Joshua Levine Producer /Director/Writer/Actor

 

Joshua Levine has over ten years of experience as a producer, director, writer, actor and brand marketer.

Levine was bitten by the youth culture marketing and branding bug at about the same time he seriously began to pursue his career inHollywood at the turn of the century. At Howell’s Imagewerks Youth Culture Branding Agency, Levine assisted in brand-building campaigns for the launch of Toyota’s Scion brand, Activision’s Tony Hawk Pro Skater video game franchise, and campaigns for nonprofit organization Keep California Beautiful, among others.

Levine’s acting career began in 2004 when he gained an array ofexperience working with other actors, directors, producers, andmanagers, while compiling extensive TV and film credits for My name is Earl, Gilmore Girls, Malcolm in the Middle, and Ryan Murphy’s Running with Scissors, CSI NY, and Banksy's film Exit Though the Gift Shop.

While acting, Levine served as Head manager of Mattie Management & Films, a company responsible for clients including Miara Walsh (Cory in the House Desperate Housewives), Emma Caulfield (90210,Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Darkness Falls), Alexa Havins (All My Children, Old Dogs, When in Rome), and Justin Bruening (Night Rider, CSI, All my Children), among many others. At Mattie Management he deepened his experience and expanded relationships in entertainment with casting directors, studios, networks, and distributors.. Levine is the founder of Mattie Films, a boutique film production company credited with indie smash hit Fat Girls, which won the Tribeca Film Festival JuryAward for Feature Films in 2007 and was purchased by Here TV for worldwide distribution. Levine went on to be the head of the TV/film dept for Jet Set Agency.

Levine now owns his own full service production company blackrockcityfilms.com our unique combination of professional market and production experience and insight to the values of the elusive youth consumer enables Black Rock City Films to create focused and authentic youth culture production and branding.

With use of alternative and traditional  production and marketing strategies and techniques. Black Rock City Films has a proven recipe for success in connecting their clients and productions with today's active youth culture.

What is the current project you are working on?

I'm just finished a hybrid talk show called "the party" http://vimeo.com/firstbureauofimagery its a super cool show with some great guests, now I'm working on two TV pilots and documentary about art cars from the burning man festival and working distribution for DPIO.

 Did you always want to be a filmmaker?

No I wanted to be a fireman when I was younger but then in jr high I was in the theater dept and it was all down hill after that lol so film and TV  was something I have always loved and wanted to be involved with.

What inspired you to become filmmaker?

My high school drama teacher.

 What is the best thing about being one?

Craft services lol no the best thing is the freedom you can have with shooting your own vision.

 What is the worst thing about being one?

DRAMA! so much its a juggling act of egos and feelings but its all small things compared to doing what you love.

What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?

20+

 Who is your favorite filmmaker?

Wes Anderson /Alejandro jodorowsky

 How has your life changed since you became a filmmaker?

Longer nights less sleep more time in front of my computer more red carpets.

 What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to make it in the movie business?

Patience and drive, and good projects.

What do you like to do besides filmmaking?

I love to work in my garden and my art studio.

Have you had any other jobs before you decided to become a filmmaker?

OMG! I have been everything from a paperboy to a zookeeper.

What are some of your favorite American films? Foreign films? Television shows?

Dark knight

El Topo

Modern family is pure gold writing and acting top notch!

How would you describe your film education?

Trial by fire...LOL

How would you describe the film "scene" where you live?

I'm all over the place but I'm writing this from my compound in San Diego so the film scene is very small in SD but its nice and underground.

 How has social media changed the independent film industry?

Yotally! It's a catch 22, but if you can use to your advantage then its a game changer.

What's your opinion on crowdfunding?

It's a good concept but could be to many cooks in the kitchen for certain projects.

What is the casting process like?

HELL! ha ha it could be long and boring but when you have good actors come threw that are solid and off book then its pure joy!!!

 How does independent film differ from the mainstream?

Less money way more work but more control so you have to choose the right battles on the mainstream side.

You could go back in time and see any classic film being made. Which film would it be and why?

Casablanca man the sets would be amazing!

 What's your favorite movie quote and why?

"I'm 10 min away will be there in 5"

 You could have any super power. What would it be?

Flying save so much time at the airport.

 What is your opinion on movie remakes?

It's good from the standpoint of the studios.

What is your opinion on book to movie adaptions?

