Andreia Solomon Burke - Interview

Who's your biggest fan?

I don't have a fan.

What brings you inspiration the most?

The love and truth.

Which actor or director would you like to work with?

With any actor or director.

For my future project I would like to work with Lea Seydoux.

Of course, that can be many other actors.

Have you ever seen a film that was better than the book?

I've never read a book other than pulp fiction. I can't remember the comparison.

What's the movie that taught you the most?

This question cannot be reduced to one film. I'll give you some examples.

Aguirre, The Wrath of God by Werner Herzog, The Mission by Roland Joffe, Tous les Matins du Monde by Alain Corneau, Jean Florette by Claude Berri,

Manon's Revenge by Claude Berri, Apocalypse Now by Francis Ford Coppola, Hugo Cabret by Martin Scorsese, Duel on the Missouri by Arthur Penn, Barry Lindon by Stanley Kubrick, The Dissident by Bryan Fogel, The Gospel of John by Philip Saville,

About your artistic career, have you ever had the desire to quit everything?

Yes. There are moments when I question everything. But that doesn't last long.

On set what excites you the most?

I've only done documentaries so far.

And what scares you the most ?

That we must die.

What's your next project?

I'm working on several projects at the same time. I can't say at the moment which one will be finished first.

You can steal the career of an artist you really admire, who do you choose?

Martin Scorsese, Ridley Scott,

An actor/director/screenplayer is made of....

A body, a bio-psycho-social causal chain and a mind. A desire to follow  his passion. An instrument, a storyteller, a medium, a teacher, a prophet if in possession of Gnosis.

For you Cinema is....

Therapy, Art form, Communication tool, Mentalization aid, Reflection aid, Teaching aids, A spiritual process because it has to do with sharing,

A window into the past, An art form for the development of potential, A support and an orientation on the way to truth,

Do you think Black and white movies have a powerful impact?

Yes, of course.

Have you ever dreamed of winning an Oscar?

No, but from other situations related to film.

Do you think you're gonna win it?

Everything is possible .

What was the biggest challenge you faced in making your films?

Landing a dream inspired by a musical composition and from there the beginning to find the work team, the financial resources and finally the result has to be like the dream.

Do you have a favorite genre to work in? Why is it your favorite?

Astro art is art related to astronomy, which in my case is the music inspired by the stars that is exhibited in the fulldome cinema and VR (virtual reality) images that merge with music and astronomy… it fascinates me.

What’s your all-time favorite movie and why?

Interstellar. It is a film that moved me because of its space-time relationship with the distance from the family, the human and tender aspects of science fictionthe  script  and interpretation... I shed tears watching it

If you could work with anyone in the world, who would that person be?

With anyone who supports Astro - Art and understands the message of Piano under the Stars and Cosmic Caverns.

Tell us a secret that nobody knows about you...

My inner world is silent deep and connected.

The one person who has truly believed in you?

A  woman  that has been very important in my career and in my life.

What was the most important lesson you had to learn as a filmmaker?

A great dream is possible to land with perseverance, conviction, good relationships, a team that believes in you, and having a work of audiovisual art.

Is it harder to get started or to keep going?

The hardest thing is to start then continue... is a great challenge.

On set, the most important thing is:

What I interpret playing at the moment … is real.

The project(s) you’re most proud of:

Movie fulldome  Piano Under The Stars , Cosmic Caverns, Luces del infinito, 321 Despegue documentary film Bosque Hueco , Buscando la Luz.

The most challenging project you worked on. And why?

The fulldome movie Piano Under the Stars, being able to put together a team , finding a good visual director Juan Carlos Vidal, the time it was made that ended during the covid  that it was very difficult to schedule delivery times since we were working in two different countries, I from Spain and the visual team in Chile and then the different meetings in the United States for its distribution in those difficult times of travel. But it was possible thanks to the musicians, sound engineer visual arts,  advisors, audiovisual studios friends  and family . This film won 33 awards during the years 2020 / 2023.  incredibly happy…

What are your short term and long term career goals?

New musical compositions, new visual scripts, continue exhibiting my recent films in planetariums and dome theaters. Live concerts with visual support of my films.

Your next projects?

Visual series program of 4 chapters, fulldome movie.

