Filmmaker Joe Davison

Joe Davison was born in Zephyrhills Florida on November, 14th 1975. Joe left the small town of New Port Richey and moved to Tampa, Florida in 1996. There he performed Improv comedy with several other comedians. With them he started "Beat the Dead Horse," a rogue Improvisational comedy troupe that played local comedy clubs and bars. In April of 2003 Joe moved to England with his wife Jori, there he worked closely with the Cambridge Film Makers Network and produced four short films and created an everlasting friendship with Carl Homer, a renowned composer. Joe moved back to Tampa in 2005 and started the Tampa Film Network (with fellow film maker Chris Woods), and his production company Pop Gun Pictures. The Tampa Film Network is a community organization to help independent film makers achieve their goals by providing them with connections to equipment, cast, crew, and locations.

What is the current project you are working on?

Currently I'm working a few projects. First, is Dead Buzz, written and directed by Johnny Brajdic, a very different take on the zombie apocalypse. It's a pilot episode for a series we want to do titled “The Dark Hours”. It'll be very Ray Bradbury and Twilight Zoney. Each episode will be  a stand alone. We haven't really toyed with the idea of having reoccurring characters just yet. Second, is Journey into Hell, a 1950s styled crime noir horror film. Think The Thing meets Maltese Falcon. It's a groovy piece for sure. Plenty of scares, blood, and action. Journey stars Alex Vincent [Childs Play], Clint Glenn [Flesh Keepers, The Quick and the Undead], and Deneen Melody [Slices of Life, Western X]. Then theres a few short films I'm producing locally. And a music video I'm directing.


Is a sequel planned for "As Night Falls"?

Originally there was a ending that was going to lead up to a part two. But, with budget constraints we had to cut it down to like three shots. So it really just seems silly. But, maybe we can bring the gang back. I wanted to have Lily Cardone character [Holy Croft] dragged to hell at the end of the film and Elizabeth [Deneen Melody], Otto [Dwight Cenac], and Charlie [Myself] go in after her. The premise was to fight through demons to get our sister back. This still might happen maybe. We'll see.

How do you measure success?

Gradually. With each new film I achieve I try and learn from it. I'm always making mistakes that I can learn from. In the beginning they were quiet substantial mistakes. Not so much any more. Simple, little mistakes. And as I progress through the learning curve I always find that I'm enjoying it. But, I measure it with the amount of crew I work with. It's always the same group. They are always there for me. Us. They're there for us and the project.

How do you handle rejection?

Listen, I grew up as fat kid. So, getting rejected happened a lot!! When you're making a film rejection is easy. If some one says no. Then so be it. You move on. It's when they say yes and hand you a check does it really start to become troublesome. Yes means, oh shit now we have to work and prove ourselves to this guy. When it comes to rejection I would prefer a flat out no we're not interested instead of a three week or three month drag a long while some one thinks about investing or continues to make insane request. Brokers are the worst. “So, you need 2 million, Well, get us 200 thousand and we can get you 2 million!” If I had 200 thousand I'd just shoot the damn movie. Some people just don't understand the need and want to make a film.

Did you always want to be a filmmaker?

No. I wanted to be a comic book artist. I wanted to draw for Marvel or DC or Darkhorse or Image or anyone. I would draw all day long. Pages and pages of comic stuff. Unfortunately back in my day it wasn't a 10^th of as cool as it is today to  be a geek. I was always drawing Silver Surfer or Spider Man or Wolverine or The Ninja Turtles. Anything and everything I could. I remember once I wasn't allowed to enter into a school wide art festival because my art teacher thought I traced all of my pictures. Douche. LOL! But, with directing I can draw my own story boards and that's huge plus for me. I love to put the concept to page in comic fashion.

What inspired you to become filmmaker?

I was reading comics and watching horror films on the weekends with my buddy Todd Brown, and he and I would draw some wicked stuff. But, I didn't get into film making in 1996ish. That was two years after I graduated high school. I met this guy who was doing improv and I started doing improv comedy on the weekends. That lead to acting, the acting lead to film. I eventually began taking my scripts and putting them to picture. Now, my art work was in motion. With actors that is. I had also been writing all my life. Since I was in like fifth grade. I use to write little short stories for my mother. Mostly about Vampires and Werewolves. No. Mine didn't sparkle. I just want to tell stories in any medium and hope the the reader or viewer is interested in what story I'm telling.

What is the best thing about being one?

I love film making. Being a producer is such a rewarding experience some times. Other times you want to slam your face into a rack of rusty kitchen knives, but that comes with any business I guess. I would have to say the best thing about being a film maker is dedicating you life to art and hard work. If you don't mind getting muddy and bloody sometimes this is the job for you! I can't think of anything else I would rather do. I can't do anything else. I don't know anything else. I barely know how to do this. LOL!

What is the worst thing about being one?

Broken friendships. You lose a lot of friends making films. Egos can crush you as well as everyone you love. So, I try really hard not to have an ego. So, I try helping everyone I can who is working on a project. I want everyone to have change to succeed and make the best project they can make. I feel bad because some of the guys I really want to work with I can't quite afford just yet on some projects. So, you can't bring them on because you can't pay them enough. And everyone deserves to get paid what they're worth. No matter what they do for a living.

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

Man, somewhere around fifty, I think. Between, commercials, sketches, short films, features, and music videos. I've never really tallied them all up. I just keep my head down and working hard.

Who is your favorite filmmaker?

Kevin Smith. He has built up a Smuniverse between his movies, touring talk shows, and smod cast he really knows how to bring in his audience and he can identify with them. He doesn't mind being self deprecating. And he's a great film maker. Not all his films are block busters but he never started out to be the next Brian De Palma. Now, for a guy who makes mostly horror film I understand that Kevin Smith is a far reach for me but he has a continuous track record on an independent level. He knows his audience and enjoys his own films. Now, I'm a fan of Sam Raimi, Peter Jackson, James Gunn, and of course guys like Richard Donner, Ridley Scott, Stanly Kubrick, Gore Vorbinski and Wayne Kramer. [These larger then life action guys] But, Kevin Smith could have his own amusement park based on his world.


How has your life changed since you became a filmmaker?

I'm busier more now then ever and that's a good thing. But, not much has changed. Still have to walk the dogs, Hunter and Lucky. Hunter is a lab and Lucky is a Beagle. And I still have to make sure the wife is happy. But now I can go to work and watch actors get covered in blood all day or I can story board the afternoon away. I never really have a day off. I might actually get to go on a cruise soon, but that's to shoot a horror film on boat. So, it's  really a vacation.

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

Work hard. If you've never made a film get in with the local film community and help out there first. In Tampa Chris Woods and Myself founded the Tampa Film Network about six years ago. An online community that helps lndie film makers find tools, equipment, locations, directors, producers, and actors for their projects. Now, it's run by Dan Brienza and has about 1700 members from the bay area. Find one of these networks and start on the ground floor. If there isn't one create it. Www.tampafilmnetwork.com


What do you like to do besides filmmaking?

Video games. A lot of video games. If I'm not working on a novel, script, or film 'which is rare' I just want to go kill something and veg out for hours. I actually have a video game concept in the works. It's an RPG first person shooter. Just a huge open campaign. I really want to meet the right people to get that off the ground.

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

Well, even as I was making films I was waiting tables at Chili's, or T.G.I. Friday's, or [insert name here]. I got fired a lot because I was willing to shoot all night and not give up on film. I had a manager once tell me “Why don't you give up this film making nonsense and just work here? You'll never reach Hollywood.” I guess at this point she's right but I can't help but abuse myself and risk everything all the time.

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

Hmmmm... well, American Werewolf in London should cover all that. American Beauty? Born in East L.A.? Captain America?! No. Just kidding man! The Thing is one of my all time favorite movies ever. Jaws. Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Now would “The Professional” be considered American or Foreign? Evil Dead. The Legend of Duey Cox. Long Kiss Goodnight. So many.

Foreign is a little tougher. District 13. Let the right on in. A Better Tomorrow. The Host.

T.V.; Modern Family. Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Tales from the Dark Side. The X-Files. Ghost Hunters. Destination Truth. River Monsters. Ancient Aliens. Anything on the history or discovery channel or Food Network.

How would you describe your film education?

