Daniel Hess's Blog

The Andy Baker Tape Film Spotlight
Today’s film spotlight focuses on the feature film The Andy Baker Tape directed by Bret Lada. What is the title of your film and what inspired said title?

The Andy Baker Tape is an homage to found-footage films and drawn from the sequence of events in our film.

 

Tell us a little bit about the story and origins of your film.

The Andy Baker Tape was written, shot, and edited in a 6-month period during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Created by a displaced screen actor, an out-of-work Blue Man, an Australian- based sound engineer, and a first-time female producer; this film is a testament to creation and keeping the artistic spirit alive while the rest of the world was forced into hibernation. Dustin Fontaine and I were classmates in drama school and the hiatus during the pandemic gave us an opportunity to reunite to work with each other.

 

Any films or filmmakers that inspired this film?

Yes! We drew inspiration from tons of different films; Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, The Blair Witch Project, Willow Creek, Creep, The Greenbook, and spent hours watching found-footage films to research what was effetive an what wasn’t.

 

 

What is the goal of the film for you?

The original concept of this film was an exercise in filmmaking and giving ourselves a creative practice while the rest of our artistic careers were put on pause. After our first successful screenings, the goal shifted to getting as much visibility on this project as possible.  We played 24 Film Festivals in 2021, were awarded 26 Jury Awards including Best Feature, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Editing, and Best Screenplay, and developed a great fan base that has helped champion our film.

 

What has the journey been like getting the film into production?

The Andy Baker Tape was a labor of love. Our small team of 4 producers wore multiple hats. Bret and Dustin spent two weeks on set alone working closely on the cinematography, sound recording, and acting.  For a few of the difficult shots, the duo enlisted producer Caitlin Borek who aided with the more difficult scenes.  Arthur Giamalidis is a wizard of a sound designer who spent three months on our audio.  Matt Dubrow and his band Matt Dubrow & the Captives scored the film with custom music along with Jerome Shuler and his group Molly and the Pineapples. All-in-all the project was an eight-month process. The first discussions of the script started in May of 2020, we finished the script by September of that year, the film was shot in October, and we had a final cut of the film by January of 2021.  During our distribution proccess, we rescored some of the film with new music due to unexpected copyright issues. Terror Films is releasing us on August 5th of 2022.

 

One thing you learned from this project?

So many things! We gained so much knowledge on camera use and the importance of sound. As filmmakers, we faced multiple obstacles during filming which taught us to stay calm and problem-solve.  During the initial film festival run we spent countless hours marketing, pushing the film, designing graphics, and fundraising to help cover expenses.  This film was a boot camp in movie making.

 

How can folks find you and your film online?

 

The Andy Baker Tape will premiere on the Terror Films YouTube channel on August 5, 2022, before a wide digital release on August 12 and on the Kings of Horror YouTube channel on August 19. Any last pieces of advice for fellow filmmakers?

BE OVERLY AMBITIOUS! Don’t sell yourself short, trust in your vision, and you will find a way to execute. Also….HAVE FUN. Storytelling is a fun endeavor and while you are in the trenches of filming, editing, and production woes remember the broader picture and execute on your vision!

For more reviews and content stick with To Tony Productions and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog to stay up to date!

The post The Andy Baker Tape appeared first on To Tony Productions.

Better Know An Author – Philip Brocklehurst
Our weekly spotlight series on authors from around the world. This week we sat down with Philip Brocklehurst!
Please give a brief introduction, including your name and where you are based

I’m Philip, or Phil as I prefer to be called; and I’m from Birmingham, UK. I’ve lived here for as long as I can remember, and if you could hear my voice, you would hear a 100% Brummie accent.For those not from the United Kingdom, a Brummie is what we call someone who resides in Birmingham, and I’m that and proud of it, lol.

 

What book or books have you published or are working on at the moment?

