person be?

The thing that I love most in films is extensive, one-shot scenes where the actors just go for it, unleash their freedom, and do something so unexpected that the audience just sits in awe and loves it. I want to work with people who I know I can bring something unexpected out of so that they can surprise audiences and perhaps even surprise themselves. I’ve had to be my own casting director in the past, and it has made me more discerning as a director. I know to push. I know there is always something more to a character that the actor can bring out. That is why the actor is hired. You have them. They have the character. The character has the situation. Go all the way. That’s what we as actors are here for- to be. And that is why we as directors should always be good to our actors and never lead them to be things that are harmful. All should be for the good of the actor and for the film and every decision should leave the film that much better and everyone involved satisfied and proud of their work. To raise spirits and boost morale rather than to deplete souls. It makes for a better film, a more fluid creative process, a stronger foundation of trust, and a safe environment for actors and crew alike, both interiorly and exteriorly. Basically, it comes down to: be nice- and mean it- and everyone will give the best of themselves while feeling the best about themselves. Then everyone wins- cast, crew, audiences, and viability for future projects. There are a lot of great talents out there who I would love to work with. And, for each one, when the right project comes along and they match up to it and everything comes together, I will immensely enjoy working with them all.

Tell us something most people don't know about you:

My favorite color is cerulean blue. Not just any shade of blue. It has to be cerulean. Also, my original accent- the one I grew up with- wasn’t a standard New York accent. I’d learned different words from different people with different accents. So my original accent when I spoke as a little kid was a cross of Manhattan/Brooklyn/Long Island/Pennsylvania/Boston/London/Paris/Sicily/and this random Germany/Sweden lilt that came on every once in a while. If I don’t entirely focus on what I’m saying, I am liable to sometimes confuse people with my accent, even to this day. I have to often remind myself to just pick one at a time. And I have to remind myself that Spell Check will always “correct” me when I type “colour”. 

The one person who has truly believed in you throughout your career:

My mom and dad. They never use the word “impossible”. They love me unconditionally. And they are proud of me. To me, that’s everything. To know, not just that I am me, but also to have that foundation of the fact that they love me. I am who I am and I love myself. But I am not alone. I must say, to be loved by those who you truly love- it is a truly great thing.

What was the most important lesson you had to learn as

filmmaker/actor?

Nothing is impossible. If you need something done- do it. Not even the sky is the limit. Create what doesn’t exist. Be honest in your work. Be true to yourself. When you’re right and you know it- do it. And, whenever you have a question, ask the story- it will tell you what it is.

Is it harder to get started or to keep going? What was the particular

thing that you had to conquer to do either?

When the inspiration comes, go with it. I’ve always been a self-motivator, both by nature and by necessity, in everything in my life. Starting is fun, quitting is not an option, and keeping on going is what we do every day of our lives. Love it. Go with it. I found, with “Saints”, that the most interesting thing I had to do with my cast and crew was to find a groove, a pace, a rhythm, a fearlessness, and a forward-thrusting trust in such a brief amount of time. But again, the answer is in the story itself. You’ve brought it to them. You’re all in the middle of this world which has dictated to you how it wants to behave. Now, inhabit it. And let the magic happen.

What keeps you motivated?

I love what I do. Always have. Always will. My stories are mine and are always with me. They are a part of me. I love them. And I will always do right by them.

How has your style evolved?

More. I’m a very deductive-reasoning thinker. I see the result and I work its way back to its conception. As I make more and more films, I find new and bigger ways to tell and to share my stories with the world. I’m eccentric. I know it. I embrace it. I’m always looking for a way to build on what has been done or expected and take it to places never dreamed possible. In film, there is always the opportunity for more. Seize it. Never let it go. And enjoy the ride. Let what’s inside of you surprise you. It’s limitless.

On set, the most important thing is:

Safety, which brings freedom, which brings risk-taking, which brings trust, which brings the magic, which is the essence of film.

The project(s) you’re most proud of:

This film, “The Saints of the Rue Scribe”- because it is my first feature film. All of my novels- including “The Saints of the Rue Scribe”. Cinétage and “Stagebooks”. And the fact that I was able to incorporate Cinétage and the “Stagebooks” into “Saints”. I am definitely going to do a Cinétage “homage to the Charpentiers” of the “Stagebooks”. 

The most challenging project you worked on. And why?

This film. “Saints”. Because of the sheer scope and size of its 130+ people and infinite number of parts. It was the biggest to date. To be there for everything, every one, and every moment. Everything starts and ends with you, there is no second wave and no plan B, and by the time you’ve earned every moment of the film, you’ve finished making the film. And it’s yours. I loved it! It was truly wonderful. I’m looking forward to my next one.

What are your short term and long term career goals?

Short term- my next film project. Long term- more film projects. Always sharing my stories with the world in new, creative, and unexpected ways.

Your next projects?