Nonexistent. I learned on set. Honestly. When we started making films there really wasn't schools for it. Sure, you could try and get into UCLA or The New York Film Academy or NYU for film but for a guy like me from Ocala, FL with no knowledge of film making? That wasn't going to happen. So, we just started doing it ourselves. Shooting on old VHS recorders and editing VCR to VCR. Now there are Canon 5d Mark twos and T2i's and 7ds out there. You can shoot a feature in about two weeks. I've done it. Twice! In the beginning I learned the hard way. Just like when we were doing improv.  It was all hands on. But it was the need to know. I wanted all the knowledge I could get. I read a lot of film making books, those don't help. Impractical solutions written by guys who never made a film. It just took me going to every short film shoot I could find and being a slave for weekend. I wish I could have gone to Full Sail University or NYU for sure. But, now I get to teach the kids coming out of there, who are all talented the old ways. It's funny to see the look on their faces sometimes. “What do you mean you didn't use an iPad to regulate your lights?”


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

In Tampa Bay Area its awesome! With the community out reach system like The Tampa Film Network, recently changed to the Florida Film Network because we have over 1700 members. We have a weekend film school and teach everything from script writing to lighting. We bring in A-Listers to teach things like Cinematography and Directing. Recently we have combined our efforts with Indian film community and are now trying to connect a nice bridge between the two communities. We're really want to help them bring Bollywood into Florida.

How has social media changed the independent film industry?

It's made the indie-stream into a river that's for sure. Now it's even more easier to get noticed. The use of ipads and other digital devices that can access the internet at a moments notice has allowed many independent film makers to take advantage of resources such as Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, and various other media sites. Promotion has almost doubled with the use of Facebook pages, likes, Fan Pages, event planning, and the ability to purchase ad space directly on Facebook. Other sites like Flicklaunch has dedicated themselves to distributing films directly on line. If the proper film distribution site comes along it could do for the indie film maker what iTunes did for the garage band.

What's your opinion on crowdfunding?

Indie go-go comes to mind. I haven't really tried the crowdfunding aspect. I did a small video to help raise money for a book series about two years ago and it never reached its goal. I haven't been back to try again since. I think that it is an obvious solution to many companies, events, charities, and independent films. Using a cross marketing scheme in association with Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter crowdfunding can help us little guys successfully raise enough funds to complete indie feature films. Me personally, I like to sit down with one or two investors and plead my case for funding. I like to know our investors. I want them to know me. I want them to know that I'm going to work as hard as I can and do as much as possible to create the best product I can. And that I will give them a return in the future.

How does independent film differ from the mainstream?

Independent and mainstream only differ in budget size. Each offer quality film makers, actors, producers, and directors. The only difference is funding. Mainstream Hollywood will produced a 40 million film where as an indie film maker will produce a 40 thousand feature film, with less equipment, cast, and crew, but the heart is there. I feel that in both cases it's all heart.


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

Goonies! For sure! I would love to see all these young actors working together on a giant adventure. Pirate ships, and gangsters! I would want to learn from Spielberg and be there first hand to watch the producing side of things. Organizing the ship and the water slide sets and that giant octopus. I would turn the thing into a study hall for myself.


What's your favorite movie quote and why?

When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail."- Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China.

First of all. I love Big Trouble in Little China. It's a fast witted action fantasy with flying ninjas, gods of elements, Lo Pan, and two girls with green eyes. It's amazing and Kurt Russell was in his prime. Simply amazing. I wish they would have had made a part 2. I swear one day I get a pork chop express tattoo. Also, there was the geeky fan boy rumor going around that Jack Burton was a Brown Coat, you know? From Bukaroo Banzai. And I always wanted to see a movie where Bukaroo and his gang met up with Jack Burton and they battled some crazy 30 foot tall monster. And for those kids out there reading this and you've never seen either of those films go out and rent them or better yet buy them. You will watch them over and over again. Trust me!


What is your opinion on movie remakes and sequels?

Sequels yes. Die Hard series, Mission Impossible, Sherlock Holmes, Iron Man, are all okay.  Remakes no. I mean they just did a re-imagining of Spider Man and it's not even cold yet. Sam Raimi did a great job with the films. Regardless of what happen between him and the studios. But, to just go out and make another one shortly after the last one with a new cast and crew is ridiculous! Then they remake Friday the 13^th, Nightmare on Elm St, The Hills Have Eyes, and every frigin' foreign film to hit the market! And for the most part poorly. I mean why remakes? Because they know there's a built in audience and they need a positive cash cow for the summer. But it take some one like Peter Jackson four studios turn downs to get Lord of the Rings made.


What is your opinion on book to movie adaptions?

Comic Book movies don't count so sometimes yes. But, mostly no. Time Line was the worst movie adaption there is. I love the book. It was awesome. But the movie sucks so bad and it's a Richard Donner film. I mean WTF mate? And The Stand was a horrible adaption as well. But then there's Green Mile, extremely well executed. Harry Potter is a prime example of proper movie adaptions. Yes, they don't have everything in the films and they add a little for the movie but they're about spot on for the most part. The Jurassic Park series was interesting. This part was in the second book but first film, but this part was in the first book second film. I understand that sometimes they take the best of all of it and try to make one movie because they assume that's all they're gonna get. Until that film breaks box office records and they decide to another film. -see above question- [he laughs].

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you so much for the opportunity and I had a blast.

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Thanks so much for doing the interview Joe. I saw "As Night Falls" and think it's awesome. I hope there is a sequel.  I also love  "Big Trouble in Little China". I will be renting "Bukaroo Banzai" in the near future. You should check out the book "Three Weeks With The Goonies".

Dave of Dave's Travel Corner

Dave is an International travel writer who has been writing professionally since 1996. He is a member of the International Food Travel & Wine Writers Association and the North American Travel Journalists Association. California raised, he co-founded a collegiate Solar Racing Team which designed & built a solar car from scratch. He runs a website promoting currently undefeated WBA World Super Middleweight champion, Andre Ward ( www.andre-ward.com)  is involved with VinoVisit (a reservation service for wineries) and is a partner in MyVideoVisa.com, a new online personal travel video sharing site.

His latest endeavor is The Napa Wine Project (www.napawineproject.com ) which has taken more than 5 years to date and is expected to be an initial 8-10 year project that involves wine tasting at all Napa Valley commercial wine producers. He has personally visited, tasted & reviewed 650+ commercial Napa wine
producers to date. His first book titled 'The Freeways of Los Angeles' was published in 2010.

He enjoys the outdoors, writing, photography, mountain climbing, meeting people, the Internet and experiencing other cultures. What could possibly combine all these varied interests....why, travel of course! Dave is most at home in Bangkok, Los Angeles, the Napa Valley or California's Eastern or far Northern Sierra Nevada mountains. Contact: http://www.About.Me/davestravelcorner

What is the current place you are traveling to?

Every winter my wife and I visit her country (Thailand) for at least 6-8 weeks. This year we are leaving in two weeks for a short stay in Thailand and then continuing to South Africa and Botswana for all of January and will visit Ethiopia before heading back to Thailand. Neither one of us enjoys cold weather - and not only is this not only an opportunity for us to "warm" up - but to visit her family as well, and use Bangkok as a hub to visit other regions.

What is your thought process like when you're writing an article?

I try to make an article interesting - my writing usually takes two forms - free form which is more journalistic in style and guide book type writing where I'm highlighting where I stayed, what I ate, visited etc - to create an itinerary for someone who wants to visit the same region. My free form journalistic writing is mostly for myself and my guide book writing is to help others. Since most of my articles are online - aside from trying to make my own writing engaging for the reader, I also try to include video and photography.

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

To immediately place myself anywhere on the planet. This of course would eliminate the "journey" but at the same time logistical nightmares that invariably crop up with International travel, not to mention jet lag!

How do you define success?

I define success as a lifestyle - its not necessarily monetary in nature although having enough money for a comfortable but no extravagant living is important. It is a lifestyle where I follow what makes me happy and at the same time help enrich the lives of others.

How do you handle rejection?

I immediately pound one of my fists through the wall! No seriously, I deal with it and move on. I try to find out the reasons for the rejection. I don't have time to dwell on negativity.

Did you always want to create your own company?

No. Growing up I had no idea I would be in business for myself and or involved in a variety of interesting projects. I thought I would get a 9-5 job and work for someone else. I met someone during college who turned me on to trying new things, foods, culture, experiences etc and that broadly opened my horizons. My passions and interests never integrated with office work.

What inspired you to create "Dave's Travel Corner"?

I took a life changing trip to Nepal in 1996. It was the first major International trip that opened my eyes to a non 'western' culture and way of living. I began writing a journal while I was on the trip and it was my notes from this journal that became the foundation for Dave's Travel Corner. I also became deathly sick from food poisoning and altitude sickness while trekking up to Everest Base Camp and had to be carried down in the dark in the middle of the night on the back of our guide's shoulders. He left me with a woman in a stone hut (she also descended with us) where I promptly filled up a large bowl by throwing up all night. It was frozen solid in the morning and I was so weak I could not stand up or walk.

