The show's almost on the road...Thursday is OPENING NIGHT!! While you wait, here's more interviews.

FILM TITLE: Nourishment by Marc Saltarelli

 

Please introduce yourself:

 

My name is Marc Saltarelli, an L.A. based filmmaker and editor.

 

What initially attracted you to filmmaking? How many films have you made?

 

I acted in some commercials as a child, so I guess that's where the seed was planted.  As soon as I got my hands on a home movie camera, I began making films with my friends. Eventually, my work got more sophisticated and I moved to LA to go to film school and I've been working on or making my own films since then.  Most recently, I directed a low budget horror feature, a documentary feature and 5 short films that have played in festivals and on TV.  When I'm not directing, I edit other peoples' films.

 

Did you go to film school? If so, where? 

 

I went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, followed by a stint at Columbia College in Chicago and then completed my film degree at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.    Several years ago I upgraded my technical skills with some advanced work at USC-School of Cinematic Arts.

 

Please describe your film in 1-2 short sentences.

 

At the local meal delivery service called Project Angel Food, Henry, a young, newly diagnosed HIV positive client is interviewed by Nat for service.  Nat becomes distracted by the ghost of his former lover who passed away six years ago.

 

Where did the idea for your film come from? 

 

The film was written by Tom O'Leary, who works at Project Angel Food (the film's setting).  I've also been a longtime volunteer for the organization.  Having lost many friends to AIDS, the message of the script had a powerful effect on me, so I had to make it. 

 

What was the biggest challenge you faced in making your film?

 

The location was the smallest space I ever had to work in and it was a challenge to get the shots I wanted.  Also, the film weaves in and out of reality and I didn't want to use any flashy effect tricks. . . so it all had to work with the edits. 

 

The one LGBT film that has had the biggest impact on me is: 

Parting Glances, so you can imagine how thrilled I was when Nourishment was selected to open for the revival of that film in Montreal at Image+Nation Film Festival.

FILM TITLE: Between Love & Goodbye by Casper Andreas

 

Please introduce yourself:

 

My name is Casper Andreas, I'm originally from Sweden but have lived in New York for many years. I started as an actor and I plan to do more acting but at the moment filmmaking takes up all my time -- and then some!

 

What initially attracted you to filmmaking? How many films have you made?

 

I have always been interested in story telling. I started writing scripts (while being a struggling actor in LA), which lead to a desire to direct. This is my third feature film. I have also directed three shorts.

 

Did you go to film school? If so, where?

 

Nope. I learned filmmaking by observing while on set as an actor or stand-in. I also read a lot of books and listened to director commentaries. Then I learned from doing it.

 

Please describe your film in 1-2 short sentences.

 

It's a drama about falling in and out of love for the first time. And the rocky road in between!

 

Where did the idea for your film come from?

 

I wanted to make a film about a passionate first relationship, and not being able to let go of it once it's over. I think many people who fall really hard for someone can attest to the fact that a piece of that person -- or the idea of that person -- will always be with them. I certainly had a few crazy experiences like that in my early 20s, as in all my writing the idea of the film was inspired by life.

 

What was the biggest challenge you faced in making your film?

 

Not enough money and not enough time shooting it. It was a very ambitious film to make with 133 different scenes. All in 18 days on a budget of $150,000....

 

What was the most satisfying aspect in making your film?

 

I think the most satisfying part was solving certain story problems during editing and see the finished product finally come together after a lot of hard work.

Are you working on a new film yet? If so, give us a brief description. If not, is there a genre or subject you are interested in exploring in your next project?

 

I'm working on a couple of things. I'm writing the script for Going Down In La-La Land, based on a novel with the same name. It's a dramedy about what an aspiring actor can and will do to get ahead in Hollywood. I'm also in talks about directing a gay movie musical. That would be fun!

 

The one LGBT film that has had the biggest impact on me is:

 

The Talented Mr. Ripley. Or maybe The Hours.

 

The most recent film I saw in a theatre was:

 

I'm in the middle of a theatrical release of my last film A Four Letter Word (that played NewFest last year) so that is the only film that I have seen in a theater recently -- at our LA opening last month.

 

 

FILM TITLE: Ciao by Yen Tan

 

Please introduce yourself:

 

My name is Yen Tan. I was born and raised in Malaysia but I currently live in Dallas, Texas. I work as a copywriter/copy editor for Neiman Marcus.

 

What initially attracted you to filmmaking? How many films have you made?

