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Interviews With Some
Emerging Filmmakers
A Not-So-Random Cross-Section
TREVOR GROTH, MIKE Plante, et al, selected the hugely diverse film program for the 2006 program (as mentioned in my article on this year's CineVegas). I merely seconded the motion on some of them, as to their caliber and artistry. If the filmmaker attended a screening of a film I found superior, I waited afterwards to visit. Generally eager to share their ideas, they loved visiting. If their viewpoint was unique, their attitude intriguing, I asked them for an interview. These are the ideas of the five I interviewed.
With an average age of about 26, this group demonstrated a pattern of talent, commitment to technique, passion for the subject and a good deal of professionalism, as well.
 
Realm Films picked off the Best Nevada Filmmaking Short. Shane Valdez and Lee Diskin made an intriguing filmmaking team, with vastly different perspectives and energy. '19 Miles To Vegas' as a mockumentary, was created within the 48-hour time limit of a recent 48-Hour Film Project competition. The competition has five requirements that had to be met, one of which was the genre 'chosen out of a hat.'
  
'19 Miles…' earned the Audience Choice and Best Directing Award. The theme Diskin suggested was intended as an ode to musicians in Seattle who were doing an ode to Bob Dylan. What the team did with the rest of the short was clever, concise and sufficiently appealing to win the CineVegas award. '19 Miles…' has screened at the Rebel Hollywood Film Festival, picking up Best Short Short, and at the UCLA Film Festival, garnering the Best Cinematography Award.
 
Natasha Schull, a cultural anthropologist on the trail of Las Vegas addictions (book soon to be published), filmed 'Only In Vegas'  which was about the wedding chapel industry. Her middle work, screened at CineVegas 2006, is 'Buffet: All You Can Eat In Las Vegas' caught the ambience and mentality of the buffets, as well as the values and intentions of their customers. Truly an unnerving film. She also co-directed 'La Promesa,' a documentary on a religious pilgrimage in Cuba, which won awards where it was screened. The Camera and Co-Director, Hillevi Zazel Loven, of 'Buffet…' was not on hand.
Blake Hillbourne is a Community College of Southern Nevada filmmaking student. His 'Ocean View' was a documentary. He demonstrated his aptitude for meeting the task set, which was make one on a simple subject about 'something you know.' His film caught the childlike quality of his nana in her later years, confined to home in Desert Shores, with a view of one of the lakes and the swans and ducks upon it. The resulting film was mesmerizing.
  
