In our last interview from quite a while ago [click
here], we talked about your science fiction thriller Terminal
Legacy - so it's only fitting to start this one talking about its
sequel Terminal Legacy: Lost Souls - so what's that one about?
Terminal
Legacy was about a group of scientists who develop a miracle
drug and begin human trials illegally. The experiment goes horribly wrong
when test subjects begin dying. Terminal Legacy: Lost Souls
is about a woman's search
for her cousin, Jordan (my character from the first film) who disappeared
after entering said experiment. Her search uncovers a dangerous
conspiracy What
inspired you to make a sequel to Terminal
Legacy, and what were
your sources of inspiration when writing it? It's an
interesting story behind this short sequel. When we were putting together
a marketing plan for Terminal
Legacy we wanted to develop some additional
content that would entice viewers without actually effecting the events of
the first film. We came up with this idea of a moc-documentary told from a
new character's perspective - an investigation into the events of the
film. Similar to what the Blair Witch Project did for the
Sci-Fi Channel.
After we shot this promotional content, we realized there was another
story to be told, so we wrote an ending, shot it, cut it all together. With
Terminal Legacy: Lost Souls
being a science fiction movie, is that a genre at
all dear to you? I love the sci-fi genre. I grew up on Aliens,
Predator, Terminator, Blade Runner. These are some of my favorite
films. Terminal
Legacy was our first low budget foray into this amazing
genre of film. We wanted to make a thinking man's action film, so sci-fi
lends itself to that creative process.
You also directed Terminal Legacy: Lost Souls
- so do talk about your directorial approach to your story
at hand, and how would you describe yourself as a director in the first
place? I consider myself as a director and writer out of
necessity. I truly enjoy directing, but my primary focus is and has always
been acting. Brian Kazmarck [Brian
Kazmarck interview - click here], my partner on Terminal
Legacy, likes to focus on the
art and creative process, so when we were brainstorming marketing ideas,
he was pretty much hands off. I took it upon myself to write, cast and
shoot Terminal Legacy: Lost Souls
(who better than the cowriter of the first film?). It was
only after us shooting the promo material did we realize we actually had a
worthy follow-up. You appear on camera in Terminal Legacy: Lost Souls
only in a small cameo - so why that, and is there anything you
can tell us about your character still? In Terminal
Legacy,
I played one of the lead characters, Jordan. In Terminal Legacy: Lost Souls, Jordan
is referenced multiple times, but he doesn't actually make an appearance
in the film. My cameo in the sequel is just as a masked henchmen to our
villain What can you
tell us about your key cast, and why exactly these people?
How do we start? I'll make a list!
Courtney Cavanagh as Tracy. Wow. I met her a few years ago when we did
an off-off broadway show. I instantly noticed how confident, easy to
work with and talented she was. I knew I wanted to work with her again
We ended up casting her in Standing
Eight. A few months later
when we were putting together the promo for Terminal
Legacy and I
immediately knew I wanted to cast her as the lead. No audition. No need.
It was written for her. I think when you watch the film, you'll see why.
She's just fantastic.
Marcos Sotomayor as Ike Marcos is a great actor. It's amazing
that his acting skills are matched only by his work with the camera! So
he was a shoe-in to play Tracy's best friend and cameraman.
Brian O'Neil as Dr. Lebowitz. Brian also worked on Standing
Eight and I
thought he would be the perfect fit for our doctor with a dark secret.
Lawrence Ballard as Jacob Gosling. It was only fitting that our
"money man" behind the scenes of the events of the first film
returned to our sequel to continue his villainous streak.
A
few words about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere? The
shoot was literally the easiest thing we've ever done. There were
literally no complications. Everyone was ready to go. As far as the
actors' work, I allowed them to improvise. I always feel that actors need
to bring some of their own words to characters I think it really
allows them to get lost in their roles. Another
new movie of yours is Standing
Eight - so what's that one about? Standing
Eight is about Dusty Abrams, a professional boxer who after being
diagnosed with Systemic Lupus is forced to retire and contend with his new
life outside of the ring. You
play a boxer in Standing
Eight, so how did you prepare for that
aspect of the role, and what did you draw upon to bring him to life? I
used to box in the amateurs in my past life, so I've kept up that skill
since I began acting. Preparing physically for Standing
Eight just
involved a bit more lifting weights (for aesthetic purposes). As far as
creating a character, I've seen my mother fighting the disease for my
entire life, so I was able to draw a lot from what I've witnessed in my
own life.