I’ve had several indie books published, like Zombie Forest, a homage to Eurotrash zombie films like Jean Rollin’s Zombie Lake, with my own spin added to it, to try and breathe a little new life into the undead sub-genre.Another indie book I had published is The Blade Warrior, a tribute to old school 80s sword and sorcery movies like Conan the Barbarian, The Sword and the Sorcerer, and Iron Warrior; to name but a few.I also dabbled in sci-fi with my first book Humanity Lost, a 1984 meets THX-1138 story about a society oppressed by a passive-aggressive dictatorship which uses airborne chemicals to suppress the wills of the people.As of now, I’m currently revising my latest manuscript before its indie publication; a noir with a twist called “A Tender Sunrise”. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, or spoil the twists and turns that await, so I’ll say this about the work: imagine a typical bread and butter noir story about a hard boiled, burnt out, gritty Private Detective, down on his luck, who is assigned to a dangerous case, but completely turned on its head in its portrayal of the main protagonist and how he tackles the case from beginning to end. In a way, I consider it an anti-noir story, or a realistic-noir story.

 

What drives you to write?

Having an overactive imagination is definitely one factor that drives me to write. I often have ideas running through my head like a whirlwind and I have to get them down on paper. It can be overwhelming just keeping them to myself. Another is a love of telling stories that I hope will grip and engross readers, and take them on a memorable journey for a while.

 

Where can folks find you online and on social media?

I can be found on Instragram – https://www.instagram.com/philip.brocklehurst.9/ Also I’m on Twitter – https://twitter.com/Philip_PMThomas And of course, I’m on Goodreads too.I’d be happy to connect with readers or fellow writers, to discuss books, etc.

 

What is one piece of advice you would give to another author out there who might be struggling?

I know what they’re going through. I’m in the same boat; as are many other indie and aspiring authors. The book industry is ever expanding, and with the indie book scene added on top of the massive pile, it’s becoming increasingly harder to get work seen by readers; and even more difficult to get traditional publishing houses to accept work as the standards of what they consider quality books is higher than it’s ever been.My one piece of advice would be: it can be demoralizing but don’t lose hope. Keep writing, keep perfecting your craft, keep getting your work out there, either independently or by submitting it to agents, publishers, etc, and one day, it’ll reach the right person who will appreciate the time and effort you put into creating your story and the rest will be history.In the meantime, believe in yourself and cast aside any nagging doubt. All it will do is hold you back. I know only too well what a crutch it can be. Doubt and I are old sparring partners.

 

What are some of your five-year goals with writing?

To improve how I write and how I tell a story. To decrease common mistakes in my work. I strive to have little to no typos, as well as having stronger grammar and tighter prose. To never lose heart. And to keep writing.

 

For more reviews and content stick with To Tony Productions and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog to stay up to date!

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Better Know An Author – Meli Bee
Our weekly spotlight series on authors from around the world. This week we sat down with Meli Bee!
Please give a brief introduction, including your name and where you are based

Hi, I’m Melissa Rae Brett (Meli Bee), a children’s book author living in Sydney, Australia. By day I’m a mental health education resource developer at the Black Dog Institute, and by night am ‘Meli, Maker of Many Colourful Things’.

 

What book or books have you published or are working on at the moment?

‘Bibi – The Cat Who Said Moo’ for ages 3-6 years was released as a self-published picture book with gorgeous illustrations by the lovely Charlotte Watkins. It went on sale through IngramSpark in October 2021.In the story, Bibi moves house and sets out to make new friends but everyone laughs at her. Feeling discouraged, Bibi wonders if she’ll ever find friends in this new place. But she rallies her courage and keeps searching, eventually receiving a wonderfully unexpected reward.Bibi’s story is about the challenges of being different and the rewards of being yourself. Themes include diversity, courage, persistence, acceptance and unconditional love.Other books I’m working on include a wordless picture book about some wonderful community support during COVID lockdown and a fun chapter book for young readers with environmental themes.

 

What drives you to write?

The stories that appear in my mind and simply won’t go away! Also the amazing young people I know who are a constant source of inspiration. When I was younger stories really helped me – many of the messages from childhood books are still with me. I’d love to write stories that inspire children and adults too.

