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Your new movie The
Phantom Pain - in a few words, what's it about?
The subconscious can overrule reality when it comes to addiction.
Now how did the project come into being in the first place, what
drew you to it?
Writer/producer Norman Luce and I are big Ray Bradbury and
Twilight Zone fans,
so when we talked about the story Night Call Collect, we wanted to
adapt it to something that fit into that genre but still had that "old
school feel". However, we also wanted to make it a little different.
Do talk about The
Phantom Pain's writer and producer Norman Luce, and what was your
collabortion like? Norman is a self-taught filmmaker and theater actor. We have worked
together on several projects including my feature film Soap Operas For
Seniors and a couple of 48 Hour Film projects. I always wanted to do
something along the horror genre and so did he, so this project was a no
brainer for us.
To what extent could you identify with
The Phantom Pain's
Jack, and the dilemma he finds himself in?
I identify with Jack a lot when it comes to not letting that inner voice
take over when I want to accomplish a task. Sometimes I listen to that
inner self too much and have to weigh out the rights and wrongs of what
could happen as opposed to what "will" happen.
A few words about your directorial approach to your story at hand?
I wanted to make it kind of sinister, but at the same time make people
think about it.
Do talk about The
Phantom Pain's cast, and why exactly these people?
Abel Cosentino was a terrific choice for Jack. I have worked with Abel on
several different projects, and I knew he could bring the emotion to the
role. He has had several people in his life who have suffered and
recovered from drug addiction, so he knew what emotional avenues to go
down.
Mary Ellen Wood is someone I just started working with and loved her
attitude and energy. She is a very talented theater actress and just
started working films into her repertoire. She was also young looking
enough to play the role of the niece.
Ian Douglas is someone Norman recommended as "the voice" and he did great!
He's also a theater actor that likes to do film as well. He had the
"creepiness" and “strangeness" in his voice that made his telephone calls
work.
What can you tell us about the shoot as such, and the on-set
atmosphere?
We had a small crew of five people that consisted of two student
filmmakers; one of which served as an AD the other as a PA, another PA,
myself as the director and Norman as the DP/writer. We like to keep our
shoots simple and well-organized, as we shot this film in two days. We
also like to have fun when we shoot and still manage to stay focused and
do the work it takes to finish the film. There is no drama "off" set, as
we like to keep it "on" set.
The $64-question of course, where can
The Phantom Pain
be seen?
We've screened
The Phantom Pain at a local film festival in Portland, and,
of course,tThe Art is Alive Film Festival. Recently, it was screened at
the True Colors Film Festival in Las Vegas. We hope to keep screening it
at other film festivals in the future.
Anything you can tell us about audience and critical reception of
The Phantom Pain?
Everyone we have shown it to so far has loved it. The juxtaposition of the
black and white and the color showing what could have been the past and
the would-be future was a great distinction in recognizing Jacks'
emotions.
Any future projects you'd like to share?
Bushido Boy is a martial arts comedy feature.
Shrink Spotlight is a webseries based on therapy sessions that
are improvisational, and Fork and Spoon - a webseries
based on a Filipino chef which shows the ups and downs of her life as well
as her restaurant.
What made you enter the filmworld in the first place, and did you
receive any formal training on the subject?
I first entered the film world as a dancer and with my theater training, I
started doing plays and then eventually film. I saw that there were not a
lot of Asian or Asian American actors that were cast in films. Either they
were stereotypical or supporting roles, but never a principal role. I
decided to form the company Asian Mainstream Productions to feature not
only my own projects, but projects from different producers and actors of
diverse talents. I never had any formal training except for my acting and
some production workshops. I learned a lot from being on sets and
watching, taking notes and asking questions about how a production was
ran.
You seem to be as comfortable in front of a camera as behind one -
so which side do you actually prefer, and why?
I don't really prefer either. If I had to choose, I would say I love being
a director because I can call the shots. I guess it is easier for me since
I have a teaching and non-profit administration background. Acting is fun
too, but sometimes the lines tend to trip me up. I need a lot more
practice in learning lines than I do in producing and directing a film.
What can you tell us about your filmwork prior to
The Phantom Pain,
in whatever position?
Before The Phantom Pain, I have produced about twenty shorts or more in
narration and documentary styles. I have two feature films and one in the
works under my belt. I have also worked as a PA, script supervisor,
costume and make-up person, writer and ran sound once or twice. I think
it's important to know as many positions as possible so you know how they
run and what their jobs entail
You also have to talk about your production company
Asian Mainstream Productions, and the philosophy behind it!
My philosophy behind Asian Mainstream Productions is to highlight as many
diverse talents in the business as possible, especially of Asian heritage.
There are so many talented Asian actors, producers, directors, and writers
out there that have been in the business for a long time and are now just
starting to get the recognition they deserve. I started this company when
diversity was beginning to become popular, and now you have all these
people that are like Michelle Yeoh, Simu Liu, John Chu, Stephanie Hsu and
Ke Huy Quan to name a few.
How would you describe yourself as a director?
I am an organized and creative director in the moment. What I mean by this
is that sometimes when an actor gives out his or her lines, I usually want
to hear it said in a different way and whatever strikes me in the moment
as how it's said is the way I want it and not necessarily how they
originally thought it would be said. I don't demand anything from anyone,
but I expect them to know their jobs and what they entail.
Filmmakers who inspire you?
Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott, Alfred Hitchcock, Stephen Spielberg and
Jon Favreau. I also tend to like Ryan Coogler. Your favourite
movies? Memento, Rear Window,
Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Incredibles,
The Holiday,
Guardians of the Galaxy,
Alien and
Attack of the Block. ... and of course, films you really
deplore?
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The Purge and
Saw
series, as well as The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Your/your movie's website, social media,
whatever else? Here are all my links: Website:
https://asianmainstream.com/ YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@mariapicar5725 Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mariafepicar8/ Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/maria.picar.39 Anything else you're dying to
mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?
I am also a Chair and Hatha Yoga instructor, and the breathing that I've learned from both of these forms of Yoga helps keep me calm under
pressure. Thanks
for the interview! |
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