Please share with us where people can find you social media:

www.claudiorecabarren.com

https://www.facebook.com/claudio.recabarren

https://www.instagram.com/recabarren.claudio/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCgPaNYhvrc&list=PLuSbUM1IEC6K-UmK77hyY4SSDmElKb9TY

Two films that have marked your life for better or for worse...

Two films I associate with marking life events for me are my 2010 student film “The Man in the White Room” and my 2017 short film “The Girl in the White Room.” These films both are set in the same universe and mark vastly different time periods in my career as a filmmaker. The films are about individuals who find themselves in a mysterious white room with no doors or windows and must find means to escape. “Man” was shot when I was 16 for a high school photography class and features actors who were friends from my church. It was the longest project I had made up to that point and my first to involve heavy use of special effects, explore psychological and spiritual themes, and feature an original score. “Girl” was shot when I was 24 and really marks an evolution in both my film career and spiritual development as it was the first film I made in Indianapolis and after I had learned Transcendental Meditation and became a Freemason. The advancement of my filmmaking skills and the depth of the themes presented in “Girl” compared to “Man” demonstrates well how far I had advanced as a filmmaker at that point. There is a possibility I will make more “White Room” films in the future to be markers for different points in my life and career.

What do you think about filmmaking schools?

Filmmaking schools provide a wonderful opportunity for experts in the film/television industry to share their knowledge and teach filmmaking techniques to those who aspire to become filmmakers and allow a playground of sorts for students to develop their filmmaking styles and put the fundamentals of film/video production into practice. I took filmmaking and photography classes in both high school and college and had wonderful experiences with my professors and classmates. I am especially thankful to my high school radio/TV teacher Randy Brist who taught me the basics of video production and inspired a deeper appreciation of cinema and my college professor Susanne Schwibs who got me my first internship and taught me how to shoot on actual celluloid film cameras. It is amazing to see some of my classmates now working in Hollywood, especially my high school classmate Derrick Childers, who designed the creature effects for Sister. Derrick and I were in the same radio/TV class, and some of our earliest student video productions were made together, so it was really cool to come full circle with him on Sister.

Have you ever hated your ambitions?

I never would say I hated my ambitions, but sometimes in the past, my plans for film projects did not always fall through. There were some projects I developed or started production on that had to be canceled due mostly to scheduling conflicts with actors/ actresses. One of these projects was my college senior thesis film titled “Troubled Times,” which was a Scorsese-style crime drama about street gang members in the 1970s. We filmed about a third of the short film before the lead actor had to leave production because of an off-set back injury which resulted in the project’s cancelation. I had high ambitions at the time that the movie would be my “ticket to Hollywood,” so I was devastated when we had to cancel the production, and for a brief moment, my film career felt like it was over. It was at this same time that I had a falling out with my female classmate/romantic interest (whom I thought we would together become the “John and Yoko” of filmmakers), my childhood dog died, and my aunt was dying of cancer, so the loss of that film was yet another dark turn for the worse. I remember walking out in the middle of a dark, snowy night to reflect on everything at that moment and burying my face in the snow alone in an open field on campus. I let the grief consume me, but I told myself, “You will get through this, and it may not be how you thought it would turn out, but you will still achieve your dreams.” So I got myself up, wiped my frozen tears away, turned the music on my iPhone (“Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac played), and took the first steps of the rest of my life, leading to a brighter future filled with many more incredible films we have created in the years since.

Francois Truffaut used to think that "Film Lovers are sick people”... was he right?

Haha. I am not sure of the context of Truffaut’s quote, but I would have to disagree. Film is the ultimate artistic medium and can create significant change and inspiration in the viewers, so those who admire film would definitely be more enlivened individuals and not sick people.

Close your eyes...if I say “Cinema” what do you see?

I’m sitting in a movie theater and the lights go down the screen widens to project a new movie that takes me to another world.

Who’s the Director\Actor\Writer that taught you the most?

I could answer Werner Herzog, Jeffrey Katzenberg, or one of the other many famous filmmakers I have met over the years or the filmmakers who have influenced me creatively such as David Lynch, George Lucas, Paul Thomas Anderson, or Stanley Kubrick, but really I have learned the most from working closely with the main actresses of the Sister film series. Vasudha Krishnamoorthy, Andi E., Gabrielle Bousum, and Suzy Mu all are quite talented actresses and have taught me how to better develop strong working relationships with cast members and how to improve myself as a director, especially in communicating with them. Good communication is key to getting one’s ideas transferred more fully to another individual and is thus necessary to achieve an artist’s vision. I appreciate how well the actresses and I communicate and get along well together, bringing my vision for the film and their performance and embodiment of the character in sync.