 

Where can folks find you online and on social media?

https://www.melibee-author.com https://www.instagram.com/meli_bee_author/ https://www.facebook.com/melibeeauthor/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissarbrett/

 

What is one piece of advice you would give to another author out there who might be struggling?

The struggle is part of writing, painful though it can be at times. Ask yourself what support you need and make sure you get it. Question any ideas about what success looks like. Take a break, do something that inspires you. Then find the next simple task that you can do easily.

 

What are some of your five-year goals with writing?

To publish my chapter book for kids. And possibly start writing a book for adults – something is brewing but the idea isn’t fully formed.

 

Final Thoughts?

I believe anyone can do whatever they want to do, be whatever they want to be. Which isn’t to say it will be an easy path. It definitely takes a willingness to learn, navigation of challenges, enough self-belief and the sacrifice of some things – not just time but our own ideas about ourselves and what we can and can’t do. Being creative is a wonderful gift and the world needs all our inspiring gifts. So let’s get out there and create!

 

For more reviews and content stick with To Tony Productions and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog to stay up to date!

The post Meli Bee appeared first on To Tony Productions.

Coffee & Do Overs Film Spotlight
Today’s film spotlight focuses on the short film Coffee & Do Overs directed by Sandra Williams. What is the title of your film and what inspired said title?

Coffee & Do Overs- (RomCom, fantasy)  Produced by All Dog Entertainment, Directed by Sandra Williams, Filmed by Lyle Dillie, Written by Christan van Slyke. Starring Christie Maxwell & Jacob Letman. Logline: After an embarrassing encounter with her crush, Blake; Rosie stumbles into him again, at an overcrowded coffee shop that same evening. Has a second chance been orchestrated on her behalf?

 

Tell us a little bit about the story and origins of your film.

Rosie has had a crush on a coworker for some time. But, through her awkward attempts and introverted tendencies, she has failed to properly convey how she truly feels. Today, everything in her world is finally working for her and the universe seemingly orchestrates a redo, a second chance to win her love, Blake, over. I’m a hopeless romantic as they call it, so the idea of a fantastical way to bring true love together, is refreshing and heart warming for me. Rosie is a lot like me in real life, socially awkward, insecure at times, introspective and quiet. I felt it my mission to create a story where she gets a little help, a little boldness thrust upon her, a little encouragement from her surroundings that she’s making the right decision, that her motives are pure. She’s a rare, beautiful soul and I feel others will relate to this story as well! We’ve all been afraid to reach out or go after that one person before, or go after that dream that frightens us and would require us to boldly break out of our shell. 

 

 

What is the goal of the film for you?

I would love for this film to not only reach many, but inspire many to break out of their comfort zone. My hope is that this film encourages people to chase after their dreams and work through those human quirks we each have. They make us unique and beautiful but can hinder us sometimes, especially when we’re afraid to take that step forward, due to discouragement or fear of what others may think or say. I am hopeful for worldwide distribution and a potential feature in the future. Of course, we would need funding assistance for that. But I believe with a little faith and lots of hard work, anything is possible! We will keep pushing forward and I hope others are inspired to do the same. 

 

What has the journey been like getting the film into production?

As any independent filmmaker knows, it’s challenging to get a script into production. Thankfully, Sandra Williams and her production company, All Dog Entertainment, in Arizona, have embraced my, sometimes outlandish ideas and pushed many of them into production. I am so thankful to have connected with her and her hardworking team. It takes time. Moving a script into production doesn’t happen overnight, especially when funding is an issue. Although it has taken a while to get this film into production, I am so thankful we waited for what was seemingly the perfect time because we were able to cast Christie Maxwell and Jacob Letman as the leads, Rosie and Blake. They were absolutely perfect for the roles and we cannot wait to share their performances with everyone! Looking at the behind the scenes work, the cast and crew knocked it out of the park! I couldn’t be more pleased.

 

One thing you learned from this project?