 

This is random, but I remember seeing Thelma & Louise, when I was 17 and had such an emotional response to the ending. I told myself right then, in this dinky theatre with rats crawling on the floor, that I had to pursue filmmaking. Ciao, is my second film. My debut was Happy Birthday. I contributed a segment to the omnibus film Deadroom, but that was not really considered my feature since it was a collaborative effort with three other directors.

 

Please describe your film in 1-2 short sentences.

 

An Italian meets an American after their mutual friend dies unexpectedly. They spend a weekend together coming to terms with their loss.

 

Where did the idea for your film come from?

 

I met Alessandro Calza in 2003. He's the lead actor and my co-writer of the film. We began corresponding online and developed the screenplay from some ideas I had. An in-depth account of how the film came about can be found at ciaomovie.com.

 

What was the biggest challenge you faced in making your film?

 

Raising money is the biggest challenge, like for most independent films. Once you go into production, then it’s the daily struggle of trying to maintain your cool and not losing your mind when things go wrong.

 

What was the most satisfying aspect in making your film?

 

The camaraderie I developed with some of my cast and crew was very satisfying. It's very reassuring to explore emotional content in a film and have them respond to it too. That's when I got the feeling that maybe things will turn out okay, despite all my doubt and insecurities.

 

Are you working on a new film yet? If so, give us a brief description. If not, is there a genre or subject you are interested in exploring in your next project?

 

I wrote a script years ago called Pit Stop that I may be developing again. It's set in a small town in Texas and revolves around the lives of two working class gay men in their forties. There's also Croon, which is another film I'm developing with Alessandro. I seemed to be drawn to humanistic stories and characters.

 

The first LGBT film I ever saw was:

 

Threesome, I was about to leave for college in the U.S. at that time (still very closeted), and I always wondered if I’d have Stephen Baldwin as my roommate. Sure enough, I was assigned to a Colombian version of that character. I wasn't in love with him however. We got along splendidly.

 

My top three all-time favorite films are:

 

Goodbye, Dragon Inn, A Time to Leave, and Tony Takitani.

 

The one LGBT film that has had the biggest impact on me is:

 

Wong Kar-Wai's Happy Together, I still watch it annually as a reminder why filmmaking is worth it, despite all the stress and heartaches.

 

FILM TITLE: Karl Rove, I Love You by Dan Butler (and Phil Leirness)

 

Please introduce yourself:

 

Actor/Writer/Homesteader.  I live in Vermont.

 

What initially attracted you to filmmaking?  How many films have you made?

 

I’ve acted in films for years.  This is my directorial debut in features – the story compelled me.

 

Please describe your film in 1-2 short sentences.

 

During the 2004 election, Dan Butler (“Bulldog” on Frasier) sets out to portray Bush’s White House advisor bent on bringing Rove down, Butler falls in love with him instead.

 

Where did the idea for your film come from?

 

Seeing Karl Rove in shorts.

 

What was the biggest challenge you faced in making your film?

 

Keeping my hands off of Karl Rove.

 

The first film I have memories of watching as a child was:

 

Sleeping Beauty

 

My top three all-time favorite films are:

 

Patton, Tootsie, Night of the Shooting Stars

FILM TITLE: Tal Como Somos (Just As We Are) by Judith McCray

 

Please introduce yourself:

 

My name is Judith McCray. I am a full-time filmmaker and television producer.  My independent production company is based in Chicago.

 

What initially attracted you to filmmaking? How many films have you made?

 

Making documentaries and media projects that address the human condition, open avenues for personal empowerment, and social justice is what attracted me to filmmaking over twenty years ago. I have been an independent filmmaker for eleven years and have made eight documentaries addressing social issues.

 

Did you go to film school? If so, where?

 

I have a B.S. in journalism from Northwestern University and a M.A. in political science from Rutgers University. I learned to make documentaries while working in public television program production. I taught documentary and television production for four years as an assistant professor at Southern Illinois University.

 

Please describe your film in 1-2 short sentences.

 

Tal Como Somos (Just As We Are) candidly portrays seven gay, bisexual, and transgender Latinos, the cultural ties that bind them, and the consequences they face for their sexual orientations. Challenging stereotypes, these individuals dare to risk everything for their truth.

 

Where did the idea for your film come from?

 

Over 15 years of research on stigma and Latino gay, bisexuals, and transgender persons by Dr. Jesus Ramirez-Valles, professor at the University of Illinois - Chicago.

 

What was the biggest challenge you faced in making your film?

 

Challenges emerged when parents, partners, and families had second thoughts or refused outright to participate in the film after initially giving consent. Only two parents were comfortable enough to voice important but seldom heard perspectives in the Tal Como Somos documentary. In addition, two Catholic churches in Chicago readily granted permission for filming on their premises but then rescinded their permission after further consideration of the subject matter of homosexuality.  One of the churches even approved the filming of a parishioner praying in the sanctuary, but later demanded that the footage not be used.

