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-Since I was a
little kid, specially after seeing 'DON'T LOOK
DOWN (1973)', 'WESTWORLD (1973)' and 'PHANTASM
(1978)' , those films marked me.
Did you see yourself making horror films?
- I saw myself making films period, I did have a
preference for horror films though.
I understand you worked as a crew member for some
horror films like 'Curse of the
Puppet Master' and 'Watchers
Reborn'. Were you hoping for your
big break while working on these films?
-Imdb does not list all of them, I did a
lot more of those!, I actually worked mostly in
commercials for years, the films came by
accident, I wasn't waiting for a big break, I
just wanted to shoot, whatever it was.
You
were cinematographer on 'Andre the
Butcher'. This was almost a
bigger step for you. What was the environment
like working on set of that film?
-The
funny thing about the indies I've done is that I
would come from a million dollar TV commercial
into a $50,000 feature, the change of pace and
style is so different, but you have to energize
your crew and go for it..
In indies like that one, there is no equipment,
sometimes no lights!, but having nothing makes
you think more, makes you better at your craft.
My goal was to make it look good, sometimes you
can, sometimes you can't, I wish we would have
had more money on that show. But I was satisfied
with that film, Phil Cruz is a great director,
full of energy, talent and imagination.
Now your big breakthrough was
'Delivery' which I must say I
enjoyed it. What inspired you to make it?
-I was
ready to make a film as a director, I had tried
succesfully to sell a script to the studios and I
was ready to go with that, but it all fell apart
a few months after, and I was itching to make
something that year. At the same time I had made
a bet with an italian producer in which I told
him I could make a film for $5000 (I was lying of
course), he gave me the cash and I had to go for
it!, it was a nightmare...but I made it happen,
thanks to my dedicated crew and great cast.
How did production go from start to finish on
the project?
-It was
hell, when there is no money....It is just a
matter of joining forces with people that care
and have ambition.
We had an initial crew of over 100 people, by the
end of the first week we had only 8 to 12 left,
by the last week we had about 4!
Was there any
familiar faces that came for the audition?
Not really, I was
new to the Orlando scene. The only person I knew
was Matt Nelson, who was an Assistant Director on
"Andre The Butcher".
Matt Nelson was so good as a disturbed psychopath
named Montgomery Goth. How did you find him?
-I worked
with him before, he was an assistant director,
and also a lighting instructor. This was his
first time acting, and I must say he gave it his
all. I thought he was perfect for this, big and
menacing but with a huge heart, a teddy bear.
Did you find it disturbing by directing him
yourself with him playing a put upon as it looked
so intense?
-Directing
him was easy, as he is very talented. in low
budget films the acting is usually awful, but I
was very lucky to have him. Professional, on
time, knew his lines, no fear. He was a positive
aspect of this shoot, the reast was hard.
What was he
like to work with in real life and how did others
really treat him?
-The
nicest guy in the world, everyone loved him.
Kind, humble, funny, the best.
Do you plan to cast him in your future horror
films as he can really go far?
-hell
yes!, in fact, he has a cameo on my latest film,
SECOND COMING. I would love to work with him
again.
Another talented blossomer was Tara Cardinal
playing the role of Bibi as you directed the two
of them terrifically in their roles. Did you
enjoy directing them together during their brief
romance together?
-I wanted
someboy beautiful and petit, a huge contrast, so
their romance could be funny and weird.
Kind of like Beauty and The Beast (sorry Matt!).
It worked great. Tara came at the last minute,
and it was the perfect choice.
Beautiful and talented, she is also producing
now, doing very well, watch out for her, she will
be huge!.
What
was their chemistry like in real life working
opposite of one another?
-From
what I saw, they hit it off right away. They
liked each other and were very professional.
I thought the chemistry was there...
Someone who did great as someone you'd love to
hate as an employer was Kevin J. O'Neill as Mr.
Hand. What was it like directing him?
-I was
honored to have him, as he was the cast member
with longest experience. One of the nicest guys
in the planet, talented and funny.
He also laughed at my bad jokes, so that was
great.
He photographs well, and has intensity, I worked
with him again in my last film. A joy to work
with.
You had a great set where there was lightning
during the electrocution scene. What was it like
doing that?