I have learned, once again, that there is a time for everything. Although I was anxious to get this story filmed a while back, I am so thankful we waited for the cast we were wanting! Everything fell perfectly into place. Sometimes things don’t work out as we think they should, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t working out in our favor. Sometimes, “not now” is the answer and we will come to understand that down the road, when things finally fall into place as they should. The key is to keep pushing forward, working toward the goal in mind with a united crew. I can’t express this enough! It is so important to use discernment when choosing who you collaborate with. This can make or break a project. A crew that’s not moving forward as a united front, will not succeed. It’s so important to surround yourself with like minded individuals, with similar drive, work ethics and values. 

 

How can folks find you and your film online?

 

Although, Coffee & Do Overs is currently in post production, I will share the IMDB Link and Facebook Link to stay informed, as well as my own personal links to check out some other upcoming work as well! We are currently gearing up for our first feature with All Dog Entertainment! Stay tuned! The best is yet to come! Breakthrough’s are coming! Very much looking forward to sharing more of my stories with the world! Christan’s IMDB:  Christan’s Website:    https://cvanslyke713.wixsite.com/christanvanslyke Christan’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/christanvanslykescreenwriter Christan’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/christanvanslyke  Christan’s Twitter:  https://www.twitter.com/ofchristansmind Coffee & Do Overs IMDB:  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10910060/ Coffee & Do Overs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoffeeAndDoOversShortFilm

For more reviews and content stick with To Tony Productions and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog to stay up to date!

The post Coffee & Do Overs appeared first on To Tony Productions.

Better Know An Author – Crystal Bowden
Our weekly spotlight series on authors from around the world. This week we sat down with Crystal Bowden!
Please give a brief introduction, including your name and where you are based

I’m Crystal Bowden, a poet, mixed media collage artist, and kid’s writing coach living outside Atlanta. I split my time between my student magazine, The Clothed Mole Rat, working as a Creative Associate for Humankind Zine, and creating art and poetry, all while hiding away in the woods.

 

What book or books have you published or are working on at the moment?

I’ve published work in a number of print and online literary magazines, including Dreamers Creative Writing Magazine, Unlost Journal, Tiny Spoon Literary Magazine, The Raven Review, Refresh Magazine, and more. Additionally, my collection Being-Mother, is featured at The Brooklyn Art Library as part of their Memoir Project, which combines mixed media collage art and poetry. In Being-Mother, I tell stories about my experiences with being a mother. The loving so much it hurts parts. The gritty, hating yourself parts. And everything in between. Currently, I’m working on a manuscript for my first poetry chapbook titled, Before the Exhale. The title comes from a line in my poem, Middle Spaces, about all the ways we live in between one thing and the next. Grief is one of these spaces. These show up in my work in numbered and varied ways, and you’ll see this throughout Before the Exhale. 

 

What drives you to write?My poetry touches on numerous themes ranging from mental illness, identity, social justice, politics, motherhood, grief, nature, and our interconnectedness to each other and everything on this Earth. At the root, I explore how these things impact the lens through which we view the world around us and ourselves. Poetry is how I express myself and draw on connections to others. In this way, each poem I create tells a different story through interiority. I hope readers find their own stories buried within these layers.

 

 

Where can folks find you online and on social media?

My website: https://crystalbowden.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystalbowdencreates/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrystalBowden

 

What is one piece of advice you would give to another author out there who might be struggling?

One of my biggest struggles as a writer is feeling bogged down by the pressure of getting to a final product rather than giving myself over to the process of writing. Stop worrying over the final product. Don’t think about whether your writing is good. It doesn’t need to be good. That can come later. For now, just release your ideas onto the page. Don’t become too married to the way they come out of you. You can always recraft them later (and you probably should).

 

What are some of your five-year goals with writing?

Over the next five years, I plan to finish my chapbook and my first full-length poetry collection. Then, hopefully, I’ll have started working on my second poetry collection too! Of course, an essential part of this goal is cultivating my craft and growing as a poet as I continue to create. I look forward to seeing the myriad ways my writing will change over the next five years.

 

Final Thoughts?

Thank you, To Tony Productions, for inviting me to participate in the Better Know an Author series! And thanks so much for reading through my interview! Please connect with me via Instagram. I’d love to make more connections there.

