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Your new movie Colourblind
- in a few words, what is it about?
It’s about a colourblind P.I. named Jaffy, who is hired to track the
tail of a suicidal girl. He is taken totally by surprise when he starts to
follow the girl, actually begins to see this person in complete colour,
for the first time in his life. Believing her to be his soul mate, he
risks everything and puts his career on the line by revealing to her his
true identity. At least to me, Colourblind
seemed rather reminiscent of classic film noir, at least in story -
something you can at all agree to, and if so, what has drawn you to that
genre, and some of your genre favourites? Yes the movie is
much my own Vertigo. It’s very Hitchcock inspired. It also draws
from the Agatha Christie movies and the old sleuth and murder mystery
genre. The first movie I ever saw at the cinema was Evil Under the
Sun so I guess it’s kinda made its way into my limbic system. (Other)
sources of inspiration when writing Colourblind? The
movie was shot out of order and over a stretched out period of time and
was a work in progress. It’s the first time I’ve ever shot a movie
like this, rather than in one big block. Definitely had it’s challenges
along the way, but overall the product looks good so I’m happy. It’s a
solid film. So I’ve been told. What
can you tell us about your directorial approach to your story at hand? My
approach was much like I always do, let the actors ‘act’, guide them,
encourage them, believe in them and keep them on course. We didn’t stop
shooting until we all felt like it was a wrap.
You
also play the lead in Colourblind
- so do talk about your character, and what did you draw upon to bring him
to life?
Because Jaffy is a detective and uses a
photographic camera for a lot of his work, it felt much like being a
filmmaker in real life. It felt natural and voyeuristic at the same time.
I was watching, recording, note taking and investigating all at once. The
character flowed effortlessly because of this type of role being
semi-autobiographical at the time I guess. Have you written Jaffy with yourself in mind
from the get-go actually, and to what extent can you identify with him and
his story on a personal level? I never set out to write a
movie with myself as the lead intentionally. Sometime it happens because I
can save on a budget if I do it, as I am very much an ‘actor’ as much
as I am a ‘director’. But sometimes it consumes me to a point where
there is no-one else better to do the job, probably because I know the
material so well, especially if I’m one of the key writers. But I try to
be realistic, if I really don’t think I can sell a particular character,
then I won’t act in the movie. The industry is competitive enough so I
don’t want to make my job harder. Do talk about the rest of
your cast for a bit, and why exactly these people? Anne
Gauthier who plays Sia had the part written for her. There was no-one else
I wanted for that role. As soon as we met I felt inclined, and somewhat
destined to shoot with her. The story engulfed and consumed both of us and
very quickly we were off and running. Following this it gave me a chance
to cast my friend Jane Badler, whom I’d been wanting to work with on a
feature film for quite some time, and had been waiting for the right role
and opportunity to arise. Others such as Ian Rooney I had kept in mind for
many years until the time was right. Jake Ryan who plays the hitman was a
stroke of just good timing. Each actor was slotted in to the roles
strategically and systematically. I’ve been told the casting is
brilliant so I’m very happy with the results.
A few
words about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere? On
set atmosphere was much like all of my movies, contagious, energetic,
exciting, hyper-realistic and all round good vibes. Everyone wanted to
give the best takes possible. It was tight, on schedule and executed
professionally at all corners. There was zero time wasting. You
also have to talk about the film's rather jazzy musical score by Gerard
Mack for a bit, and how much of a say did you yourself claim when it came
to scoring Colourblind? That’s
a funny one. When I first talked to Gerard about the score I wanted a very
jazzy, almost Angel Heart type soundtrack. He told me jazz was the
one sound he didn’t do. Ironically there ended up being a lot of jazz in
the movie and it sounds amazing. That’s typical Gerard, he’s so
humble, he’s a musical genius and always delivers even when he doubts
himself. That’s why I went back to him a second time, as we had already
won multiple awards for our previous film Revenge of the Gweilo
together, particularly for music score. The
$64-question of course, where can Colourblind
be seen?
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Hehehe. well let's just say it’s coming soon.
Wink, wink. I have many distribution offers now from all over the world,
so I’m just trying to sort out the best long term solution at the
moment. It’s not far off though. Anything you can tell us about audience and
critical reception of Colourblind
yet? I have had a cast and crew screening so far and they
were all very much happy with the results. It’s pretty safe to say
it’s my best film to date. Most professional and with the best actors.
When you’re dealing with the likes of Badler, it’s Hollywood royalty.
You can’t stuff it up, as there’s a pressure there. You have a lot to
lose if you make a mistake. But if you do well, then the rewards are
higher. That’s just a life rule to live by isn’t it, I mean if you
want something that badly then you have to go for it. Any future projects you'd like to share? Yes!
My latest project is already in post! I’m editing it, so hopefully there
will be another one-two punch coming from Hill soon. It’s called I,
Portrait and is a modern day thriller about a love triangle. Anything
else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?
I’ve
also just shot two short films for a Grindhouse compilation
for Troma. I
had heaps of fun doing them and have even been asked if I want to make
feature length versions. One is called Vampire Hooker Hotel and the
other Hannya Girl. The future looks like fun to me. Happy days. Your/your
movie's website, Facebook, whatever else?
https://www.facebook.com/colourblindthemovie/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dsIAGvXvrM
http://www.nhp.net.au
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1554712/
Thanks
for the interview!
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