About your job, tell us your biggest dream and your worst nightmare...

In my career as a filmmaker, my greatest dream would be to create several high-quality original films that carry deep meaning and significance and leave a lasting positive impact on viewers and are worthy to be included in the National Film Registry and other prestigious institutions. As to the 2nd part of that question, my worst nightmare for my future as a filmmaker would be to be stuck working on some stupid “Marvel rip-off” movie in a position where I have no creative input and work with low-toned individuals.

How important is to have a good Cinematographic Culture?

It is quite important to be well-cultured in cinema for one to be a good filmmaker. By seeing how other films are produced, one can get inspiration for their own works and possibly even develops techniques to achieve a similar or greater effect through their original films. It also is necessary to have a diverse knowledge of cinema in order to be familiar with the trends and be aware of audience expectations for specific types of films or film genres. This knowledge allows filmmakers to either conform to the appropriate styles of the films he or she is trying to create or subvert expectations but in a way that the audience can still accept the work.

What would you like to improve as a Filmmaker\Actor\Writer?

I would love to be at a point in my film career where I can afford higher-quality filmmaking equipment and pay the talent involved in our films, but the small budgets I currently work with definitely have made me more creative in my ability to achieve my creative visions given the limited resources at our disposal. Sister only cost about $5,000 to produce, and we saved on lots of costs by using locations we had access to through organizations we are involved in such as my church St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (which is the real-life church where the movie The Fault in Our Stars takes place) and my Freemasons lodge Broad Ripple Masonic Lodge #643. It will be interesting to see what I am able to do one of these days when I get hired by a studio to make a big-budget film or the financial backing of investors for my own independent work.

A big producer gives you the chance to direct\to play (in) the remake of one of your favorite black and white movies (if you have one)... what film do you choose?

I would choose the film It’s a Wonderful Life. I do not believe the film should ever be remade, but it definitely is my favorite black-and-white film and one that has influenced me deeply as a creative artist. Its cinematography and themes of religion and spirituality had a significant influence on the development of Sister.

Film Industry it’s a tough place and sometimes is normal to feel lost and discouraged... who’s the person that keeps you motivated?

The people that keep me motivated are my actors/actresses and close collaborators. I feel a responsibility to create high-quality films because it is just not my film career that I want to see succeed but the careers of those whom I work with on the films. Even if I don’t end up as a “Hollywood” filmmaker, I want to see the actresses I have collaborated with find huge successes in their careers and develop into stars.

Alfred Hitchcock said: "To make a good film you need 3 things: The script, the script and the script". Do you agree with him?

Haha. The script is definitely important; it is to the filmmaker when making a film what the blueprints are to the architect when designing a building. However, I like to have some fluidity in the production of our films. I usually write an outline detailing all the scenes I want to shoot and hit all the story beats, but when it comes to the script itself, I usually write the specifics for dialogue and blocking of scenes shortly before filming in order to be more flexible with the cast’s schedules and any changes that may occur due to weather, illness, loss of location, or other factors. I also like to allow the actors and actresses in my films to bring their own input to the script to make the production a more collaborative effort.

What’s your most ambitious project for the future?

It is my hope that Sister and its sequels will spawn a franchise if the success we have had so far continues to build. The sequels address the aftermath of the first Sister movie and introduce new nun characters Sister Mariana (Andi E.), Sister Katharine (Gabrielle Bousum), and Sister Rey (Suzy Mu). The same goes for our new comedy film Frieda from Attica which also stars Vasudha, so it is exciting to see our filmmaking partnership continue to develop over time, and I look forward to making more films and creative projects with her.

I also recently have gotten into music as a songwriter and band manager for artists/ bands such as Shakeeda, Anza (who also stars in Sister), Little Drummer Boy, and Borracho Caddies. Definitely looking forward to the albums and music videos we will create together. I also previously made music videos for the band Ross Hollow, whose concert film I produced has won at various music video festivals.