 

For more reviews and content stick with To Tony Productions and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog to stay up to date!

The post Crystal Bowden appeared first on To Tony Productions.

St. Louis – Debut Music Video Spotlight
Today’s film spotlight focuses on the music video for Debut by St. Louis directed by Andy James Taylor. What is the title of your film and what inspired said title?

ST LOUIS – DEBUT (Official Music Video)Song Title : DEBUT

DEBUT is a metaphor for love at first sight, our vision was to paint a picture of an obsessed fan who is lusting after a performer. The word DEBUT seemed to fit perfectly.

 

Tell us a little bit about the story and origins of your film.

From the beginning we wanted the lyrics to become visual reality on the screen, storytelling the rooted romance in the fantasy world and the grand ethos of the song. The sacrifice depicted in the music video is a visual representation of the risk one takes when falling for someone too fast. People can relate to all over the World.

 

Any films or filmmakers that inspired this film?

Steven Spielberg is my ultimate inspiration as a filmmaker and director, his storytelling methods throughout the years have played a massive part in my career and in the films I make Today.

The Films that influenced me when directing DEBUT music video were Eyes Wide Shut, by Stanley Kubrick, The Cell with Jennifer Lopez, Game of Thrones and Twin Peaks in terms of the production design, the overall tone of the music video; the underlying dark fantasy world throughout, the style the music video was shot, the actors, the costumes.

The colour red is the overall stimulus throughout the video; the set where we shot DEBUT had a red background, the opening shots has the red walkway, there is blood at the end when the protagonist is stabbed, I really wanted to portray a strong colour palette within the music video the colour red symbolizing passion, love, lust, obsession, danger which are themes in the song.

My motivation was to bridge the 2 worlds together of St, Louis band performing and the other world of showcasing a story and message behind the song.   

 

 

What is the goal of the film for you?

I really believe with each film and music video I make I want to be better each time, to push myself and take creative risks. Every film and video I’ve worked on, I’ve learnt a lot from each production.I really wanted to get across my cinematic vision, share my creative eye and skills with the World. The track goes very well with the visuals on screen, my aim is to get people as many people to watch the video and listen to DEBUT as much as possible but most importantly to enjoy both the song and the story of the music video.  

 

What has the journey been like getting the film into production?

I was at a networking event with my partner one evening. A few bands were performing live and then near the end of the event St, Louis came on and for me blew the roof off with they’re sound and the song DEBUT resonated with me right there and then.As a director my head was filling up with ideas. At the time I was hungry to make a new music video, but the artist had to be right for me, I must feel something with the music to get the ball rolling!

 

One thing you learned from this project?

From the beginning I knew it was going to be a small budget, but my passion is immeasurable. I truly believe life is about making the best out of what you have. I always put my all into every project I make whether it be a small, intimate projects or larger scale productions. My ethos on every set is to have a strong team and communication is key.

The artist has put their trust and belief in me to create them high quality music video, which is an honor It was an absolute pleasure to work with St, Louis and the entire team.

 

How can folks find you and your film online?

 

INSTAGRAM @ ajtfilmmaker
YOUTUBE Andy James Taylor

MUSIC VIDEO https://youtu.be/UIb6xZHDCSE
DEBUT music video is on youtube

Any last pieces of advice for fellow filmmakers?

I’ve had to sacrifice a lot to build my filmmaking career, at the start I was funding my own short films; working countless jobs but always working throughout on filmmaking which is all I want to do in life. The hours and moments you have spare always be working on your dream, let determination move you forward, always be focused and you will make it happen.  

For more reviews and content stick with To Tony Productions and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog to stay up to date!

The post St. Louis – Debut appeared first on To Tony Productions.

Hotel Film Spotlight
Today’s film spotlight focuses on the feature film Hotel directed by Calob Robinson. What is the title of your film and what inspired said title?

Our movie is called “Hotel”. This started as a working title, but as my co-writer (Nathon Cash) and I got closer to a finished screenplay we had both fallen in love with the title. So we stuck with it and I’m glad we did. It’s simple, to the point, and accurately describes our film in just one word. 