How
did the project fall together in the first place, and how did you end up
co-writing and producing it?
At the time I wrote the first draft of Standing
Eight, I had been
acting in New York for about five years.
I had never been cast as a boxer. This was frustrating due to my extensive background in the
sport and skill set
despite having auditioned for countless times to play one
So, the initial spark to do Standing
Eight was to finally have the opportunity to play a boxer.
When it was suggested to me by one of our producers to make the
screenplay personal, and involve lupus, I was completely with it.
My mother has lupus, and she's had it for as long
as I've lived.
Most people don't even know what the
disease does to the human body. Basically, the immune system
attacks the body. It effects millions of people around the globe -
primarily women. I felt it was pertinent to use my
creative talents to raise awareness.
I wrote the
first draft of the script, showed it to Brian Kazmarck (the
director) [Brian
Kazmarck interview - click here] and Louis Peduto
(our lead producer)
and that was it. We committed to
making this film.
And that's why this film is so
much more than just a boxing film. This film
is
dedicated to my mother, who has stuck with me through every
bonehead decision I've made
and really my way of giving back to her.
What were the main
challenges when producing Standing
Eight, actually?
Money. Always money. Being an indie filmmaker, that's always the biggest
issue. So I put on my producer hat, went to Kickstarter and ran two
successful crowdfunding campaigns.
The second challenge was really nailing down the story with Brian. We
had some creative differences when it came to the story we wanted to
tell. Eventually we nailed it down and worked through it, but there was
a lot of back and forth prior to production. It mostly had to do with
how we wanted the climax of the story play out.
Standing
Eight was directed by your frequent collaborator Brian Kazmarck [Brian
Kazmarck interview - click here] - so what was your collaboration
with him like on this particular project?
Brian is an incredibly talented filmmaker and writer. Once we were able
to agree on a vision for the film, the shoot was a cake-walk.
Do talk about
your co-stars in Standing
Eight for a bit, and as producer, did you
have any say in casting?
Courtney Cavanagh - she was fantastic as Dusty Abrams' fiance Skylar.
Quincy Chad, was perfect to play Dusty's nemesis, Quinn Durbin. He's
also up-and-coming big time in Hollywood. He made a huge splash last
year with his guest star on Netflix's hit show Orange is the New
Black.
Brian O'Neil, he played Dusty's trainer, Mack. He had that old school
boxing trainer grit down. We knew the second he walked into the
audition room.
We held auditions for the larger roles. Brian, Louis and I all
made the casting decisions together. We knew pretty much right out of
the gate, who we were going to cast. We then filled all the supporting
roles with those actors we didn't cast as the leads. It worked out
splendidly! I think the casting for the film was perfect
Again, a few words about the
shoot?
Putting the film together was just an overall incredible experience.
Through fundraising I met a lot of lupies (a nickname for those
diagnosed with Lupus) on social media. Seeing their journeys was so
motivational to me. It really pushed me to want to tell a story that
did them justice. I think we did just that.
The film has been in the festival circuit now for almost a year.
So far it has been recognized all over the world! The Caymen Islands,
Spain, the UK. We've taken home awards for Best Short Film, Best
Cinematography, Best Actor and we've been nominated multiple times.
I think the recognition in festivals is a statement to the story we've
told
The $64-question of course, when and where will
these two movies be released onto the general public?
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Terminal Legacy: Lost Souls
is on the festival circuit, but that will be released
early 2018.
Standing Eight
will run in festivals through May 2018. After that
time, I'll release that as well. Although I've made no decisions as far
as the platform. But I'll definitely let you know when it happens.
Any
other present or future projects you'd like to talk about?
Well,
I've come to grips with the fact that if I want to take control of my
career, I need to wear multiple industry hats, so I've dug in and written
several screenplays. I've just finished the third draft of a feature
length modern day Western. I think it's best thing I've written so
far. God willing, this will be the next film that gets made. I'll keep you
updated! Your/your
movies' website, Facebook, whatever else?
The first Terminal
Legacy is actually available for rental and
digital download at
www.terminallegacy.vhx.tv
- please feel free to support independent film and check it out!
Our Facebook page is
https://www.facebook.com/Terminal-Legacy-151777284874466/
- the trailers for both Terminal
Legacy and Terminal Legacy: Lost Souls
can be found there.
Our Facebook page for Standing
Eight is
https://www.facebook.com/StandingEightFilm/
- the trailer, festival updates and a plethora of stills can be
found on there.
Anything else
you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask? Not
at the moment Thanks
for the interview! Thank you!
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