My most ambitious single project for the future though is a historical drama about the 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe, which was a major battle between the United States and the Shawnee that ultimately led to Indiana becoming a state and serves as an example of the overall conflict between the United States and Native Americans as a whole, and the ramifications of the battle through various points in time. It is a film that would be really personal to me as the battle took place near Lafayette, Indiana, where I grew up, so the film would serve as a vehicle to bring to life the history of America through the lens of my hometown. I definitely will want to be more established in my film career and utilize a

big budget to do the story justice, but it is a passion project I have been developing for the past several years that I want to make more than any other project in the future.

Do you think that sadness or at least melancholy lets you be more creative?

Creativity is aligned with positive energy, which comes about through joy and happiness. While there is a certain beauty that can be derived from melancholy music and films, being sad or melancholic while filming does not help in the creative process. It is necessary to build positive energy and be in full communication between the cast and crew in order for the appropriate vision to be manifest in reality.

What do you wish for yourself as a Filmmaker/Writer?

I just hope to continue to evolve my filmmaking skills and capabilities and make creative films that are original and come from the heart and soul. I would like to continue to make films with Vasudha as she is so talented as an actress/filmmaker and is such an amazing presence who brings great joy to my life. I feel like I am living more fully into my creative purpose when making projects with her, and we help each other grow as an actress and a filmmaker respectively. Someday it would be great to have our film work in the National Film Registry so it will be preserved for all eternity so I can share my films with future generations to come. Just as I love movies made by filmmakers who have been long gone, I hope people who don’t even exist yet will see my work. To bright futures ahead!

For you a Film is...

A grand opportunity to tell a story using one of the great Twentieth Century art forms.



What do you feel when you're acting/directing/writing?

Excitement… and the most authentic ‘high’. Think back to the sixties. ‘The High’ was sometimes drug and/or alcohol induced. ART however, gives one the opportunity to create, transcend and then hopefully share.



Can you live just of your passion?

No.



What's more important talent or luck?

It depends on the situation.



You must go to a desert island but you can bring with you just one movie... 

Let’s go back to my film influencers being first the old 1951 (black and white) classic film ‘A Christmas Carol’ with Alister Sim as Scrooge.  In Sci Fi  ‘12 Monkeys’. Yet as to musicals ‘My Fair Lady (G. B. Shaw play) adapted by Lerner and Lowe.  And finally, as to espionage fiction, the first three James Bourne films were excellent.

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Have you ever accepted a part/ a movie to direct/ a script to write even
if you didn't like the project?

Not yet.



What's the best compliment you have received about your Job?

That I was imaginative, creative, and relentless.



Are you satisfied about your career?

I work for the Salvation Army as a sales associate to survive now. But as a human being, to create art and be loved by my daughters is fulfilling enough. 

Do you have a good luck charm?      

 I go to church once in a while to transcend. That’s about it.



Which is the worst moment on set ?

 Search me. I was mostly involved with stage theater. And what a grand opportunity all of that was.



How do you feel when a job you've been part of it's ending?

There is always a little regret when anything ends, but I look to the future for another adventure.



Have you ever lied to get a part/job?

Are you looking for a job with the FBI or CIA? Well, I think most people are truthful, but sometimes one exaggerates. What about you?


If you should win an Oscar your first taught would go to…

As the dreams go, I would hope, I would think of those who made the award possible for me.

Francis, who would you dream of playing the main characters William and Olga in your TV pilot script - "Dancing with Spies"?

Someone like Ethan Hawke would be a grand choice for the CIA computer whiz WILLIAM.  But as for who would play OLGA his lover, this all-important ex KGB Russian agent, who after twenty-five years is still in love with William in 2014; will be a challenge, for besides being beautiful and smart, she can be on occasion somewhat funny and entertaining. Yet most of all she is a driven professional, who understands her strengths and weaknesses in the craft of espionage. And please remember, that the TV pilot of 2014 timeline occurs over a three-month period. In any case, I would love a talented Russian actress if possible. On another unique matter, I cannot emphasize how important my award-winning novel manuscript The Dancing Spies @Goddess with its important supporting and expanded storytelling can be. As to physical structure, it is divided into three main parts over a twenty-seven-year period.                                                                        

A good example of how important… becomes evident when examining what I refer to as, the ‘To Die For’ scene occurring at a Virginia Drive Inn (found in Part II - Prior Times of Olga and William section, on pages 47 to 54, titled  ‘OCTOBER 1989 CIA Mission Report (Clandestinely retrieved by Olga from William Fagan’s personal computer)’. Here, after the Drive Inn incident, Olga must come to a sense of reality in knowing how much William really loves her, for he risked his life to protect and rescue her. Also remember, this is during 1989, as the Soviet Union is about to come apart in its internal chaos. And as well, consider during Olga’s dangerous mission… where the hell were her Soviet comrades during all the sex, murder, and mayhem? 