 

Tell us a little bit about the story and origins of your film.

I had the idea for Hotel before I had even started filming my first feature “Living with Trevor” but at the time I didn’t really have an idea for what the movie would be “about”. I knew it would be 2 people talking in a Before Trilogy-esque situation but nothing past that. Then in early 2021 my best friend, producing partner, and eventual co-writer on Hotel went down to Portland to meet 2 other folk filmmakers, Jordan Ros and Ethan Hansen. We had a great weekend with them and by the end I felt extremely inspired by the way they make films. We had just released my 2 feature, “Not-So Amazing” at the time and I that was a 2 and 1/2 year production from beginning to end so I was BURNT OUT. The plan was to take all of 2021 off to heal from that experience but then that weekend happened and the cogs in my head started turning. On the drive home I remember nervously bringing up to Nathon that I think I wanna make another feature. Something smaller than I had ever done before. Something easy on a production level. He was pretty surprised but not against the idea so we kept talking and eventually I brought up an old idea I had for a movie in a Hotel room… yada yada. That idea stuck and I asked Nathon if he wanted to co-write it with me, which was the exact thing that needed to happen for the movie to take shape as more than just a loose idea. 

 

Any films or filmmakers that inspired this film?

My biggest inspiration for the film narratively is Linklater’s “Tape” from 2003. Our film is about different things but the premise of a couple people dealing with a situation all while never leaving a small Hotel room is something both movies share. I think a Tape/Hotel double feature would actually be a pretty complimentary experience. Aesthetically “Anomalisa” from 2015 was by far my biggest influence. In fact there’s a shot early on in Hotel that’s a direct call back to my favorite shot in Anomalisa. Another influence was certainly “Locke” (2013). That film has even more in common with ours than Tape or Anomalisa. All one location, all phone calls, ect. I think I took more inspiration from that film than I realized while in production. Past that though it’s hard to pull out anything super specific. I get inspired by a lot of stuff. Sometimes in big ways, others in small. 

 

 

What is the goal of the film for you?

My goal with Hotel, was to make a believable character driven drama about isolation and mistakes. I’ve been wanting to  make a drama since I started directing movies. If you watch my last 2 features, which are comedies, you can see me experimenting with dramatic ideas, but this was the first time I actually got to go all the way and that was extremely satisfying for me. There are very few things I would’ve done differently looking back and that’s a fantastic feeling. I feel more confident than ever now that I’m capable of making some of my more complex drama ideas into real movies. I’m very excited for the future. 

 

What has the journey been like getting the film into production?

It was more difficult than expected, mostly due to scheduling conflicts with our cast and crew, but still the easiest production of any of my films by a country mile. Once the script was done we only had to find an actress for the character of Jessy because we already had our friend David Rivera as Travis. We actually wrote that part specifically for him. And before we even started looking for an actress for Jessy, our now great friend Riley Barker messaged and basically just said that she liked our last movie and wanted to be involved in whatever was next. Sure enough she was exactly what we were looking for. She killed her audition and we had our complete cast. From there we rehearsed once a week for months until we felt like Riley and David were ready. Then eventually during a 3-night window in January of 2022 we all got together in a Super 8 Hotel room, and made a movie. It was an amazing experience. So creatively freeing and exactly what I needed after Not-So Amazing. I shot the film on the iPhone 13 Pro Max which made the experience particularly freeing. I loved working with it and I’m excited to use it again in some future projects. 

 

One thing you learned from this project?

I learned that heavy pre-production works. On Not-So Amazing I didn’t do nearly enough of that stuff and the production was a lot slower because of it. With Hotel we didn’t even think about shooting until all the pieces were in place and it made everything move so much smoother and without hiccups. I will never make a movie with minimal pre-production work ever again. 

 

How can folks find you and your film online?

 

You can find our film on our YouTube Channel “ RC Films ” and you can find me on Twitter @ Calob_Robinson !  Any last pieces of advice for fellow filmmakers?