It makes an investor feel more secure with their investments.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Come follow the film at the links below

The hilarious downward spiral of a frustrated woman's night as she tries to relax at home after a hard day. The short is elevated by surreal animation, cringe worthy what if scenarios and good fashioned T and A.

CREATOR/PRODUCER JOSHUA LEVINE

STARRING EMMA CAULFIELD,JOSHUA LEVINE,SELNA LUNA

DIRECTED BY FAMED CREATOR/DIRECTOR OF "MAXX HEADROOM" FARHAD MANN

ANIMATION BY TITMOUSE

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER EMMA CAULFIELD

PRODUCTION COMPANY BLACK ROCK CITY FILMS

http://twitter.com/#!/DPIOtheMovie

www.blackrockcityfilms.com

www.joshipop.com

http://pro.imdb.com/name/nm1726303/

http://fullyloadedthefilm.com/

http://FunnyOrDie.com/m/566g

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Thanks so much for doing the interview Joshua. I've never seen El Topo. I'll have to check it out.  I wish you all the best with "The Party", DPIO and your other projects.

Filmmaker Megan Doyle

After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, Megan Patricia Doyle created Patty Cake Films LLC to commit full-time to writing, directing and producing film. Her directorial debut “Private” (2012) will be screened at this summer at festivals around the world. Currently, Megan Patricia is in post-production for the children’s short film “Fistful of Sand” (2012), which she wrote and directed. She has recently become a resident of Brooklyn, NY where she is in the early stages of developing her first feature film

What is the current project you are working on?

Right now, “Private” is in the festival circuit. Meanwhile, I’m in post-production on my latest film “Fistful of Sand”.

What is the casting process like?

Referrals, referrals, referrals. I can’t say enough about asking film friends for referrals. That’s what we did and were lucky to have a very talented cast. On my most recent film, I was incredibly lucky to have a producer that was a casting director. Wouldn’t have found those superstars without her!

How do you handle rejection?

It’s apart of every job. I just focus on my next project. Each experience tends to get better. I’d like to think that I handle it well.

Did you always want to be a filmmaker?

Growing up, I wanted to be on both sides of the camera. When parents bought a digital video camera, I asked for the old one. I started with filming my dance choreography which eventually led to filming fake commercials, the Oscars, cooking shows, music videos, Miss Cleo spoofs, a TV pilot, and much more.

What is the best thing about being one?

It’s definitely sharing a story. Part of you as a writer and director is in every scene, in every shot. At the end of the day, it’s totally worth all of the blood, sweat, and tears for the project.

What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?

I would guess over 20+ projects. A lot of those were PA-ing.

Who is your favorite filmmaker?

Probably Otto Preminger or Woody Allen but I haven’t settled on one yet.

How has your life changed since you became a filmmaker?

My schedule has been a lot more flexible having graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. I write more often now that I have downtime.

What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to make it in the movie business?

Make it happen.

What do you like to do besides filmmaking?

Mostly Netflix instant, turntable.fm and drinking lots of iced coffee with just a little bit of cream. Right now, I’m in Film Programming the Rubin Museum of Art.

What are some of your favorite American films? Foreign films? Television shows?

TV shows: Breaking Bad, 30 Rock, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares.

American Films: Don’t Look Now, My Man Godfrey, Manhattan, Melancholia, All About Eve, and An American in Paris to name a few.

Foreign films: Elevator to the Gallows, Black Orpheus, and Lebanon.

Can’t get these movies out of my head! Love ‘em.

How would you describe your film education?

All hands on experience. I started PA-ing on local film productions a few years ago. I interned with the Austin Film Festival, then any indie film that would let me work on their project. I gradually more integrated into the Austin film scene and as I finished school. Plenty more for me to learn.

How would you describe the film "scene" where you live?

The Austin film scene is energetic and full of heart. So many talented people both behind and in front of the camera. I’d love to see Texas with more and bigger productions, giving more opportunities for crew and talent. Recently, I moved to New York so still learning the ropes of the scene!

What's your favorite movie quote and why?

The Beguiled (1971)

It’s the creepiest on screen kiss, as well as one of the greatest movie quotes:

“Old enough for kisses” –-Clint Eastwood as Corporal John 'McBee' McBurney to twelve year old Amy

It really sets the tone for the rest of this film.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks so much for having us! I had a blast! You can check out trailers of my films at http://www.pattycakecinemas.com/

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Thanks you doing the interview. I hope you will consider submitting “Private” to the New Hampshire Film Festival. I'd love to see the film and meet you in person.