The lady had a backpack with her as well as my small pack. She would carry both our packs ahead on the trail some distance, drop them down, come back for me, pick me up and hang me from her back in a crudely fashioned sling we made from one of the sleeping bags and then carry me further down the trail past the backpacks, drop me off and repeat it again. This happened all day until we finally reached a low enough elevation where I could get some help, lie down and recover.

What is the best thing about traveling?

For me it is exploring. Whether it is going to countries that do not see a lot of tourists, or visiting places I have never been before. This can be both in rural environments or in big cities. I'm very comfortable in both situations. I also enjoy interacting with "locals".

As one of my favorite singers, Don Williams says in one of his songs:

"Well, I love to wander ... On a sandy shore And I love to wander ...Down the streets of towns I’ve never been before".

What is the worst thing about it?

Jet lag, getting sick, getting taken advantage of.

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

As far as projects that have meant something in my life - somewhere near 20 or so...ranging from a solar car, to Internet work to travel to video to wine.

How has your life changed since you started your company?

It has given me the flexibility to work for myself and create my own hours. Part of my work can be done anywhere in the world as long as I have an Internet connection. I would love to be entirely "location independent" but some of my projects require I be at home. A travel writer must travel - and this career has certainly opened up trips perhaps I otherwise would not have taken.

What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to start their own company and/or travel?

It takes time and be prepared to put in long hours. However, if its a passion then the long hours almost become irrelevant for a number of years. Be persistent - talk to those who are already doing what you want to do. Pick their brain. Find out what works and what doesn't. With that said, experience is still a good teacher. Make mistakes and learn from them.

What do you like to do when your not working?

Work and play have almost become integrated for me. However non work activities include mountain biking, gold mining (it is California after all!) and the rare trips where I take a break from writing. I love the mountains so if things get too crazy I drop everything and head out for some camping for a few days. Every year I love just "being" in my wife's small village in Thailand. This involves doing a lot of "nothing" or a little bit of something - usually helping in the garden or shopping for food in small nearby markets.

We didn't have land line phone service or Internet in the village until two years ago. It was nice to be able to take a break from this. I was just at the Biltmore in Santa Barbara yesterday and was reminded of how busy and fractured people's lives have become even during meals. I was surrounded by people eating who weren't talking to each other but rather were sitting at a table with each other engrossed in their respective phones or the film producer talking on a phone the entire time while his guest sat at the table buried in his own cell phone. The Santa Barbara Biltmore is certainly not a bad place to be - especially on a clear warm day with beauty of the Channel Islands lingering just offshore.

Have you had any other jobs before you decided to create your company?

Other than odd temporary jobs when I was in high school and college, no.

What are some of the most dangerous places you've traveled to?

I drove out to the Iraq border a few years ago from Kuwait City - an area where trucks had been attacked or bombed in prior years. Security was fairly adamant about getting me away from the border as soon as possible. Parts of Eastern Kenya on the coastline felt a bit dodgy (north of Mombasa) - especially with men patrolling the beaches all night, armed with machine guns. I was in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire before the violence earlier this year and parts of the cityat night certainly felt unsafe.

Have you ever been hurt while you were traveling?

I haven't been hurt physically - but I've gotten altitude sickness and food poisoning many times while traveling. Both are terrible and completely disrupt a trip but at least you do recover.

How does independent film differ from the mainstream?

From my limited perspective I think Independent film makers can take more risks than those making traditional mainstream Hollywood produced movies. Independent film makers can also appeal to more niche audiences than a Hollywood film which in my opinion is focused entirely on the bottom line. It becomes a big business. Hollywood is a massive business. When I'm driving in Los Angeles I always wonder what percentage of people driving next to me are involved somehow in the entertainment industry. When you have huge amounts of money involved I think compromise becomes key - and perhaps the Hollywood film director may not always have the final say or be allowed to express their own creativity throughout the film.

You could time travel to any ancient city? Which one would it be and why?

Giza during the construction of the great Pyramids. I visited the pyramids for the first time last year and was amazed at just how huge these are - especially taking into account that they were the tallest "buildings" for 4000 years! I would have loved to have seen the process first hand of how these were built and the sheer effort that went into constructing these.

Do you believe in life on other planets?

Yes. There are too many stars and planets in our own galaxy and all the other galaxies in the universe for it to be otherwise - and at our period in history our perspective and knowledge is probably the size of a neutron in relation to the entire universe. We know its big - just how big is it really? This can become complicated real fast.

What's your favorite quote and why?

This one happens to be my own:

"Ownership of most things is overrated. Ownership of worldly experiences is not."

Is there anything else you would like to add?

John - thanks for reaching out to do this interview.People can connect with me on twitter @davedtc - or through my travel site, Dave's Travel Corner - www.davestravelcorner.com

Actor And Filmmaker Marion Kerr

Marion Kerr is an actor and writer living in Los Angeles, CA. She was born in Sacramento and majored in theatre at U.C. Irvine and studied in London. She's appeared on "How I Met Your Mother" and pilots for ABC and BRAVO as well as Sabi Pictures' "Heart of Now" and "I F*cking Hate You". She currently appears in a national commercial for Hartford Insurance and recently completed work on three short films. She was also a regular on the award-winning web series, "Vlog Star". She studied filmmaking at the New York Film Academy and and made her writer/director debut with the award-winning feature film "Golden Earrings." For more info about Marion, visit www.marionkerr.com.

What is the current project you are working(and/or promoting)?

I just finished working on a short film called “LINES” about the Bronte sisters, Emily & Charlotte Bronte. Emily wrote “Wuthering Heights” and Charlotte wrote “Jane Eyre”. It was written by my sister, Vivian Kerr and I played Emily and she played Charlotte. It was a real challenge to make an indie film that is also a period film filled with costumes, props, locations, etc but we ran a successful Kickstarter campaign in November and luckily hit over 200% over our goal with nearly 100 backers which made it all possible. A very fun shoot and I look forward to seeing the film. You can see a small sneak peek on set of the film here: http://youtu.be/72D89vU0XYo

What is the casting process like for a director vs being an actor?

It's really just being on the other side of the table. I've been an actor for awhile and standing on  one side of the table auditioning 2-3 times a week (if it's a good week), so I'm very used to being over there and giving the director my take on his/her story. I've only been on the other side of the table maybe 7-8 times, and while it's always fascinating, it is a bit strange because I SO feel for each and every actor that comes into the room. I know exactly what's going through their head. But honestly, it is similar in so far as the goal. I want to see them relaxed and  focused and ultimately, see their take on my story.

Do you find it's easier to direct actors because your an actor yourself?

I think communication is one of the biggest challenges in life and on a set and that is not necessarily any easier for me than for any other director. I think the difference is that I know my audience, so to speak. Not just being an actor myself but having friends that are actors, I'm aware of the inherent struggles in what actors do and potentially what they could be nervous about. I couldn't say that for say a DP. I'm not a DP. I don't have a lot of DP friends. So I'm not sure precisely what their fears are stepping onto a set. So I'd say, yeah, actors are one of the easiest people on set for me to talk to but I still face the same challenges of any director of getting the performance I want through how I communicate and that's always a challenge.

What was the "emotional environment" like on sets you've been on?

It really runs the gamut. Luckily, I've yet to see a director completely wig out on me, but I've been on sets that are both incredibly hostile and sets that are nearly like family. I've been on sets that are “cold” meaning no one seems to have any connection to the work that we're doing or sets where everyone is so involved and so passionate, perhaps occasionally to the film's detriment. I've started working on TV in the past couple years and I always marvel at what a machine it is. Not necessarily in a bad way, but they have to make a lot of show in a very short amount of time and you're really expected to get on with it, which I sort of enjoy. But obviously, passionate and highly focused sets are always preferred.

If someone dared you to drink pickle juice would you do it?

Of course. I'm a child in many ways.

What's it like working with Zak Forsman?

Well, my answer to this will be biased as I consider Zak a friend so talking about him purely professionally is a bit hard. But to be succinct, he's one of my favorite directors. He is very focused, passionate, aware of the big picture as well as the scene at hand, observant, trusting, willing to take risks & willing to tell you if that risk didn't work out. He also casts extremely well so you're always working with people that add a tremendous amount to the story and are wonderful to work with. He's definitely someone everyone should have their eye on.
How do you handle rejection?

I just try to forget about it because it happens so much in my business that any other way would just kill me. And honestly, actors don't get parts for many reasons, very few of which are in your control. So if I see every time I don't get a part as a rejection of me as an actor, then I've personalized something that may have nothing to do with me. Also, I've now made a habit of forgetting about an audition as soon as I walk out the door. Which for some auditions are really hard, especially if you feel you could have done better. But if I forget about it, then I'm not hurt if it doesn't work out and if I get a callback or the job, then its a pleasant surprise. Though it does lead to the problem where I get a callback a week later and it takes me a few hours to remember what the heck I did in the audition. :)

What is your thought process like when you're writing?

