Your new movie The Listing
- in a few words, what is it about?
The
Listing is a
suspense thriller about a father and realtor who will do just
about ANYTHING to get his kidnapped son back.
To what degree could you identify with the lead character of The
Listing? And how far would you go when it comes to saving your
loved ones? I can identify
with the lead character of The
Listing a lot! I have a son who
is the world to me. If something ever happened to him and I was
put to the test, I would do just about anything. What were your sources of inspiration when
writing The Listing? It’s funny you
asked. When I first wrote the movie, I had read somewhere that a
realtor was held against their will when showing a house. That
is sort of what inspired the film premise. However, the film
took a different route when I was editing. I welcomed the birth
of our son and I really put my emotions from being a father and
the love I had for him into this film. How
would you describe The Listing's
approach to the thriller genre? I think The
Listing creates a good deal of suspense and also puts the
viewers in a guessing game situation. I feel it entertains throughout,
which is my goal as a filmmaker. With The
Listing taking place mostly in and around a particular house, what
can you tell us about your location, and what was it like filming there?
And with limited locations, what were some of your techniques to keep
things interesting visually?
Bernard Glincosky and Julie Stackhouse |
The location was
given to me by one of the producers. His parents owned the house
and they were very nice to let a film crew film there for like 7
days. It was a great spot because they let us do our thing
without interruption.
With
limited budgets and locations, you always have to constantly be
creative. To keep things interesting you have to really
constantly come up with ideas on the fly or even in post
production. What can you tell us about
your overall directorial approach to your story at hand? With this
story I wanted people to really feel for the main character,
Michael. Bernard Glincosky and I had worked on a film prior to
this together so we had some good chemistry. I would really
convey to him the feel of the scene or what Michael should be
expressing. He did a great job with it. I also wanted to really
keep the movie entertaining, without really giving a lull or
break in the storyline/action. Do
talk about your key cast, and why exactly these people?
John DiRenzo |
Bernard
Glincosky, John DiRenzo, Jessica Cameron [Jessica
Cameron interview - click here], Julie Stackhouse were
the key cast members for this movie. All of them did a really
good job in their roles.
Bernard
as I previously mentioned along with John DiRenzo worked with me
on my first film Deadly Gamble. I cast them early as I knew they
were dedicated, ferocious and go getters. I brought in Jessica
Cameron
because she’s a genre favorite and I had the perfect role for
her. Julie Stackhouse was cast later in the process and she did
a phenomenal job for me as well.
A
few words about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere? The shoot was
tough. It almost didn’t happen. Halfway through filming, the
budget started to get tight and we had a car accident on set
which cost s good deal of money. It came down to a meeting with
the cast and crew to see what we could do about continuing the
movie. We all pulled together and got the film done. The on set
atmosphere was business driven. We were all working for a common
goal - a great film. Anything
you can tell us about audience and critical reception of The
Listing? The
Listing is getting great feedback. The reviews have been great.
We actually made it on the shelves in a few Barnes and Noble
stores across the country which is crazy cool for an independent
filmmaker. Any future projects you'd like to
share? I have a
cult-like horror movie coming very soon titled, Human
Hibachi.
It’s very different, very cool.
What got you into filmmaking in the first place,
and did you receive any formal training on the subject?
Jessica Cameron |
I wrote a
screenplay in 2007. Was always a dream to see something I wrote
turned into a movie. I had no clue how to get it made and put it
away. I met my then girlfriend (now wife) in 2011. She read it
and said I should try and get it made. Again, having no clue
how, I set out to Facebook to try and look up producers. I ended
up finding one and we did a small project together. We had a
falling out but the things I learned from him is what led me to
where I am now. No formal training, self-taught. What
can you tell us about your filmwork prior to The
Listing? I wrote,
produced, directed and edited, Deadly Gamble. That was my first
feature film which was made on a $10,000 budget. It was signed
by Cinema Epoch for worldwide release. It was on Cable
VOD, EPIX, Google Play, Fandango Now and many others. How would you describe yourself as a
director? Very thorough. Filmmakers who inspire you? Martin Scorsese,
Tarantino, John Carpenter. Your
favourite movies?
Halloween,
Goodfellas, Pulp Fiction, Rocky.
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Feeling lucky? Want to search any of my partnershops yourself for more, better results? (commissions earned) |
The links below will take you just there!!!
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Your/your movie's website, Facebook, whatever
else?
@MarioCerritoIII on Facebook (verified account)
is my fanpage.
@TheListing is The
Listing page.
@CerritoProductions is my production page. Anything else you're dying to mention and I have
merely forgotten to ask? You asked some
good stuff! Keep looking out for my future work! Thanks for the interview!
Thank you!!
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