Your new movie The Mimic
- in a few words, what is it about?
A screenwriter explores the lighter side of a sociopath when he
befriends a new neighbor on the local newspaper staff.
What were your sources of inspiration when writing
The Mimic, and is any of
it based on personal experience? The core of the film is based on personal experience. I then
projected onto the possibilities of where it might lead. My inspiration
came from an amalgam of characters while on that journey. In all honesty, to what
extent could you identify with either protagonist of your movie? The Narrator. I can identify with his curiosity like one rubbernecks
at a car accident. What
can you tell us about The Mimic's
approach to comedy? I approached this in a hyper realistic manner since sociopaths don't
see reality as it really is. A conversational cadence to the dialogue
best suits this style. A few words about your over all
directorial approach to your story at hand? Since the script was very detailed, the over all directional approach
was already there. This allows me to get the most out of the
performances by shooting in longer takes and allowing the actors to take
you exactly where their characters want to go. Do talk
about The Mimic's key
cast, and why exactly these people? The cast is entirely composed of experienced theater actors who made
the jump to film. That is key when doing long takes. The restaurant
scene is a good example of this. We shot 14 pages of dialogue in one
day. When you have a cast like that the possibilities are endless.
What can you tell us
about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere? We shot in 18 days, 6 day weeks. The atmosphere was always upbeat
since the challenge was daunting. The
$64-question of course, where can The
Mimic be seen? The
Mimic releases Feb. 5th nationwide in theatres and on demand.
Like "The Kid" in the film, it won't be hard to find. Anything you can tell us about
audience and critical reception of The
Mimic? At the first preview screening in NY the audience mulled about for
30 minutes after the film. Most wanted to see it again. So far,
the critical response has been positive to mixed, which is fair since
it's so different from the usual fare. Any future projects you'd like to share? My next film deals with a famous mystery writer who is contacted by
a fan that wants out of his marriage.
What
got you into filmmaking in the first place, and did you receive any formal
training on the subject?
I started in television production in New York and graduated into
filmmaking because I had something to say. I
attended the Rockport Film and TV workshops in Maine and Laguna
Beach, CA. They were taught by veteran directors George Shaffer and
Richard Fleisher. What can you tell us about your
filmwork prior to The Mimic?
I started with a short horror film that played theatrically because
the projectionist put it on before Pinocchio instead of Beverly Hills
Cop. That got me into NY Magazine and eventually to Sidney Lumet's
producer who made my first film. My first foray into comedy came three
years later with Charlie Hoboken. Between
your last movie Charlie Hoboken and The
Mimic more than 20 years have gone down the river - now how come,
and what have you done in the meantime? That was a different era back then, 35mm,
VHS tape, no
DVDs. You
had to know what you were doing. Once it got easier I lost interest. I
substituted film with the restoration of historic real estate. Different
vendors, same process. Final outcome is a house instead of a picture. I
sold, changed my surroundings, got re-inspired and made The
Mimic on 4K.
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How would you
describe yourself as a director? I put everyone at ease
because I'm funny only because I'm disgusted. That's a good combination
when making a comedy. I listen more than I talk and if someone has a
better idea than me we use it because I get the credit anyway. A trick I
learned in real estate. Filmmakers who inspire
you?
Sidney Lumet, Peter Bogdanovich, Hal Ashby, David Mamet. Your favourite movies? Network,
Harold and Maude, What's up Doc?, My Favorite Year,
Things Change. Your/your movie's
website, social media, whatever else? themimicmovie.com (all
social tags @themimicmovie) Anything else
you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask? Best to make a movie if you're single. It will live on longer than
any children you might not have. Thanks
for the interview!
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