Your new movie Dealings
- in a few words, what is it about?
Well,
Dealings
is abput unscrupulous people doing what they do best - lying, cheating, thieving and sometimes worse. At least for me, Dealings
has a definite film noir vibe to it - was that at all intentional, and is
that a genre at all dear to you? The decision to go noir was always the intention. The genre has
always intrigued me and I wanted to test my range as a teller of
stories. (Other) sources of
inspiration when writing Dealings? Well I definitely took a page from early
Coen brothers work as well
as a touch of Tarantino to put this little piece together. I also took
inspiration from a series of tragic events in my personal life where two
of the dearest people that helped in my upbringing passed within 4
months of each other and I witnessed a feeding frenzy amongst loved ones
that still hasn't found resolve. It showed me people from all walks of
life can have a desperation for need and want. Like insects or animals
eating the carcass of something that ceases to exist. Ugly stuff.
Dealings
isn't a film that exactly shies away from getting bloody - so do talk
about the violent bits in your movie for a bit! I felt that although
dealing (pun) with a different genre and subject
matter I just had to be Rodriguez and give you some red. The gore is
minor but effective in this piece, and I hope the critics appreciat it as
I was behind the SFX makeup. What can
you tell us about your overall directorial approach to your story at hand?
Yes, and I am glad you ask this. I shot a majority of the movie in a
wide aspect as for the reason I felt none of these characters needed any
form of sympathy from the audience ,and bringing them into tight shots to
show their contempt for one another was a choice. These are characters
in real life I'd warn you to stay clear of.
Do
talk about your key cast, and why exactly these people?
The cast were mostly people I've worked with before in some capacity
and knew they could bring the intensity I needed in each performance. I
did a few character breakdowns with a couple of actors that were new to
my direction, but in the end everyone brought their A game and it shows. A
few words about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere? The shoot was as smooth as butter. Everyone on the team was a
complete joy to work with and we wrapped the complete shoot in three
days. I had a top notch team. The
$64-question of course, where can Dealings
be seen? I am debating that at the moment. I may do a one time premiere online
via YouTube or Facebook, Then eventually put it away until I find a
suitable place for it such as an episodic show or anthology. The
producers and I would actually like to expand on the idea and re-write
it feature length with more character development. Only the future will
tell.
Anything you can tell us about audience and
critical reception of Dealings? I can only hope they see the dynamic in my abilities to tell
interesting stories and that they don't always have to involve fictional
ghouls and monsters. Any
future projects you'd like to share? Oh yes! Tons! I have just wrapped as a co-producer on a
feature titled Dead Community Guild featuring the iconic Eric Roberts,
get this! Shot on Kodak film. I also play Brother Charles in Realm of
Shadows starring Tony Todd, Vernon Wells and Mel Novak. I have the long
awaited Last American Horror Show Vol. 2 releasing worldwide this fall,
and Lake of Shadows: The Legend of Avocado Lake getting some theatrical
premieres and a release in 2022. It's been a decent year. Your/your movie's
website, social media, whatever else?
Please find me and my movie pages on Facebook under
Michael S.
Rodriguez and Instagram @mrsstudios1
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Anything else
you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?
Not necessarily a mention, but a beautiful period at the end of the
conversation:
"I'll never take for granted to opportunities I've been given to
live out what I only dreamt about as an 8 year old wide-eyed boy. Never!" Thanks
for the interview!
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