Who's your biggest fan?

My family is probably my biggest fan along with my friends. 

What brings you inspiration the most?

Spending time with things I enjoy probably is the best source of inspiration, whether it is with friends or family, taking time to immerse myself in media I enjoy like movies or games or books. 

Which actor or director would you like to work with?

That's a tough one, I'd probably love to work with Pete Docter, Hajime Isayama or Brad Bird. 

Have you ever seen a film that was better than the book?

I don't think I've seen a film better than the book, If anything it might be the Disney Adaptions of the old Hans Christian Andersen and Brothers Grimm stories. 

What's the movie that taught you the most?

I think the movie that taught me the most would be Wolf Children by Mamoru Hosoda. It just really brought a whole new light to Motherhood and really made me appreciate my parents for all the sacrifices they made for the life I have now.   

About your artistic career, have you ever had the desire to quit everything?

Yes, I think about quitting all the time. With careers fueled with creativity, it can be really difficult to always keep up and it can be very draining. But I truly do love what I do and I always find myself feeling incomplete if I'm not creating. If you ever do feel that way, just know it's okay to take a break and slow down, sometimes not being artistic is the best thing you can do to improve your skills and inspiration. 

On set what excites yuo the most?

In the animation field, we don't really have an in-person set as live-action does. However, something similar would be the creation process, when we're brain-storing ideas and working on bringing them to fruition. The most exciting part is definitely seeing how all the scattered puzzle pieces slowly come together and you finally have a completed shot. It's really satisfying. 

And what scares you the most ?

The part that scares me the most would be when everything just goes wrong, it's a bit trickier when you're with other people since you have disagreements and such. But when you work so hard on something, months of time and effort and in the end you just have to scrap it. It's probably more disheartening than scary. 

What's your next project?

I'm Currently working as a Designer in the industry. It's nice to slow down with a 9-6 job after hectic school years of pumping out films and pulling all-nighters every day. I'm currently brainstorming some ideas for a future Comic or even film but that's a really long terms project that's still at the idea stage. 

You can steal the career of an artist you really admire, who do you choose?

If I could steal the Career of an artist I might choose Omocat or maybe Usman Riaz. I intervened at Mano Studios which Usman had founded. They are currently working on their first feature film, being there with everyone was really inspiring, and seeing how passionate everyone has really inspired me in thinking about going the indie route and creating a studio or small business of my own. The same goes with Omocat, She's also someone who has her own business and art studio. A career path like that is something that really intrigues me. 

An actor/director/screenplayer is made of....

An Actor/Director/The screenplay is made of patience, creativity and openness to improvement. Someone who thinks outside the box and is open to criticism because they care more about improving rather than being right. 

For you Cinema is....

For me, Cinema is pure wonder and cleverness. The ability to make people feel, to change minds and alter perceptions. To inspire and cause the audience to believe and be immersed I feel is successful media One that cares about telling a story as their main drive rather than getting a particular point across. 

Do you think Black and white movies have a powerful impact?

Yes, I think Black and white cinema has a very powerful impact. we studied them a lot during college and I got to understand why so many people are fond of them. When you have a lack of colour and all the other fancy tools we have these days you don't have distractions and have to rely purely on visual storytelling in Black and white films. You tend to focus more on Acting, silhouettes and camera angles which are crucial for effective cinema. Also, the lack of colour helped us easily spot good compositions and contrast which could be harder to spot in modern-day films.  

Have you ever dreamed of winning an Oscar?

Haha, yes I have dreamed of winning an Oscar, I think a lot of filmmakers have. 

Do you think you're gonna win it?