If you wanna make a movie then make a movie. Don’t wait for some suits with money to give you permission. You’re capable of making amazing films on your own with a standard audio set up and your phone as the camera. You don’t need Hollywood to make feature films. Just make your movie. 

For more reviews and content stick with To Tony Productions and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog to stay up to date!

The post Hotel appeared first on To Tony Productions.

Filmmaker of the Week – Kate Tsubata
Episode 55 of Filmmaker of the Week featuring Kate Tsubata!
Give us a brief introduction of yourself, where you’re from originally and where you are now if different

I was born in New York City, grew up in rural Long Island, became a journalist, ending up in Maryland near Washington D.C. After 9/11, I became an advocate for HIV awareness through performing arts, and finally moved into film as the most powerful way to bring social change.

 

What is it that first got you into the world of filmmaking?Film seemed the logical “next step.” Communication and performing arts have always been powerful channels for me, but film lets you do the production part once, and share the result forever. 

 

Share a little bit about your specialty in the film world

 

I guess I specialize in “impossible dream” projects. I love writing the script, but even as I’m writing it, I’m planning how to produce it.  I’m imagining the location, I’m figuring out how to get the effect.  Then, the process of bringing together a team of talented folks, and finding the hidden jewels of locations, and creating workarounds for the challenges.  It’s hard work but so enjoyable.

 

What has been your most challenging project to date?Definitely, Dancing Joy. We had to travel 56,000 miles, literally around the world. We had to find ways to communicate, to get permits, to feed the crew and performers, and to pay people, and it all had to be done in a new way with each new location.  Plus, we used drone, Gopro, and Red cameras, shooting 4K so the editing added another layer of challenges.  Even the color grading was an enormous job.  Tell us a bit about your latest project.

I’ve got one project I’ve pre-produced in a zoom table read. I’d love to get into full production. It’s an everyday hero story, Halls of Mercy. A black pastor has been wrongfully convicted and sentenced to work in the worst school in the city, in hopes he’ll be killed there. His response turns the tables on those seeking to destroy him, in surprising ways.

 

What is one moment you’ve had in any part of the filmmaking process where you learned a really valuable lesson?

I think from my first film; I learned that budget is a myth. We made a 65 minute feature film in little over a week, spending about two hundred dollars (mostly food.) Our second film, a 90 minute feature, cost us $2,000.  And our third feature, which should have cost about $50,000 was done with about $7,000. The real value—and the real power of independent film—is that there are lots of ways to make things happen: in-kind, barter, or giving people the opportunity to fulfill their dreams while helping you fulfill yours. 

 

What are some of the 5-year goals for you as a filmmaker/creative?So be kind to myself as a filmmaker and let go of all expectations and pressure. If I can sustainably find ways to keep telling stories here in North Carolina, that always means the world to me. I love connecting with my community here and finding new stories to tell. Keeping that up where it makes sense would be super dope.If you could work with one idol of yours, who would it be?I would love to work with Denzel Washington. He works with purpose.  Also, Keanu Reeves, because he works with heart.  Name three films that have inspired you most in your journey.

 

“It’s a Wonderful Life”, “Brother Sun, Sister Moon”, “Babies.” Each showed me the power of story to change hearts.

 

Where can folks find out more about you online?

www.dancingjoymovie.com

 

Any last thoughts or pieces of advice to filmmakers out there?Don’t believe the gatekeepers. Without the filmmaker, there’s nothing to watch, sell, pay for or work on. There’s always, always, a way. 

For more reviews and content stick with To Tony Productions and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog to stay up to date!

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The Nanny’s Night Film Spotlight
Today’s film spotlight focuses on the feature film The Nanny’s Night directed by Igna L. Vacas. What is the title of your film and what inspired said title?

The title of my film is “The Nanny’s Night” and it comes to indicate what happens during a peaceful and in principle not dangerous summer night. I don’t know if I was inspired by it, but it has always reminded me of the horror book titles “Goosebumps” and that amuses me a lot.

 

Tell us a little bit about the story and origins of your film.