-That was
a nightmare, once again...no money. I originally
wanted to burn the house down, a huge climax,
kind of like De Palma's "Carrie". We
could not do this and we only had about 6 hours
to shoot the sorority girls dying. So I came up
with the electrocution scene. All I needed was a
little water and that was it. We used a couple of
hoses for all the rain scenes and one HMI light.
Was there a thunderstorm really happening
then?
-Nope
just a hose. The rest was lighting.
I understand it went to film festivals. Where did
it play?
-I knew I
wasn't going to hit festivals, but I sent it to a
few, we played in Miami and texas, we won at
Screamfest in Florida, part of the Freaky awards,
in Florida. Got Best Actor and Best Film. That
was cool.
Films like this don't get awards, horror doesn't
get any credit unfortunately, so it was nice to
get awards.
What kinds of feedback did you get from
viewers?
-When it
plays in front of a crowd, it always works.
What was your reaction when Warner Brothers
picked it up for a DVD release?
-Could
not believe it. I a film like this usually
gets no notice, specially one made for $4000. I
was happy, real happy. Got no money out of it,
but I was thrilled.
Is it selling nationwide and
available for rent in dvd stores?
-And it will be
woldwide soon!, as I am told.Yes, its is selling
pretty much everywhere on the net (Amazon,
Overstock, wallmart, target, etc).
Also available in stores like Best Buy, Movie
Stop and K-mart. Get a copy will ya?!
Now Monty wasn't proven dead. Will you make a
sequel to this film and will he return to it?
-I would
love to make a sequel!, LOVE IT, and yes Matt
would return.
Even though I am working on bigger films now, I
think directors should go back and forth between
high and low budgets. Definetely, 'DELIVERY 2-
Seed of Monty'. If anybody would like to fund it,
please call me (lol!)
You are busy working on a new film that will
be successful as well titled 'Second
Coming'. Although it isn't a
horror film it has horror elements to it. What is
the story all about and who stars in it?
-Julete reeves and the great Greg
Thompson star in it. It is basically a story of
revenge. it is about twins and how one is
murdered (Ashley) and the other one (Lora) sees
it in her visions, sending her into a journey to
find the killer. But there are also 2 other
sub-stories going on, pretty dense.
Very exited as the effects were designed by the
team behind 'Spider Man' and 'The Ring'. We also
got the editor that worked on 'Panic Room' and
'Fight Club'. It looks great and I am very proud
of it.
Will
this have a theatrical release?
-Outside
the country perhaps, as we don't have big stars
in it. But it should sell quickly and be
available in the US to everyone.
Now we were in discussion of having a part in
your next horror flick. Which film will this one
be?
-Projections,
is the name of the next film, I will definetely
call upon you when we start pre- production.
Who else do you hope to have in it? Possibly
Linnea Quigley since she resides in your hometown
of Florida?
- I am
hoping for Asia Argento (XXX) or Sienna
Miller (Layer Cake) . Going for someone with an
accent, European.
Now heres some fun stuff: What are your
favourite horror films?
There are so many, can't write all of
them all here, but I like:
LET'S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH (1971), THE THING
(1983), SCANNERS! THE SHINING (1980), MANIAC
(1980), DAWN OF THE DEAD, THEATER OF BLOOD
(anything with Vincent Price is cool with me),
The old Hammer horror films,etc. and the
occasional Chuck Norris film (I love cheese) the
new stuff I hate....it is all steadiCam' ed to
death, too many quick cuts, no atmosphere, it all
looks the same!, CRAP.
If you were a top horror filmmaker for a day
whether this person was alive or dead who would
you be?
- In general filmmaking: Sidney Lumet or
David Lynch, as a horror filmmaker: John
Carpenter or David Cronenberg. All these
directors do things their own way, I like that.
What project have you done that you wished you
could change?
-We all wish to
change things, there is never a completed project
in my mind...
What's you idea of perfect happiness?
-Playing
drums- making music, listening to a great tune,
drinking a nice cold one on the beach, being in
the "zone"when on a film set, getting a
great shot....so many things. But a night with
Angelina Jolie could be the perfect night for me
(..well, I can dream, right?).
What are your ambitions in life?
-To make
films films, music and love. And to learn from
great people. |
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