I want to do the Cinétage “Homage”. I want to work with as many wonderful and creative people as possible. As for my next project, I am doing an adaptation of my 2019 novel “The Anniversary.” I’ve written the screenplay and look forward to going into pre-production and getting the perfect casting. With “Everything”, the short film I made this year while editing “Saints”, I did everything and worked in the smallest possible environment. With “The Anniversary”, I am looking forward with equal joy to a fully collaborative experience in the largest possible environment. I am also looking forward to working with top-notch actors to create characters and push limits and create surprises and moments that no one would have ever expected. Every time, I go all the way. Each way is different. Each way is a joy and a thrill of an adventure. “The Anniversary”, according to the novel and the screenplay, offers the potential for a powerhouse, first-rate, gets-under-your-skin-and-you’ll-never-forget-how-great-it-was, performance for the two lead characters and a supporting character. I want to make it right. I want to make it unforgettable. I want to make my cast shine like they deserve to shine. For the actors to disappear to the point where all that is left is the characters and the film has the freedom to fly. I want us all to go all the way.

Please share with us where people can find you on social media, so our

readers could keep track of your career:

Everything is up-to-the-minute and up-to-date on www.thesaintsoftheruescribe.com. 

If you could work with anyone in the world, who would that person be?

Joseph Campbell, the man who synthesized the Hero's journey. With him, developing any story or character would be an insightful endeavour as that man was a walking library filled with all the ancient stories and myths. 

Tell us something most people don't know about you.

I think that The Thin Red Line (1998) is a better war movie than Saving Private Ryan (1998).

The one person who has truly believed in you throughout your career.

It would have to be my best friend from college, Mike Kaney. He has always held me to the highest standard and had the highest of hope for any of my endeavours. 

What was the most important lesson you had to learn as  filmmaker?

People don't care about your project as much as you do. When you are in an above the line position it's easy to think that everyone on the crew cares as much about your project as you do, but the sad reality is that mostly it's just a paycheck for people. Once you have that in mind you are in a better position to make judgment calls that positively affect the crew.

Is it harder to get started or to keep going? What was the particular thing that you had to conquer to do either?

It's always harder to keep going as that requires more sacrifice and time. Biggest thing to conquer is your ego and value humble beginnings, no matter how long you have to stay humble. 

What keeps you motivated?

I love telling stories, so the possibility of making a film is enough motivation for me.

How has your style evolved?

I've become more and more fond of longer takes and longer lenses. It used to be whatever works as I presume that's how most people start. But now I want to enjoy the moments/scenes and at the same time squeeze everything in frame.

On set, the most important thing is:

Staying calm. More things fall apart the quicker you move through your thoughts.

The project(s) you’re most proud of:

I had the opportunity to produce a film in the summer of 2019, titled His Only Son, which is currently in post. So far this is my proudest achievement as a filmmaker.

The most challenging project you worked on. And why?

Probably His Only Son, changing of hats (swath of responsibilities), remote locations, and severe lack of sleep – I might have been the sole cause of Red Bull's revenue spike for the two months of production of the film.

What are your short term and long term career goals?

Short term is to finalize His Only Son and wrap up one of the documentaries I'm working on.

Your next projects?

Currently have 3 narrative projects in development. One period piece and two contemporary stories. And also have two documentaries in production both of which tackle personal hardships.

If you could work with anyone in the world, who would that person be?

I want to work with Tony Kaye, also the director of Ratatouille, Guillermo Del Toro, Martin Scorsese, Joaquin Phoenix and the director of Lord of the Rings. Peter Jackson.

Tell us something most people don't know about you.

Most people don’t know that I’m really good at math, science, Legos, reading, writing, dancing and dribbling a soccer ball. I’m especially good at writing my own songs.

The one person who has truly believed in you throughout your career.

My mom is the one person who has believed in me. Also my Nonno.

What was the most important lesson you had to learn as filmmaker?

I’m learning green screen now. It’s a lot of focus even to do some of the credits. It’s a lot of work to write the script, filming it and editing it. Scripts I can write pretty fast but sometimes I am working all day just on credits. 

Is it harder to get started or to keep going? What was the particular thing that you had to conquer to do either?

Might be a bit harder to finish my ideas cause then if it’s a feature film it could be harder to get a lot of ideas. In Bird in the Wild and The Wishing Fountain there weren’t that many hard parts. In The Wishing Fountain the days that we were filming there was a bit of sun so I couldn’t look at the fountain, and the fountain was the shot so it was hard to get the shot.

What keeps you motivated?

The thought of seeing my movie on a big screen! The fun of it keeps motivated.

How has your style evolved?

I want to make movies in all styles. Right now I’m working on a documentary about Los Angeles. I learn about styles every movie I make and by watching them. Having a new iPhone 11 to use now changes the style because the lense is clearer.

On set, the most important thing is:

The most important thing is the lighting. And that everybody is collaborating. It’s important that you have fun filming. 

The project(s) you’re most proud of: 

The project I’m most proud of is in my opinion Bird in the Wild because it was my first. Then I have The Wishing Fountain and the one I’m doing now. I’m also proud that I wrote a 20 page script. And I’m doing editing on I-movie all by myself.

The most challenging project you worked on. And why?

The most challenging project is the one I’m doing now about LA. I have to get shots from the moving car a lot and film homeless people even though I don’t want to.

What are your short term and long term career goals?

Short term I am a filmmaker and a director and I am that long term too. Right now I want to finish 3 scripts I’ve written. I want to be a writer and an actor. I want to have lots of animals. I’m building two film companies. Their names are Doozie Productions and Walt Doozie. I want also to do animation films.  I want to edit films and make lots of my own music. And travel.

Your next projects?

My next projects are a documentary about LA, and a series of Doozie films which are also books. I’m also writing a screenplay with my mom that will take place in Italy.