DALLAS IFF 2010 Video Interview: Producer Adam Donaghey, Actor Matt Socia and Writer/Director Clay Liford (EARTHLING)

EARTHLING is a sci-fi film about a woman named Judith (Rebecca Spence) who begins to learn that life isn’t really what it has always seemed to be; and with the help of a young girl named Abby (Amelia Turner), she begins to learn some very shocking truths.

During the Dallas International Film Festival, I spoke with producer Adam Donaghey, star Matt Socia and writer/director/producer Clay Liford about the film. Socia talks a little about what it’s like having a day job and pursuing his dream of acting and Donaghey fills the shoes of LeVar Burton and tell us a little story about how important it is not to leave film footage in your car. Check out the interview after the break. Continue reading “DALLAS IFF 2010 Video Interview: Producer Adam Donaghey, Actor Matt Socia and Writer/Director Clay Liford (EARTHLING)” →

DALLAS IFF 2010 Video Interview: Actors Lou Taylor Pucci, Trevor Morgan, Jon Foster (BROTHERHOOD)

BROTHERHOOD is a film that swept not only my heart (as I pronounced in our SXSW Podcast), but also swept the Audience Award for a Narrative film at both SXSW and Dallas IFF. In the film, fraternity brothers must work together to get through one of the hardest and most trying events they’ve ever dealt with– a shot friend. But can they keep the brotherly love while trying to escape the consequences of their actions?

One of the biggest factors for BROTHERHOOD is its cast, who really take the film to the next level by providing astounding performances. Their chemistry in the film is only overshadowed by their real life chemistry, which was very apparent while I interviewed the three main stars Lou Taylor Pucci, Trevor Morgan and Jon Foster. As it turns out that all three of them happen to have been very close friends before shooting began. You can check out their chemistry yourself, after the break. Continue reading “DALLAS IFF 2010 Video Interview: Actors Lou Taylor Pucci, Trevor Morgan, Jon Foster (BROTHERHOOD)” →

DALLAS IFF 2010 Video Interview: Co-Writer/Director Will Canon and Co-Writer Doug Simon (BROTHERHOOD)

BROTHERHOOD is the first feature by co-writer/director Will Canon and co-writer Doug Simon. It’s the story of some fraternity brothers who, after an unfortunate accident during their final initiation, end up dealing with a shot brother. Instead of reporting it, taking the heat, and possibly losing their charter, they try to hide it at all costs. Who wants to get in trouble, right?

As I discussed in the SXSW episode of our Podcast, BROTHERHOOD was my favorite film out of the festival. Many SXSWers agreed, as the film won the Audience Award (Narrative). The film also screened at Dallas International Film Festival and won the Audience Award (Narrative) there, so we thought that would be the perfect opportunity to talk to the gents about the film. Check the interview after the break. Continue reading “DALLAS IFF 2010 Video Interview: Co-Writer/Director Will Canon and Co-Writer Doug Simon (BROTHERHOOD)” →

DIFF 2010 Video Interview: Writer/Director Ryan Piers Williams and Actor Wilmer Valderrama (THE DRY LAND)

THE DRY LAND is the first feature written and directed by native Texan Ryan Piers Williams. The film is the story of a soldier (Ryan O’Nan) returning to his wife (America Ferrera) and their home in El Paso, Texas. After a traumatic tour of duty, he is dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and having a hard time coping. A fellow Veteran, (Wilmer Valderrama) becomes an important part of the healing process and helps him through it, as they cope in very different ways.

The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, and is now one of the big films playing at the Dallas International Film Festival. Yesterday I sat down with Williams and Valderrama and we talked DRY LAND and topics surrounding the film. It’s very clear in the answer to my questions that they’re both very proud and passionate about this project (as they should be).

Check out the interview after the break. Continue reading “DIFF 2010 Video Interview: Writer/Director Ryan Piers Williams and Actor Wilmer Valderrama (THE DRY LAND)” →

SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Steve Hicks (AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY)

This was a really unexpected experience for me. After my interview with the directors of AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY (which you can watch HERE), I was chatting with director Paul Thomas about Bill Hicks. He mentioned that he was impressed that I was such a fan of Hicks (maybe because of my age) and said he wanted to set me up with Bill’s brother Steve, who was also at the restaurant. It turned out that Steve came to SXSW along with Hicks’ mother in support of the documentary.

As I sat down with Steve, I admitted to him that I wasn’t expecting this interview, and that I was completely unprepared for it. So I asked him if he just would talk about Bill, and the effect the making of the film had on his family. He graciously agreed and the following interview happened. You can check it out after the jump! Continue reading “SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Steve Hicks (AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY)” →

SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Directors Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas (AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY)

One of the documentaries that made some big buzz at SXSW this year was AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY. During the festival, I sat down with the directors of the film, Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas, to discuss the trials and tribulations of bringing Bill Hicks’ life to the big screen. The film tells the story of legendary stand-up comedian Bill Hicks through the eyes of his family and friends and sheds some light on aspects of his life that many people might have misunderstood. We discuss being impartial while making such a film, the influence of Hicks even after his death and how the animated segments came to be. You can check out my our interview after the jump! Continue reading “SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Directors Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas (AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY)” →

SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Director Toni Myers and Astronaut Michael Massimino (HUBBLE 3D)

In 2002 I saw a little err…big IMAX film called SPACE STATION 3D. The film was directed by Toni Myers and narrated by none other than Tom Cruise. Eight years later she has brought us another great space-themed IMAX film, HUBBLE 3D.

I spoke with Myers and Michael Massamino, one of the astronauts from the film at this year’s SXSW. They were very fun to speak with and happy to open up about the making of the film. We discuss what it takes to be an astronaut, and the narrative structure of HUBBLE 3D. Myers also lets us in on what might be next for her and Massamino tells us what he thinks might be the next great space achievement.

Check out my interview after the jump!

Continue reading “SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Director Toni Myers and Astronaut Michael Massimino (HUBBLE 3D)” →

SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Director Malcolm Ingram (BEAR NATION)

Malcolm Ingram is a documentary filmmaker who previously directed SMALL TOWN GAY BAR. His new film, BEAR NATION, was such a nice look at the Bear community, and what Malcolm sees as its upsides and downsides. Malcolm himself is a Bear, and although he may not be in the film at all, he is very much the backbone.

Right out of the gate, he called me a Cubby and made me start cracking up. The entire time we talked, he was very funny and extremely nice to be around. BEAR NATION premiered at SXSW a few days ago and with all of the positive gossip (including mine) going around post screening, I wouldn’t be surprised if this got picked up by a distributor very soon.

You can check out the video interview after the jump!
Continue reading “SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Director Malcolm Ingram (BEAR NATION)” →

Video Interview: Ben McKenzie ("Southland")

I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t an avid fan of “The O.C.,” I watched the show religiously throughout its run. So when I was presented the opportunity to interview Ben McKenzie (Ryan Atwood on the show), I of course accepted. And it was a pleasure, because he was incredibly nice and gracious. I made the offhand comment that this was my first interview, and he loved it. After his attempt to make me nervous (jokingly), we did the interview. Continue reading “Video Interview: Ben McKenzie ("Southland")” →