A balance between structure and instinct. I think I write on instinct in terms of pages and then go back and try and put it together in terms of structured story-telling. I very much put myself in the shoes of my characters and try and see the story from their eyes as much as possible. I try to say the words out loud a lot to see if anything sounds false coming out of my mouth. I think dialogue is very hard as far as not making everyone sound like you the writer or make everyone sound interchangeable. That's the biggest challenge for me anyway. So I'll write like 20 pages in a night sort of on instinct and then go back and look at it structurally. Is the point of this scene being accomplished? Does it wander off or take too long for no reason? Is this where I should be at this point in the story? I work from a  rough outline usually but a big thing for me is to find the surprises along the way. Either as far as a character or plot point. Just something that sort of unfolds from the story as I'm writing it that was not planned at all. That's one of the things I enjoy most about writing. In the doing of it, it sort of becomes its own creature.

Did you always want to work in the entertainment industry?

Pretty much. I wrote down when I was ten (which my mom kept) that I wanted to be either an actress or a journalist when I grew up. And honestly that's still pretty much true today. I think that's where the writing comes in for me. I've always loved writing and telling stories, so some form of story-telling was always in the works for me. My grandparents were journalists and they inspired me greatly in terms of writing. And I saw a lot of theatre growing up with my parents, so I was very aware from a very young age of actors and the power they had over an audience.

 What inspired you to become a filmmaker?

I have a tough time calling myself a filmmaker, honestly. I've made one feature and a few shorts so I've definitely dabbled in that world but I think to call yourself a filmmaker, you have to have a real commitment to it. I have that for acting and writing but I don't need to direct a film every year. And I met so many people while doing my festival run for “Golden Earrings” that are SO passionate about filmmaking and being a filmmaker that I always feel a bit disingenuous giving myself that title.

However, the things that inspires me to make films are the same as writing and acting. Desire to tell a story. “Golden Earrings” is something that had sat with me for awhile and I had always wanted to make it and suddenly the stars aligned in a way that made it possible, so I took the jump. Not really knowing totally what I was getting to. The world of features is VERY different than the world of shorts. And doing the festival thing as a director is VERY different than doing it as an actor. But it was a tremendous learning experience and I met so many wonderful people along the way, it's definitely been a highlight in my education in this industry.
What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?

Oh man, I have no idea. As an actor, I think I have 20-something credits on IMDB but I've certainly done projects that never ended up on IMDB. I've probably done about 20 or so plays as well. Not really sure. Definitely not enough to satisfy this girl, though. :)
Who is your favorite actor and why?

I think I was 11 when I saw my first film with Katharine Hepburn in it and I became completely obsessed with her. I collected over the years about two dozen biographies on her and read every single one cover to cover. She became my favorite actor and probably still is to this day but I can't exactly tell you why. I'm sure the obvious similarities were part of it. We were both tomboys, grew up very independent and very close to our families. We were both leaders in the sense of spearheading “productions” by essentially forcing friends and family members to perform in plays, films or whatever else we fancied. But I think as I grew up, I admired more her determination, her uniqueness, her confidence and her willingness to take risks as a performer. She never seemed afraid to fail. And when she failed it was in a big studio film for millions of people to see in an industry that does not reward failure. But yet she failed. Many times over. And yet she continued to succeed also. Many times over. And I think there's a bravery in that which gives me a lot of inspiration.

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

I live in Los Angeles so it's pretty much the epicenter of the film scene. Everyone, even people not directly in the film industry, are very savvy about Hollywood and know who everyone is and what they've just done and what they're doing next. There is an amazing amount of independent film here, as well as studio films of course. You could really see a new film every night and still not have seen everything that came out that year. It's crazy and sometimes overwhelming. But I love film so I'm really so lucky to call L.A. home and to have the opportunities that I have to see so many amazing films on every level. There are obvious downsides when it comes to producing a film in LA because everyone is so savvy, but as a film lover, I don't think I could ask to live in a better city.

How has social media changed the independent film industry?

I think it's made geography nearly irrelevant. We are all much more aware of each other and can see each others work regardless of where we live. Facebook and Twitter has allowed me to meet SO many filmmakers from all over the world and see their work and talk to them about it. I recently saw a test screening of a feature film by  Minnesota filmmaker Phil Holbrook, who I would never have even known about much less gone to his test screening without Facebook. So, it's a great tool as far as connectivity goes. It has down sides as well and can be a total time vampire and suck away your creative energy if you allow it. I also think online relationships are no substitute for sitting down with a person in real life but I think if you are disciplined about it, it can be a really effective way for filmmakers to get their work out there.

What's your opinion on crowdfunding?

Again, my answer to this will also be biased, as I've had my own Kickstarter campaign and recently helped my sister with hers. But as with social media, I think its a wonderful tool. I think it's a good filter to see if people are really interested in your project. I think it makes you ask a lot of  questions about your project such as how to market it, etc before your film is even made, which is great. I just think you have to really understand what crowdfunding is before you launch your campaign. I did my Kickstarter campaign  2 years ago so for me, my biggest problem was explaining to people what Kickstarter was and getting them to see that it wasn't a scam and understand the all-or-nothing element. Now, Kickstarter is much more popular and many people have heard of it or used it so the goal now becomes how do you separate yourself from the pack. Why should people contribute to your film rather than the dozen other Kickstarter campaigns floating around Twitter? Kickstarter is not a bottomless well and I think the road is littered with the failed campaigns to prove it, so I think taking time to explore others campaigns and read interviews from successful campaigns can really help people use Kickstarter in the way its designed for – to help you kickstart your project.

What is your opinion on movie remakes and sequels?
I totally get it from a financial perspective. Built-in audience, story/characters that are already written and proven popular with audiences, easier marketability, etc. However, artistically, I don't understand remakes at all as I have yet to see one that has added anything to the original film. Not one. Granted, I've only seen a handful of these films but each one, even if the movie was well made, well-acted & entertained me, I still walk out of the theatre feeling like it was pointless because I TOTALLY ALREADY SAW THIS MOVIE 20 YEARS AGO. So even if you did a “good job” unless you're really adding something substantial to it, it's pointless because it was already done. And now there are so many, it just deadens you. I like a good disaster film as much as the next guy but a few years ago when there were like 3 volcano movies, 2 tornando movies & a ton of “people-running-through-streets-as-buildings-crumble” movies, I just stopped getting any thrill out of it. It's not even amusing. You just kind of want them to stop. I guess that's how I feel about the remakes.

What is your opinion on book to movie adaptions?

I think it's a terrific challenge because they are such different mediums. But the ones I've seen successfully done, the movie is definitely different than the book but in a way that compliments the original story. It doesn't wildly veer off but there are different emphases so it's sort of like watching two versions of the same story. I see so much of what I read in visual images in my head so I've always wanted to adapt a book to a film because I think it's such an interesting challenge. I hope one day to be able to.

Author Jay Taylor

What is the current project you are working on?

I am focused on Book 2 in the Majick Series titled THE WAR OF MAJICK. It takes place a few years after Book 1, THE RISE OF MAJICK. The world has shifted further into relying on majick and technology is now a relic from our time.

How do you define success?

That's a good question.  For me, when it comes to writing, I think success is having put together a string of words that ring true when you read them. So it can be as simple as a sentence or as complex as a series. And if you are lucky, the thought resonates for a good piece of time after the reader has read it. That's success.

How do you handle rejection?

I try not to let it discourage me. Most of the time I am successful. Other times, it just sucks and I hate that I was rejected. I always try to find the valid reasons for rejection and I attempt to correct them. But sometimes, the valid reasons don't exist and you just have to accept it and move on. No reason to sulk about it or kick yourself. Dwelling on it won't change it.

Did you always want to be a writer?

I was always creative. I was focused on painting, sculpting and drawing when I was young. I didn't see writing as a creative process because I disliked the formal education I received in reading and writing. It was all structured and no creativity. I was forced to read books I didn't like and many times, they were books below the level I read on my own.

When I was in the Army I didn't have time to paint or sculpt. When you are living in a tank for weeks at a time (months even) painting is not something you can easily manage. I started writing short stories and making plots for adventures. Then it took off from there and I fell in love with the whole process.

What inspired you to become a writer?

I wanted to share my stories with other people. I was amazed with the worlds writers created for us. I wanted others to feel the same way about the worlds I created.

What is the best thing about being one?

I can spend hours inside my own imagination and that's a lot more like play than it is work. It's what I enjoy. Also, having people laugh or cry when reading something I have written is amazing. In that moment, I connected with them in a very personal way and I may not even know them.