Will I win it? Hmm, maybe who knows? I think I was a lot more determined to win an Oscar when I was younger but now I think rather than winning one I care more about making good films. I've seen so many amazing films miss out on an Oscar and that made me question how much winning it would really mean to me. How much of getting an Oscar is determined by good filmmaking compared to having the right connections and prestige?  It would still be amazing to win one Of course but I don't think that's my end-all-be-all goal. 

How old you were when you decided you wanted to be an actor?

I was 5 years old when I decided to become a painter, and I have never wavered in my decision. 

The thought of becoming an actor never entered my mind when I was young. It was always painting or drawing that attracted me and enabled me to engage my creative nature. It was always something to do consciously and with creativity, which I enjoyed a lot. Then when I moved from Switzerland to London for college, and I discovered that I liked directing a creative piece rather than being in it during my studies in London. 



For you a Film is...

Film is a medium I use to depict a subject matter in my artwork. As I am inherently a painter, I tend to relate everything to painting. My visual concepts are all from paintings, and I use my drawings for my film and video. 



What do you feel when you're acting/directing?

I have fun directing a performance or film. I like the excitement that comes with directing. When I am with an actor, singer, or dancer, I feel excited. My ideas become clearer when I decide to work with an actor. 


You can go to the Movies with an actor that you love. What kind of movie do you choose and with who you're gonna watch it?

I would go with my favorite actors Ewan McGregor, Woo Sung Jung, and Seung Heon Song and actresses Meryl Streep, Elizabeth Winstead, and Jun Ji Hyun. We would watch an action film together. 


Audrey Hepburn used to say “Nothing is Impossible”, what do you think about it?

Hepburn’s quote is truly inspiring because I realize that what we do always helps build us up. She was speaking about self-confidence, self-doubt, and believing in yourself. Keep questioning yourself, plan your move accordingly, and keep working until you make your dream a reality. A combination of self-doubt and overthinking could be the worst thing, which is why we become our own worst enemy. I try to answer myself and ask for help when overthinking happens.


Can you live just of your passion?

No you need money as well to achieve your passion. I think these two go together in my experience as an artist. As I am taking off on this journey, I get excited about the opportunities opening up to me for my feature film. 


What's more important talent or luck?

You need both these days to survive as an artist—although not everyone has talent, I guess. Talent is natural and luck is luck...so I guess talent is more important. 



You must go to a desert island but you can bring with you just one movie...

It would have to be my own movie, The Eclipse Recognized by the Sound. This film is very dear to me in that it depicts all my memories of moments of fear, happiness, and dreams. It was also my first film using actors. 



Have you ever accepted a part/ a movie to direct/ a script to write even if you didn't like the project?

Well, there was a project where the subject matter was new to me, but I liked doing the research for it. This project was for Sulwhasoo (a Korean cosmetic brand). I was invited to their annual Sulwha Cultural Exhibition in 2016. I was commissioned to respond to the most popular Korean traditional tale, “The two love stars: Altair and Vega,” at the Sulwhasoo flagship store in Seoul. Thanks to this exhibition, I learned many things related to the Korean traditional tale. I always like learning new things, but this was a fun project that resulted in a 2D animation production. 



What's the best compliment you have received about your Job?


Well, I wouldn’t call it a job, but for my artwork I have received comments such as “you did an amazing job on your performance piece/innovative film and are a compelling nominee.” When I get such compliments, I get excited about my next project and get the courage to plan for a bigger project, which I am doing now. 


Are you satisfied about your career?

I am so excited about my new work, which is a documentary film that includes dance in it. I can’t wait to share my upcoming performances in 2023.

 

Do you have a good luck charm? 

Bokjori (a lucky bag) is said to bring good luck if hung inside the house from New Year's Eve to New Year's Day in Korea. I have many of these at home, but I cannot say that they have given me any luck in life. I usually don’t believe in these sayings. I rely on working hard on my artworks. I believe you can make things happen if you keep trying your best in your passion, which I feel is more important than luck. 

Which is the worst moment on set ?

The worst is when I must change my plans because of a financial situation. I try to stick to my plan as much as I can, but yes this would give me problems when planning a set for a film. 



How do you feel when a job you've been part of it's ending?

When the exhibition or performance is over, I usually feel a great sense of satisfaction with the project. When a critic approaches me with feedback about my work, I learn more about what I could do better in my project. Talking to critics has helped a lot.  