I started writing the movie in 2018 and it is conceived as the opening piece of a trilogy of events. Three nights, three movies. “The Nanny’s Night” features a small group of characters who seem harmless at first, but unleash cruelty and laughter for one night.I always wanted to explore the adolescent world and its nonsense obsessions that the internet provides them and this script gave me the opportunity to do so and, in turn, make this concept coexist with a story that I wanted to tell with different elements. All of them always linked to horror movies and the most absurd comedy.

 

Any films or filmmakers that inspired this film?

Wow, there are many. Maybe too many. I think the main inspiration, more than a name of a movie or a director, would be more of a current. In this case, the exploitation horror cinema of the 80s or the slashers that emerged in its second generation after the outbreak of Scream (1996).Visually the film has been mainly influenced by the giallo and its contrasts between warm and cold, blue and fuchsia pink.If I had to give names, it would be very easy to say the usual ones: Wes Craven, Dario Argento, David DeCoteau and others. One of my great references in today’s cinema is Christopher Landon, who makes this type of cinema and his stories become blockbusters and, at the same time, super fun and inspiring films.

 

 

What is the goal of the film for you?

The main objective is for it to be seen in every corner of the world, for the public to enjoy it and to see in it a love letter that leaves them wanting more. The film is dedicated not only to all those who inspired it, but to all those who love this genre and will dedicate time of their lives to seeing it and appreciating it for what it is.

 

What has the journey been like getting the film into production?

An adventure that I will never forget. From the day I wrote the first lyrics, until today, when the film continues its course in festivals and is being released on platforms in various countries.I have lived each stage of the film not as if it were the first time in my life, but as if it were the last, savoring every moment and putting all my love and dedication into it. Above all, thank each and every one of the team that made such a project possible. This is like football, a collective sport in which everyone counts and plays an essential role in the final result.I think the best moment of the entire production is when you see your story go from the paper, and therefore the imagination, to the reality of the screen. They say that cinema is magical for a reason.

 

One thing you learned from this project?

I learned everything. To carry out pre-production, filming and post-production well, there needs to be harmony between the three processes and the level of learning that you acquire in each of them is incredible. That is not taught anywhere, you just have to experience it to realize it.

 

How can folks find you and your film online?

 

All you have to do is search for my name: Igna L. Vacas on Google and you will be able to access my social networks where you can gouge out your eyes, oops sorry, see all my work. I also write about cinema in a magazine but the texts are usually in Spanish.The film is currently on the Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Vudu Fandango platforms in the U.S.A., Canada and the Philippines. Soon it will be able to be seen (legally) in many more countries. In addition and as I said, it can still be seen at festivals in various parts of the world. Any last pieces of advice for fellow filmmakers?

May they never tire of fighting for their dreams and goals. In the end everything comes and there is nothing more beautiful.Oh and do what you want.

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Better Know An Author – JL Pete
Our weekly spotlight series on authors from around the world. This week we sat down with JL Pete!
Please give a brief introduction, including your name and where you are based

I’m Jennifer Pete, or J.L. Pete based in the California Bay Area.

 

What book or books have you published or are working on at the moment?

I recently published IMPETUS in January 2022. It’s a success through hardship novel, with a thriller twist based on my life.

 

What drives you to write?

Writing is really therapeutic for me. Art is something that helps humans connect and I’m happy to do so through writing.

 

Where can folks find you online and on social media?

They can find me onInstagram: @ jlpete.books Facebook: Jennifer PeteTwitter: Im_JenniferLynn

 

What is one piece of advice you would give to another author out there who might be struggling?

Writer’s block happens to everyone. When you don’t know what to write, just start writing and something will almost always click. If overwhelmed about the publishing process, there are tons of online tutorials on how to get started. Don’t focus on the whole staircase, just one step at a time.

 

What are some of your five-year goals with writing?

I’d like to continue writing poetry and eventually publish some of those works. I hope my first novel, IMPETUS, continues to spread globally and inspire anyone going through a difficult time.

 

Final Thoughts?

If you’re looking for a real page-turner or heart-racing thriller, check out IMPETUS, available now on Amazon !

 

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