 What is the worst thing about being one?

The fear. Any time I share something I have written, I am afraid it will fall flat. I'm afraid it isn't good enough or clear enough. There's almost as much fear as there is excitement, at least there is for me.

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

Worked on or completed? I have worked on more than I could count. I probably have a few hundred files in my "Stories" folder on my Dropbox account and nearly all of them are incomplete. I have completed about a dozen. Most of those are short stories. I have a couple novel length projects in there. But THE RISE OF MAJICK is the first work to be available for public consumption.

Who is your favorite author?

I could say Steinbeck because I really like his stuff and it sounds good to do so. But that would be a lie. I have two. Stephen King is one I really love. Check out my Goodreads.com profile and you will see that. But the other is an unpublished author, Eric White. He is working on some stuff and when he is ready, the world will be amazed.

How has your life changed since you became writer?

I don't think it has changed much yet. Let's revisit this after I sell  three or four hundred thousand copies.

 What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to be a writer?

Sit down and write. When you are done, write something else. After three or four projects, go back and read them in order. Now write something else and then rewrite it a few times.

What do you like to do besides writing?

I enjoy playing video games with my kids, watching movies and brewing beer.

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

Yes. I was an M1A1 Tanker in the US Army. I have been in sales. Spent time doing IT support at a helpdesk. Most of my career has been in the management of IT and Customer Service and Support. I wrote during all of these phases and still am in Management for my day job.

How has social media changed the publishing industry?

I think it has made the small community more tightly connected. I feel it has made the independent author and publisher better capable of striking out and having a hit. I also think the biggest changes are yet to come.

What's your favorite quote and why?

"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." – Henry Ford

Because it is true.

What is your opinion on book to movie adaptions?

Most of the time they screw up the book. However, there are times they get it right and then it is a great experience.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks for taking the time for this interview. The ride is just beginning and I appreciate the boost.

Author Chuck Barrett

Chuck Barrett, a Florida native, grew up in Panama City. A graduate of Auburn University, Barrett is a retired air traffic controller of over 26 years experience and veteran commercial pilot and flight instructor spanning over three decades of flight experience. In his flying career, he flew mostly air ambulance with the occasional charter and business flights thrown in the mix.

Barrett’s first writing experience was drafting labor agreements. He started writing fiction in 1998 in his spare time. His first novel, The Savannah Project, was released in March 2010. This thriller interweaves his aviation expertise, a long-held passion for writing and a keen sense of suspense. In 2011, The Savannah Project became an award-winning novel, winning awards in ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Award, International Book Awards, and Reader View’s Reviewer’s Choice Awards.

He resides in Northeast Florida with his wife, Debi.  If you would like to know more about Chuck and his work please visit http://chuckbarrettbooks.com
What is the current project you are working on?

I am currently working on the third in the series with protagonist Jake Pendleton. By the close of the final scene in The Savannah Project, Jake was left in a state of confusion. His life and nearly everything about it had just changed. The Toymaker, slated for release on February 14, 2012, picks up where The Savannah Project left off. Jake is still struggling until he meets his new mentor—then things really take off. Jake's character grows in The Toymaker as the story progresses so now, for my work-in-progress, Jake is his own man and ready to get caught up in another tale of mystery and intrigue.


How do you define success?

 Success is what you make of it. I've sold thousands of copies of The Savannah Project in less than two years. That means thousands of people have bought and read something I wrote and I continue to get tons of emails from people who say they're now going to buy and read everything I write. I see that as being successful. If your idea of being successful is totally focused on money, then your robbing yourself of something vital…and you may end up robbing your readers. Of course, it is nice when the money comes as well.


How do you handle rejection?

 Why do auto manufactures make so many different model cars? Because everybody has different tastes. Same thing with readers. I write thrillers, a lot of people don't like thrillers…and that's okay. I had emails and reviews that were awful. Fortunately the overwhelming majority of my emails and reviews are positive. If the bad reviews and emails are tastefully done, then maybe there is something they said that can help me improve my writing. If it's just a rant, I treat it that way. Everybody is entitled to his or her opinion.


Did you always want to be a writer?

 No. It never even crossed my mind until after I was 40, then it just hit me. At first, I just talked about it until a good friend persistently encouraged me to do it. And finally I did…it took a long time to crank out that first book, but now it's out there and number 2 is about to be and number 3 will be available by October of 2012.

What is the best thing about being one?

 Becoming totally engrossed in a world of murder, mystery, and mayhem. I never know where I'll be next.

What is the worst thing about being one?

 Becoming totally engrossed in a world of murder, mystery, and mayhem. It's amazing how many things get neglected when I'm writing a new story. It's hard not to become lost in that fascinating new adventure.


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

Counting my work-in-progress, 3. I have no education or formal training in writing; it has all been basically self-taught. I do have experience in technical writing, mostly labor agreements though. After I started writing The Savannah Project, I realized I had a lot to learn, so I rewrote and rewrote and rewrote. Writing is a craft you can never be too good at. And it takes plenty of practice to learn the craft.


Who is your favorite author?

 I don't have a single favorite author but I have been influenced by the writings of so many in one way or another. I write what I like to read and that is thrillers, so the styles of different authors have influenced my style…to name just a few: Steve Berry, David Baldacci, Harlan Coben, David Morrell, Lee Child, Brad Thor, Michael Connelly…the list could go on!


How has your life changed since you became writer?

It has put in front of so many wonderful people, readers and fellow authors alike. The interaction, whether through email, social media, or face-to-face, has been such a wonderful experience.


What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to be a writer?

 If you want to write, then write. Keep writing and don't listen to the naysayers. The more you write, the more you'll enjoy it and the better at it you'll become.


What do you like to do besides writing?

 Outdoorsy stuff! Hiking, fly-fishing, boating, and scuba diving are my favorites. And along with flying, I like to add a little of those things in my stories. For my work-in-progress, I had to take a quick online course in mountain climbing, so I'd have a clue what I was talking about. Now I'm going to have to really climb a mountain—it sound like fun.


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

 I have been a commercial pilot and flight instructor for over 30 years. I was an air traffic controller, from which I am now retired, for 26 ½ years. Now I write full-time.


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

 I tell you what I'll do here; I'll tell you about an old movie that influences my writing. It was a sleeper in the theaters but it was still a fast-paced spy thriller. No Way Out with Kevin Costner when he was very young. The twists were great and the action non-stop—at least it seemed that way back then because there had been nothing quite like. The predicament Costner found himself in was compelling and the end twist—awesome. As far as television is concerned, I don't watch a lot of it but I do like two programs—total opposites too—and that's NCIS and The Walking Dead. Weird, huh?


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

 A dungeon! My wife and I picked an upstairs room that offered a gorgeous view of the lake to be our office. But the windows face south and if we don't keep the room darkening shades closed, the room turns into a furnace—I'm sweltering, the computers are overheating, and I have to turn on the a/c when it's cold outside. Not good planning on our parts. So the room is dark, can't see the outside, and I have stuff (research material for book) spread all around me. What a mess—HELP, I need an office makeover!


How has social media changed the publishing industry?

 In a world where publishers are all but completely cutting out advertising and marketing budgets for all authors except the biggies, the remainder have been forced to foot the bill to promote their own work. With social media, the bigger the following and the more the interaction with those followers can be turned into sales. Interact a lot and promote a little. It's almost like a pyramid scheme for promotion.

What is your opinion on book to movie adaptations?

 We've all read the book that was better than the movie. We've seen where the book and movie diverged at some point and we felt cheated. So what! Authors and filmmakers are in the entertainment business. If an author sells the movie rights to a book it's still win-win. When the rights are sold—more money for the author by the sale of the rights. When the movie comes out, book sales rise and as a result—more money for the author. Who loses? If an author doesn't like what a filmmaker wants to do with the story, DON'T SELL THE MOVIE RIGHTS! I say bring on the offers.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Writing is not easy; at times it's down right hard. But when you see the final product, it's worth it tenfold. The biggest thing is don't quit. If you enjoy writing, then write.

For the readers out there, If you like thrillers—man, I have some stories for you. If you don't, that's okay too, because there are so many wonderful authors out there writing good stories. You're bound to find some excellent authors writing what you like to read.

Norman Yeung: Actor, Writer, Director, Painter

Norman Yeung works in film, theatre, and visual arts.

As an actor, Norman’s recent film and television credits include a supporting role in “Resident Evil: Afterlife” (Sony/Screen Gems), a series regular role in “Todd and the Book of Pure Evil” (SPACE/CTV), and a role in “Rookie Blue” (ABC/Global).  Films he has written and directed include “Marnie Love”, “Hello Faye”, and “Light 01², which have screened at international film festivals, on Movieola Channel, Mini Movie International Channel (Europe), and on Air Canada. He was Second Unit Director on “The Tracey Fragments”, a feature film directed by Bruce McDonald. He is currently writing “Anne Darling”, “Rowds”, “Scabs”, and “Margaret Loses Her Daughter”.