Have you ever lied to get a part/job?

Not really. I am a very down-to-earth person.

 

If you should win an Oscar your first taught would go to....

I would thank my entire team and my family for their tremendous support. I think I would also immediately start thinking about my next project. What I want to achieve in my next project always comes to my mind when I finish my current project, so if I won an Oscar—the greatest award—I would be even more excited for my next project. 

First and last cinematographic crush?

My first cinematographic crush… that’s a tough one. It’s between Emma Stone and Emma Watson. There’s just something about those Emmas haha. My last/latest cinematographic crush is probably Awkwafina. I think she’s hilarious, and that’s a good way to make me fall for you haha. That or Michelle Yeoh, but that’s kind of been an ongoing thing.  

How old you were when you decided you wanted to be an actor/director?

Ever since I can remember. Probably 5 years old. I always wanted to be an action star. I was always pretending to fight imaginary ninjas and I just always wanted to be the cool guy. 

For you a Film is…

Captivating. It captures a vibe that otherwise would be intangible or unknown. It is a medium in which any form of expression can be conveyed. It is a modern art of the age old tradition of story telling. A film is a way of connecting to people on multiple levels. A good film will have you philosophizing about life long after the credits have rolled.  

What do you feel when you're acting/directing?

Stress. Haha just kidding, although that is part of it. But I feel passion, alive, and adrenaline. I feel almost more human when I’m doing these things. It highlights all the emotions and things that make us who we are. It’s an elating feeling. I suppose that best answers the question: elated. 

You can go to the Movies with an actor/director/screenplayer that you love. What kind of movie do you choose and with who you're gonna whatch it?

Easy. Donnie Yen. I would definitely have to choose an action movie. I would love to get a breakdown of any fight scenes from him in real time, and just talk to him about the industry and what he thinks makes an action film click. Then I may leave the movie early and try to put together a fight scene with him in the parking lot haha. 

Audrey Hepburn used to say “Nothing is Impossible”, what do you think about it?

The true definition of impossible: Difficult. 

Can you live just of your passion?

I would like to say yes to this. However, any good artist knows that passion alone doesn’t pay the bills. It does however make life worth living. Life without passion wouldn’t be worth living, so I suppose it would go hand in hand. You need passion to have fruitful life, however having passion alone will end up having you fall short. As in everything in life, balance is key. 

What's more important talent or luck?

Both are important. Luck can get you in there door, but talent will keep you there. Talent will also get you in the door, but luck is much less likely to keep you there. I think talent is more important because it’s a skill you can actually hone in on. Luck is just that, you’re either lucky or you’re not. It can’t be practiced and disciplined into something more whereas talent can. Ideally you’d have both, but talent is much more important and long-lasting. 

You must go to a desert island but you can bring with you just one movie…

Besides Lord of the Rings? Probably Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Have you ever accepted a part/ a movie to direct/ a script to write even if you didn't like the project?

You haven’t been in the industry long enough if you have never participated in a project you didn’t like or believe in. Especially when you’re first starting off. Anyone who has been lucky enough to love every project they’ve done or been in, just know we are all envious of you haha.

What's the best compliment you have received about your Job?

The best compliment I’ve received was on my film Just Another Day in Reno, which is a action comedy, was when I got a phone call from a friend in the industry whom I look up to and they were crying from laughing so hard. They could barely speak to me on the phone as they called me immediately after literally howling and couldn’t even get the words out to congratulate me. Technically it was the best compliment I never actually got because they couldn’t get the words out. 

Are you satisfied about your career?

Never and always. I am always satisfied with where I’m at, no matter where it is in life and in my career. However, I do know that I can always do more and be better on my next projects. Never settle, always hungry, and content with everything in between. 

Do you have a good luck charm?

The faith I have in myself to do good is enough. 

Which is the worst moment on set?

There’s been a few. There is one that sticks out more than others, but I will say overall the worst moment is when the production comes to a wrap and you have to say goodbye to your 2nd family that you have made during filming. 

How do you feel when a job you've been part of it's ending?

-Bittersweet. Depends on the job also haha. Usually relieved that the job is done and now the next project can be worked on. Also a bit sad. Some jobs you want to last forever because of the people that are part of it become like family or you really like the role that you are doing, but alas, all things must come to an end eventually. 