 

 

 

What was the most satisfying aspect in making your film?

 

When I was approached by Dr. Jesus Ramirez-Valles five years ago to direct and produce this film, I was captivated by the opportunity to demonstrate universal themes that would be heard, seen and felt by everyone.  While I am not Latino or gay, I knew that my experiences as an African American woman made me aware of how damaging prejudice, rejection and condemnation can be on one's acceptance of self.  As a filmmaker, I welcomed the challenge to visually demonstrate the cruelty and injustice of negative stigma, while showcasing the courage and love required to be true to oneself.  And what I loved best was meeting and getting to know our seven subjects, their families and loved ones as they unflinchingly shared themselves and their lives with me and my production team.

 

Are you working on a new film yet? If so, give us a brief description.

If not, is there a genre or subject you are interested in exploring in your next project?

 

No new film yet, but interested in topics concerning human rights and food and water sustainability/availability

 

The one LGBT film that has had the biggest impact on me is:

 

Tal Como Somos (Just As We Are)

 

The most recent film I saw in a theatre was:

 

Ironman

 

The last DVD I watched was:

 

The Butterfly Effect

 

FILM TITLE: The Secrets by Avi Nesher

 

Please introduce yourself:

 

From Israel.

 

What initially attracted you to filmmaking? How many films have you made?

 

Have written and directed 13 films, written and produced 10 films

 

Did you go to film school? If so, where?

 

Columbia University, majored in International Relations.

 

Please describe your film in 1-2 short sentences.

 

A studious, devoutly religious daughter of a prominent rabbi leaves home to attend a Jewish seminary for women, where she befriends a free-spirited, headstrong fellow student. When the pair encounter a mysterious, ailing foreigner with a disturbing past, the young ladies find themselves caught between the rigid male establishment they grew up in, and the desire to be true to themselves, no matter the cost.

 

Where did the idea for your film come from?

 

Met some of the young women who "talked out of school"

 

What was the biggest challenge you faced in making your film?

 

Shooting a very provocative movie in a very religious holy town.

 

What was the most satisfying aspect in making your film?

 

Working with Fanny Ardant and the brilliant and very brave young actresses.

 

Who or what are some of the creative influences that have had the biggest impact on you?

 

Buster Keaton, Howard Hawks, Jean Pierre Melville.

 

Are you working on a new film yet? If so, give us a brief description. If not, is there a genre or subject you are interested in exploring in your next project?

 

Creating a movie that allows a peek - a journey - into an inaccessible world.

 

The first film I have memories of watching as a child was:

 

 

 

Rio Bravo

 

The most recent film I saw in a theatre was:

 

Youth without Youth

 

The last DVD I watched was:

 

The Jackoabian Building

 

 

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FILM TITLE: Whirlwind by Richard LeMay & Jason Brown

 

Please introduce yourself:

 

Both Richard and I are New York-based filmmakers.

 

What initially attracted you to filmmaking? How many films have you made?

 

RL:  I became interested in filmmaking as an actor and then lost the acting bug to stay behind the camera.  I have produced and directed 3 feature films and co-directed a short documentary with Jason called MOVE.  JB: I started as an actor at age 3 in a dog food commercial, eventually turned to writing, directing, producing.

 

Did you go to film school? If so, where?

 

RL:  I did not go to film school.  JB: Yes – Boston University

 

Please describe your film in 1-2 sentences.

 

JB:  Whirlwind is a drama about a tight-knit group of gay friends in their thirties who have their lives upturned when a hot stranger with a bitter past enters their circle.  He first adds excitement to their routine but soon causes rifts among them, all the while letting his own relationships unravel around him.

 

Where did the inspiration for your film come from?

 

RL:  The idea for Whilrwind came about after a conversation about the lack of gay characters in their thirties in movies.  That escalated to a lot of “what ifs.”  Eventually we wanted to explore how men deal with life... or not deal with life... and the idea of gay men and women choosing who is their true family.  These characters are at times dysfunctional but in the end they’re all there for one another.

 

What is the first movie you remember watching as a child?

 

RL:  Death Wish.  It disturbed me.  JB: I remember being the back of my parents’ station wagon at a drive in – they were watching some film about a blimp and a sporting event, I was watching Karloff’s Frankenstein out the back window on another screen.

 

What is the last movie you saw in a theater?

 

RL: Persepolis  JB:  Iron Man

 

What is the last DVD you watched?

 

RL: Casino Royale   JB: Hedwig and the Angry Inch