Plays he has written include “Pu-Erh”, “Oolong”, “Theory”, and “Lichtenstein’s an 8: A New Formula to Quantify Artistic Quality”.  “Pu-Erh” premiered in 2010 at Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto and was nominated for four Dora Mavor Moore Awards, including Outstanding New Play.  “Pu-Erh” was a finalist for the 2009 Herman Voaden National Playwriting Competition, receiving an Honourable Mention.  He was a member of the 2011 Tapestry New Opera Composer-Librettist Laboratory. He is featured in the book “Voices Rising: Asian Canadian Cultural Activism” by Xiaoping Li.

He has painted in public and not-so-public spaces since 1993. His graffiti and urban art can be found under bridges, on freight trains, behind warehouses, in transit tunnels, and on living room walls, from New York City to Brisbane. He has exhibited his work in such venues as Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto), Art Gallery of Mississauga, Board of Directors (Toronto), and curcioprojects (New York City). His painting and illustration clients include LVMH, Bruce Mau Design, National Film Board of Canada, MTV, CBC, and many more. He was featured on CBC Radio 3¢s “MAKE: Next Generation Canadian Creators”, CBC’s ZeD TV, MuchMusic, MTV, and in numerous publications and documentaries.

He holds a BFA in Acting/Theatre from University of British Columbia and a BFA (Honours) in Film Studies from Ryerson University. He was born in Guangzhou, China.

To learn more about Norman and his work you should visit the following sites:

www.normanyeung.com

www.tinyurl.com/normanyeungpage

www.normanyeung.blogspot.com

www.twitter.com/normanyeung

What are the current projects you are working on?

At this time, Season 2 of “Todd & the Book of Pure Evil” is airing in Canada on Space.  Season 1 is also airing in Canada on Much Music and Comedy Network, in the U.S. on FEARnet, in Germany on VIVA/MTV, and in Scandinavia on TNT7.  Probably in other countries, too.

www.toddandthebookofpureevil.com

www.spacecast.com

I play Eddie the Metal Dude, a badass with luxurious hair who wants  nothing but destruction.  Eddie and Satan are best friends forever, cracking jokes about losers while we pass the blunt.  We, the Metal Dudes, help unleash the Book of Pure Evil upon insecure teenagers in a Satanic town, and anyone who uses the Book will get their wishes granted, but limbs get torn and guts get spilled. It’s a horror-comedy that all kids over the age of three should be watching.  We’ve got a great cast that includes Jason Mewes as Jimmy, a janitor with some dildo skills who might be the Metal Dudes’ biggest pain in the ass.

I’m also busy writing plays and working on the libretto for a short opera.  Opera’s fucking rad, and a very very new interest of mine.  I’m also writing screenplays, one of which is a short film that I intend to direct next year.  Writing takes forever, man.

 

Which do you prefer acting, writing, directing, or painting?

All.  But at different times.  Whatever excites me at the moment is what I focus on, but I aways return to the other discipline and then back again.  It’s like rotating crops: one discipline informs the other and when you let one lay fallow for a bit, you’ll return to it with new vigour and clarity.

Some of my greatest influences are multi-disciplinary artists.  Look at John Cassavetes: one of the most important filmmakers who’s also an Oscar-nominated actor.  Look at Sam Shepard: one of the most important American playwrights in recent history who’s also an Oscar-nominated actor.  Most actors would sell their Botoxed souls to get anywhere near an Oscar, let alone make “Faces” or write “True West”.  Look at James Franco, Crispin Glover, Miranda July, Robert LePage, Don McKellar, Douglas Coupland, Jean Cocteau, Andy Warhol, Vincent Gallo, Julian Schnabel… my list goes on.  David Byrne.  How can you fuck with David Byrne?

How do you measure success?

Dying with no regrets.  …Oh wait, that’s how I measure happiness.  …Success… I don’t know how to measure success but I can say this: Don’t measure.  At least not against others.  We “creative” people have a terrible ego problem and it’s like this: As soon as you feel like you’ve succeeded, you realise the next guy has succeeded more.  And as soon as you feel like shit and your abilities have forsaken you, you forget that there are others who view you as a success.  It’s like we’re all leap-frogging over each other, taking turns being “successful”.  I have no fucking idea how to measure success because success is subjective.  I do know one thing: You are your own journey.  Don’t pay too much attention to who’s running alongside you because you will trip.

How do you handle rejection?

Guinness.  Pabst Blue Ribbon.  Labatt 50.  Labatt Blue.  Rolling Rock.  Yuengling.  Hacker-Pschorr.  Get angry.  Löwenbräu.  Put that anger into my work.  Kilkenny.  Work harder.  Old Milwaukee.  Assess what happened.  Brooklyn Lager.  Learn from it.  Birra Moretti.  Move on.

Did you always want to be involved in the arts?

I wanted to be a paleontologist, then a chemist, then I turned twelve and art took over.  But I’ve been drawing and writing stuff ever since I could hold a pencil.

What inspired you to become become involved with the arts?

Death.  I was twelve-years-old and visiting New Zealand with my dad.  We were watching TV in our hotel and “Twins” came on.  Half-way through the movie I realised that people are gonna remember Schwarzenegger forever, but who would remember me? I was getting old, I mean, I’m twelve and what the hell had I done with my life? Nothing.  So I forced myself to get into acting.  At first it was a naïve desire for fame, but as I matured, it became all about legacy.  I want my work to live longer than me.



As an existentialistic twelve-year-old, acting became my first professional pursuit.  It was the first thing I took seriously as a career and I fell in love with the craft, never mind all that fame shit.  All the drawing and writing that I did before twelve… I guess my inspirations were Archie, Batman, Wolverine, Kitty Pryde, Captain Britain, The Punisher, WildC.A.T.s, Tin Tin, Asterix… I also read a lot of novels as a kid.  I credit my sisters.

For filmmaking, it all started when I walked by the Pacific Cinematheque in Vancouver when I was seventeen.  They had a poster for their complete retrospective of Ingmar Bergman, and the image was Max von Sydow playing chess against Death.  I stared and thought, “I guess you can say something with cinema.  I wanna do that.”

What is your writing process like?

I do almost all my first drafts with pen and paper.  Absolutely illegible, always Bic black.  Then I transcribe the writing into my computer, making decisions along the way so essentially my first typed draft is actually a second draft.  I give it to a dramaturge or story editor or someone whose opinion I value.  I make a lot of notes.  I slot those notes into the existing draft and then write the next draft.  Sometimes I’ll let a draft sit for weeks or months while I go work on something else, go live some life, go clear my head, before I start the next draft.  Repeat this process over and over until nothing more needs to be cut out (revising is often trimming or slashing), or until the director says, “Yo, you done? We gotta put this on stage/start shooting in three days.” If it’s a play, I’ll likely still revise after the production.  Don’t we always look back on our work and think, I can make it better? When are we ever done? When we’re dead.

I prefer writing first drafts with pen because of the tactility, the immediacy.  I want a physical connection with my writing.  For screenplays I do my first drafts right into the computer because of the formatting.

How has your life changed since you became involved with the arts?

Way more babes.  Just kidding.  I’m not a musician.

What do you like to do besides acting, writing, directing, and painting?

Um… I watch a lot of hockey.  I eat a lot of salad.  Love salad.  But I don’t like crunchy shit in my salad like croutons and I’m not too fond of nuts and seeds.  Just vegetables, please.  I also have a huge appetite for music that would make most people go, “WTF OMG you call this music ROTFLMFAO!”

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

Not to be pretentious but I’m gonna mostly list filmmakers ‘cause that’s how I approach my viewing.  I’m a big nerd.  Nerds and lists go nicely together…

American (or English-language): John Cassavetes, Maya Deren, Stan Brakhage, Spike Lee, Jim Jarmusch, Hal Hartley, Atom Egoyan, Quentin Tarantino, Mike Leigh, Woody Allen, Arthur Lipsett, Norman McLaren, Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Lynne Ramsay, “Kramer vs. Kramer”, “Dog Day Afternoon”, “Citizen Kane”, “Pulp Fiction”, “The Brown Bunny”, “Control”, “Drive”, “Wild Style”, “Style Wars”

 

Foreign: Ingmar Bergman, Michelangelo Antonioni, Yasujiro Ozu, Federico Fellini, Satyajit Ray, Akira Kurosawa, Wong Kar-Wai, Jia Zhang-Ke, Zhang Yimou, Hou Hsiao-Hsien, Agnes Varda, Jean-Luc Godard, Eric Rohmer, Francois Truffaut, Jean Renoir, Carl Theodor Dreyer, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Ermanno Olmi, Pedro Almodovar, Roman Polanski, Michael Haneke, Lars von Trier, “La Haine”, “A Taste of Cherry”, “Cinema Paradiso”

 

 




Television: The Golden Girls

How would you describe your education?