Have you ever lied to get a part/job?

I can’t say I have. There was one roll I took on that I didn’t have the full experience they asked for, but between the filming time and the time I got the role I had practiced what I needed (which was rock climbing) enough in time by the film date that nobody was the wiser. 

If you should win an Oscar your first taught would go to….

Let me get back to you guys on this as soon as I win that Oscar. 

Who's your biggest fan?

Probably John Goodman.

What brings you inspiration the most?

Stimulating conversation.

Which actor or director would you like to work with?

Jordan Peele

Have you ever seen a film that was better than the book?

No.

What's the movie that taught you the most?

Edward Scissorhands

About your artistic career, have you ever had the desire to quit everything?

Every day. It would be an easy thing to do.

On set what excites you the most?

Solving that puzzle.

And what scares you the most?

Not solving that puzzle.

What's your next project?

Not Our Problem Dude: NOPD Through the Pandemic

You can steal the career of an artist you really admire, who do you choose?

BJ Novak

An actor/director/screenplayer is made of.... 

Evoked emotions.

For you, Cinema is.... 

A gateway to a safe space. A mindful exercise.

Do you think Black and white movies have a powerful impact?

I don't think it's safe to say they didn't have an impact. They showed everyone how to make it work with what you have.

Have you ever dreamed of winning an Oscar?

No, that seems arrogant. 

Do you think you're gonna win it?

No, that seems arrogant.

Which is the best Moment on set?

My best moment on set is when everyone is suddenly in sync making all their parts come together to become one to make everything happen on film both in front and behind the camera.

Did anyone ever tell you weren't good enough?

I’ve always been encouraged to go for it and haven’t had anyone tell me I’m wasting my time though I do have detractors that remind me I'm not making any money. Not yet....

How can you stay focused on your goal?

I stay focused on my goal because I enjoy the pursuit itself and that’s good enough.

Have you ever had a breakdown because of your Job?

I’ve never been stressed about film making because it’s not how I pay the bills and that makes all the difference.

Talent is a blessing or a curse?

I think talent can be both a blessing and a curse. It is so satisfying to pursue and succeed at something that you naturally gravitate to, but to aspire to something that you are somehow unable to ever reach for or achieve for would be soul crushing.

What would you like to improve about yourself as an actor/director, screenplay?

I would like to improve my work discipline as a writer because I have grand ideas while my fortitude snoozes in the background.

What's the worst critic you have received?

 honestly haven’t had a bad critique yet. That might sound puffed-up, but I’ve only made one video and it’s been well received winning over 140 awards so far.

If you weren't an actor/director/screenplayer what would you like to be? 

If I wasn’t writing or performing, I would like to direct. It combines all the aspects of production into one job, and you get an invaluable hands-on oversight in the creation of something.

If Cinema was a color what would it be?

If Cinema were a color, I think it would be blue. The softness of the deep hues contrasting with the fluorescent brightness of the lighter ends of the spectrum well represents the perception of Cinema upon the psyche

A day without a movie is...

A day without a movie is a day spent lost in your own ideas for movies. That’s not a bad thing at all.

If someone offered you to play/write in/a movie that you despice but that for sure will make you rich and famous...would you accept the job?

I would take part in a film I didn’t like, and then I would do my absolute best with whatever I had to work with. Even if it was crap, I could feel that I did my part in the production to my gut-wrenching best and would have nothing to regret.

What's your greatest ambition?

My greatest ambition is to create something within my niche that really reaches people on some level. To get the message that I want to say out there in front and have it really become effective.

What's your biggest fear?

My biggest fear is giving up.

Does music helps you to play/direct, write?

Music helps me in all facets of creation, and it has always been a driving and motivating force in my life.

You have the chance to make a Silent movie, what's your message to the audience?

My silent movie message would be “Believe your own eyes”.

Share your speech if you should win an Oscar.....

If I won the Oscar, I would thank all my friends and family that have stood with me and encouraged me throughout all my endeavors, whether they were successful or failures. Mostly failures. Thanks to my directors and producers that were so instructive and inspirational. Thanks to my fellow performers and writers for their assistance in my understanding of the craft. And thanks most of all to those that enjoyed my work. That is the most rewarding fete of all.