Worked for years at an art house cinema.  Spent half my life in cinematheques.  A fun day for me was scouring the Vancouver Public Library’s excellent collection of VHS tapes of foreign and classic cinema.  Spent half my life in theatres watching plays.  I have a BFA in Acting/Theatre and a BFA in Film, but the real learning comes when you practise your craft.  Formal education only supplements the making and doing.

How has social media changed how people perceive the arts?

I wanna talk about YouTube.  And MySpace and the other things that helped Justin Bieber, Lily Allen, Russell Peters, and others to get noticed.  First of all, our attention spans have become nil due to the internet, and we have patience only for snippets.  I’ve only recently checked out Chat Roulette, which is very unsexy, but it’s also analogous to how we use the internet.  We give everything half-a-second of our attention, realise it’s yet another ugly penis, then click away to an uglier penis….  How do you make someone give you more than half-a-second? Well, on YouTube and MySpace and stuff, you make music or make people laugh.  Music and comedy can be instantly engaging, and after you’ve heard one verse or laughed at one punchline, you’re hooked.  And then you tell everyone on Facebook and Twitter.  And then that musician and comedian and sneezing panda cub go viral.  Boom.  Celebrity.  Social media goes hand-in-hand with music and comedy, and clever stuff, and oooh!-and-aaah! stuff, and weird images, and sexy images, because they are instantly engaging and quickly gratifying.  The pay-off comes very fast: three minutes for a pop song, fifteen seconds to tell a joke, one second to look at a cool picture.  Social media doesn’t seem to work for long-form narrative drama.  How would Rohmer fare on the internet? Narrative drama requires time and investment from the viewer, but the internet is grooming us to crave shorter and shorter. Twitter isn’t helping.  140 characters and everyone’s trying to be the next Oscar Wilde.

For the record, I have absolutely no problem with Bieber, Allen, Peters and others who got noticed from the internet.  In fact, I admire them because of their tremendous talent and ability to harness technology.  Their careers fascinate me.

What's your opinion on crowdfunding?

Smart.  Brilliant.  Ingenious.  Exciting.  I’ve donated.  I’ll probably use it in the future.  One issue I could see, however, is donor fatigue.  If you work in a discipline that requires box office, like film and theatre, then you’re already asking people to pay to see your work.  And if it’s independent, you’re probably gonna do some kind of fundraiser where you ask people to support your developing work with money.  So, you’re asking your same circles of people for money once, twice, thrice….  You don’t wanna exhaust your circles every time you have a new project.  I guess crowdfunding gives you access to people outside of your circles – the entire world – so maybe I’ve already answered my concern.

How does independent differ from the mainstream?

I used to be the biggest snob and my tastes could be deemed by some as pretentious.  The film had to be subtitled and the music had to be a post-punk/no-wave band that no one’s heard of.  My perspective was kinda like, the more obscure it is and less money it makes, then the higher the artistic quality.  But my opinion has changed since working on “Resident Evil: Afterlife”.  I learned that the amount of care by everyone – cast, crew, company – was overwhelmingly high.  You do take after take until you get it right.  You don’t move on until you’ve got it.  Yes, it could cost a lot of money but that’s what the money is there for.  The challenge for the independent artist is to achieve high quality with limited resources.  The challenge for the mainstream artist is to maintain personal vision amongst a sea of people telling you what to do.

A mainstream, commercial film could make tons of money back because it resonates with a huge population.  It’s a powerful thing to be able to make millions of hard-working folks part with $15-$20.  That power, that attraction, interests me, and I’m learning from it.  The independent artists – myself included – shouldn’t neglect mainstream tastes because we can only learn.  Even if we personally don’t want to make mainstream work, we should at least be cognisant of our relationship to an audience: what they want and what they don’t want.  If anything, those artists could then go fiercely against mainstream ideals because they have a better understanding.  If anything, take the money from working on mainstream productions and put it towards your own projects, whatever your voice.  Snobbery ain’t cool, although it is kinda cool.  I only listen to rap that’s from before 1998.

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

“The Passion of Joan of Arc”.  To watch Dreyer guide that sublime performance out of Falconetti would be… so… uh… Can I say “I have a boner” on your blog?

What's your favorite quote and why?

Jack Palance in Godard’s “Contempt” says, “When I hear the word ‘culture’, I bring out my cheque book.” Why? Because it’s dope.

Author Terri Giuliano Long

Terri Giuliano Long is the bestselling author of the novel In Leah’s Wake. Her life outside of books is devoted to her family. In her free time, she enjoys walking, traveling, and listening to music. True to her Italian-American heritage, she’s an enthusiastic cook. In an alternate reality, she might be an international food writer. She lives with her family on the East Coast and teaches at Boston College. In Leah’s Wake is her debut novel. To find out more about Terri  and her work please visit the links below:

Website: www.tglong.com

Blog: www.tglong.com/blog

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tglong

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tglongwrites

PRAISE FOR IN LEAH’S WAKE

Susan Straight, National Book Award Finalist, author Take One Candle Light A Room

“Terri Long’s accomplished first novel takes the reader on a passionate roller-coaster ride through contemporary parenthood and marriage. It’s sometimes scary, sometimes sad, and always tender.”

Margot Livesey, author of Banishing Verona and Eva Moves the Furniture

“I felt I knew these characters better than my friends and neighbors. In Leah's Wake is a beautifully written and absorbing novel."

Holly Robinson, Contributing writer, Family Circle, Parents, Ladies’ Home Journal, author of The Gerbil Farmer’s Daughter: A Memoir

" By turns howlingly funny and achingly sad, the book details the vivid, harrowing journey of a fragile family that unravels – and finds redemption – thanks to a teenager’s rebellion. In Leah’s Wake is an irresistible read.”

Jennifer Donovan, Managing Editor 5 Minutes for Books, Top 50 Book Blogger

“There are no quick and easy solutions here for Leah or for her parents. They . . . pulled me right along as I continued to make comparisons to my own life.”

Susie Kline, Blogger, Motherhoot

"As a mom, I felt what Zoe felt. It tore my heart out to see the promise of a child being replaced with the nightmare of reality… I’m adding Terri Giuliano Long to my list of authors I want to be stranded with."

Monica Madsen, Blogger, A Mother’s Touch Bookshelf

"I give In Leah’s Wake 5 stars and recommend reading to anyone with tweens. Although it is fiction, this book can be a great reference for parenting teenagers."

Haley Stokes, Blogger, Triumphal Writing
In Leah's Wake is beautifully written, haunting, fascinating, and a book that has a lot to say, a lot to teach you, without getting preachy.

What is the current project you are working on?

I’m currently working on a psychological thriller with a historical twist.

Nowhere to Run takes place in the White Mountains in northern New Hampshire. A year after the brutal murder of her six-year-old daughter, Abby Minot, formerly an award-winning writer, accepts her first assignment—a profile of the philanthropic Chase family, kin of the popular New Hampshire senator and presidential hopeful, Matthias Chase.

In her initial research, Abby glimpses darkness under the Chase family’s shiny veneer. Digging deeper, she uncovers a shocking web of lies and betrayal, dating back to the nineteenth century. Abby soon finds herself trapped—between an editor obsessed with uncovering the truth and the town and family who will stop at nothing to ensure it stays hidden.


How do you set your book apart from other books in the genre?


In Leah’s Wake, my debut novel, tells the story of a family in collapse. Sixteen-year-old Leah, a star soccer player, has led a perfect life. When she meets a sexy older guy, attracted to his independence, she begins to spread her wings. Drinking, ignoring curfew, dabbling in drugs—all this feels like freedom to her. Her terrified parents, thinking they’re losing their daughter, pull the reigns tighter. Unfortunately, they get it all wrong, pushing when they ought to be pulling, and communication breaks down. Soon, there’s no turning back. Twelve-year-old Justine caught between the parents she loves, and the big sister she adores, finds herself in the fight of her life, trying desperately to pull her family together.

This is a quiet story about an ordinary family in disarray. The multiple points of view – that of the local police officer, as well as each family member – make it unique. Because In Leah’s Wake is very much about community and the need for greater communication – the way each person witnesses an event is distinct and subjective - the stories often overlap. These, I think, are the key differentiators.

What is the best thing about being a writer?

I’m passionate about writing. I enjoy every aspect of the process, from the initial burst of inspiration through the painstaking, sometimes frustrating, months or years of revision. Most exciting - that aha moment, when the work suddenly comes together, you understand what you’re writing about, and the relationships among the various scenes and chapters suddenly make sense.

What is the worst thing about being one?

The worst is marketing my work. To succeed, whether indie or traditionally published, authors must take responsibility for marketing their work. While I enjoy reaching out and connecting with people, I’m uncomfortable with calling attention to myself. The solipsism that can attend self-marketing turns me off.

For six months after publishing In Leah’s Wake, I did no marketing at all. Not even my parents knew that I had published the book. Naturally, I sold very few copies. Realizing that I could either market or watch my book die, I held my nose and jumped in. With my publicist, Emlyn Chand, I’ve developed (I hope) fun, creative marketing activities – games and contests, for instance – that give back to participants. I’ve also given away over 500 eBooks. This builds name recognition without me tweeting or posting about my book 24/7. I think people appreciate this. I also try to support other authors. Reaching out to people--building connections and enhancing relationships--makes marketing enjoyable.

What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?

Believe in yourself. To deal with rejection, boot your computer, day after day, when it seems as if no one cares, the stars are misaligned – to indie publish in a world that still privileges the traditionally published - you have to believe in yourself.

Writing is a lonely profession. Most of the time, we’re alone with our work. That loneliness can wear on you, and cause you to question yourself.  A community of caring writer friends, supporting and encouraging you, can make all the difference.

Hold onto your dreams. You can make them happen. Don’t ever give up!

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

Before focusing on fiction, I wrote news articles, edited technical articles for trade magazines, and wrote marketing and web copy. I’ve also taught writing for 16 years – so I’ve worked on countless projects. In Leah’s Wake is my first novel; Nowhere to Run will be my second full-length fiction project.

What do you like to do besides writing?

I’m a passionate traveller and foodie. My husband, Dave, and I have had the good fortunate of visiting many beautiful, interesting places. I love ethnic foods and I’m fairly gutsy when it comes to trying new dishes. In Beijing, a few years ago, we went to a tiny restaurant with two students. The restaurant was a local spot and the menu was written in Chinese, so our friends ordered for us. When the steaming bowl arrived, I dipped my chopsticks into the stew – and pulled out a frog. The head had been removed, thank goodness, but the body was fully intact. I realize that a lot of people eat frog; this was actually green. I thought Dave would gag when I ate it. To his credit, he didn’t.

I were not a fiction writer and teacher, I could see myself an international food writer.


Who is your favorite author?

I have many favorites. Anne Tyler was my favorite for a long time; one summer I read every one of her books. Although I didn’t care for her debut, I’ll read anything by Kate Atkinson. Harlan Coben’s books are my guilty secret. My favorite book of all time is The Road, by Cormac McCarthy - I am in awe.
I admire the short story writer Andre Dubus. Dubus wrote haunting, insightful stories about real people. I memorized the end of “A Father’s Story” for a graduate class; years later, I still hear the rhythm and cadence of his language. Jessica Treadway, recipient of the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction for her latest collection, Please Come Back To Me, writes gorgeously evocative stories. Both authors are, in my view, grossly under-appreciated. It feels terribly wrong that such luminous work reaches the hands of so few readers.

What are some of your favorite books?

This is another tough question - it’s really hard to narrow the list.

The Road, by Cormac McCarthy is my all-time favorite. This powerful novel transports us to a gray, post-apocalyptic world, where humans have been reduced to animal instinct--for inhabitants of this new world order, murder and cannibalism are a means of survival.

Within this harsh environment, McCarthy gives us a tender, elegantly rendered father and son. In their travels, near starvation, they meet terrible challenges and hardships, yet they face every one with dignity and grace. Near death, the man says to his son: "You have my whole heart. You always did.” That line has stayed with me – as have so many other stark, tender moments.

Olive Kitteridge, by Susan Strout, is a quirky book of linked stories. The stories take place in coastal Maine. Although the inhabitants of each New England state are a bit different – I’ve lived most of my life in Massachusetts - I understand and relate to these characters. These deeply human stories, often about family, portray the heartache, the wonder and the joy of ordinary life.

Susan Straight’s elegant novel A Million Nightingales is another favorite. A Million Nightingales tells the moving story of a beautiful young slave girl in nineteenth century Louisiana. Sold upriver, Moinette is repeatedly assaulted and must rely on her intelligence to survive. This powerful story stayed with me long after I’d finished reading.

Many emerging novelists are also writing wonderful books. A few I’ve enjoyed: Farsighted, Emlyn Chand; Black Beast, Rob Guthrie; Forbidden Mind, Kimberly Kinrade; The Trust, Sean Keefer; Exeter, Jennie Coughlin; Well With My Soul, Gregory G. Allen; Treasure Me, Christine Nolfi; and Riversong,Tess Hardwick.

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

We’ve moved to Stowe, Vermont, just two weeks ago. Although I know this is an artsy town, I have not yet had time to discover the scene. Until this fall, we lived in Massachusetts. Boston, with its many universities, boasts a vibrant writing community.

How has social media changed the publishing industry?

Technological advances made it easier, cheaper and faster to publish a book; in that sense technology powered the e-Revolution. Before social media, though, it was nearly impossible for indie writers to sell their books. While people did self-publish, only a lucky few sold more than a hundred copies.

For nearly six months after I published In Leah’s Wake I did no marketing at all – like my predecessors I sold very few books. In March, realizing that I could either market or watch the book die, I began to work on my social media platform. Once I met my publicist, Emlyn Chand, I began to branch out. Since May, through social media alone, I’ve sold over 55,000 books. It’s been an amazing experience. Just a few years ago, this could never have happened. Book bloggers, who read our books and spread the word across the Internet, are vitally important. We couldn’t do it without you, John! Thank you so much!!


What is your thought process like when you're writing?

Before I begin a book, I think, in general terms, about story, character, plot. Once I start writing, I try not to think too much. Otherwise, I run the risk of over-thinking or putting too much logic and not enough instinct into the work. When I’m in the midst of a book, the story stays with me; it invades my dreams at night and I often find myself daydreaming. When I’m in that dreamy state, I tend to recognize connections and figure things out.

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

I’ve always wanted to fly – maybe a flying policewoman. In my book, In Leah’s Wake, the only non-family member with a voice is Jerry Johnson, the policeman. I see him as the connecting force in the novel and for this family. Though flawed, like all of us, he takes his responsibility for others to heart. I very much see police this way – as the connecting force in communities. To me, they’re heroes.


Do you believe in life on other planets?

Yes. Given the size of the universe, I find it impossible to imagine that life exists only on Earth.

What is your opinion on book to movie adaptations?

I think they’re wonderful. I’ve seen many outstanding adaptations. Books and films are very different, of course. Books get their power from the rich inner life they depict while films are visual. Assuming that their creative minds work differently, I find the comparison, the differences and similarities between the vision of the writer and filmmaker, very interesting.

That said, I prefer to see the film before reading the book. Knowing the outcome has never spoiled a book for me. Until I started reading on a Kindle, I always read the end of the book first. That allowed me to slow down and savor the writing. On the other hand, once I’ve read a book I have a strong picture of the characters and my own vision of the story; if the filmmaker’s sensibilities are too different from mine or the film veers too far from the story told in the book, the film will often be ruined for me.

If you could have any first addition book. Which would it be and why?

The Road, Cormac McCarthy. As I’ve mentioned above, I think this book is a masterpiece. It’s a book I could read over and over. Someday – I hope not in my lifetime, but you never know – books will be a novelty. It would be wonderful to have a first edition now, but if books disappeared a first edition would truly be a treasure.

 Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you so very much for hosting me today, John! I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts with your readers. It’s an honor to be here!

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Thank you for doing the interview Terri. I look forward to reading and reviewing "In Leah's Wake". Terri was nice enough to send me the book trailer for her debut novel. I've emebed the trailer at the bottom of the page.  Readers can purchase "In Leah's Wake" by clicking on the following links:




Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/In-Leahs-Wake-ebook/dp/B0044XV7PG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1306533515&sr=8-3

Amazon Paper: http://www.amazon.com/Leahs-Wake-Terri-Giuliano-Long/dp/1456310542/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318690782&sr=8-1

Barnes & Nobles: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/In-Leahs-Wake/Terri-Giuliano-Long/e/2940011264566?itm=1&USRI=In%2BLeah27s%2BWake

Indie Bound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780975453391

TRAILER FOR "IN LEAH'S WAKE"



COMING DECEMBER 15 – NEWLY EDITED UK EDITION, PUBLISHED BY INSPIRED QUILL PRESS.

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