Jason Leinwald, also a competitor at the 48-Hour Film Project, entered another of his films in CineVegas 2006, 'Wrestling With The Past.' His tale of the heartbreak and embarrassment dealt by negative High School coaches lends humor to the student's revenge once an adult.
For the sake of brevity, let's try something different, hopefully not outlandish. To capture a reasonable cross-section, I asked the same questions. In that respect, their similarities were glimpsed in most of the filmmakers with whom I visited. Where they differed was an example of their unique approach, resulting in their unique contributions to the program. Their answers were as varied and interesting as the films themselves.
How did you feel about your audience response?
Shane: The audience was great, laughed at the right spots—it was really cool.
Lee: It was weird; we didn't get as big a response (extended applause) as we're used to at other film festivals (California festivals: Short Film Fest at UCLA & Rebel Planet in Hollywood). They were more welcoming, coming up afterward to ask questions.
Natasha: I wasn't inside, so what I heard was muffled like in San Francisco and New York, with a lot of laughter. We screened at the Santa Fe Film festival, The San Francisco Indie Documentary Film Festival, the Rhode Island Roving Eye Documentary Film Festival and the Anthology Film Archives—New Filmmakers. Afterwards, I was invited to the Hawaii Film Festival and the Florida Del Ray Film Festival, The Rocky Mountain. Film Festival—Women's Filmmaker. PBS is interested and Tomorrow's Planet. (At one of the after-parties, Natasha said that the Florida FF was locked in.)
Blake: It was a lot of fun hearing everyone's responses.
Jason: I was thrilled, especially on Thursday (2nd screening), which was a strong response, definitely going to submit to other festivals after this audience response. Maybe Austin?
How do you feel when seeing your art on the Big Screen? Was it your first time? Did the projection quality satisfy you?
Shane: Great sound and the screening projection quality was great, the music was louder, so the audience laughter didn't sound as loud…we learned a lesson there…
Lee: It was my first film, and so the quality seemed alright, was a little off, we had to dump it down to Beta for CineVegas, so daytime shots seemed off…they were shot with a Canon Excell 2 and a DVX 100 Panasonic…so good quality.
Natasha: It seemed too dark, the projectionist agreed and said he was getting a projector that matched the size of the auditorium, so the sound will be better too.
Blake: It was a bit overwhelming on the big screen…and it was my first time. To me, it was great professional quality projection…I think that was in part because John (his professor, John Marsh) did his magic, converting to Beta from DV, and maybe right out of his computer…haven't learned that yet…we're taught to be self-sufficient for a short…do everything ourselves…edit, make our own music, usually someone helps, like Tessa (a fellow student), she's a huge inspiration in the whole department…her stuff is like watching a painting move…we're taught compositing and editing techniques, because the digital 'revolution' makes that within our reach. Instead of Avid, we use Final Cut (5) & Premiere (digital transfer.)
Jason: The projection quality on the 1st screening was a little light, and the sound a little low…they fixed it for the 2nd…I had to do a second transfer the day before the first screening, so was a bit worried…after speaking to the projectionist, the sound and picture were much better…it was easy to fix for the 2nd screening…CineVegas is the cream-of-the-crop festival in town…
How are the festival organizers treating you? Do you like the pace, the parties, the danger?
Shane: Awesome…they went above and beyond, gave us extra passes for the crew, did a lot of PR…I was on National Public Radio for an interview, and UNLV 94.1, Channel 8 Morning News…they sent out special emails…Marcus and Jason La Forge were great…
Lee: I have had a great time, everybody was nice, Kirvin Doak was great…the parties were great…meeting the other filmmakers…we found a few distributors. Most dangerous promise…great…obviously a gimmick, but it was fun, and the parties…
Natasha: They are very attentive, responsive, if I needed something, they did it…the pace was fine…the parties are fun, I've gone to all of them…the selection speaks to the shorts and Indies, which is good…
Blake: What is really great is they treat you as an equal to any other filmmaker here…which surprised me…people approach me and we have 45 minute conversations…it's all pretty surreal…
Jason: Love 'em…I couldn't ask to be treated any better, helping filmmakers progress with their craft…they obviously love the films they bring in…the credit goes to them…they are the main reason [this] festival is getting better all the time…nothing but wonderful things to say…I was at all the parties, which to me is the most intriguing part of the 'danger' party atmosphere…really opulent, ridiculous practically…probably the best film festival because of this…
Are you meeting the buyers/distributors you hoped to encounter here?
Shane: No, no offers yet…will talk to Trevor after screening… [This interview was conducted before his cohort Lee's]
Lee: We're watching…like I said, we've found a few…that's my area a bit more, because I'm tuned to it…I work at UPN locally as a producer, so marketing and sales is what I know more about…
Natasha: …wasn't aware…in the academic environment, they usually have a panel and identify buyers…did feel a doc segment would do better…
Blake: …not really there yet…
Jason: We were really looking for people to work with on future projects…not really looking for distribution yet…
Is the networking with fellow filmmakers helpful?
Shane: We'll be 'working' the next few days, the rest of the week, so looking forward to meeting people…
Lee: …helpful…never know down the line, what will come from these contacts…I get a card today, I email them tomorrow…never know if they'll need me, or I'll need them…the technical conversations are very open—how did you do that? Or going up to the [black & white short] filmmaker and talking to him…very open…
Natasha: The networking is good…I gave my screener to some journalists and was invited and confirmed for Del Ray…
Blake: …like I said, it's great…
Jason: …like I said, it's very helpful, you find people with the same passions as you and maybe work on future projects together…got a lot of different information from different people, just a whole list, really…
Did CineVegas fill most of your expectations?
Shane: …and then some…
Lee: Oh yeah…it was the best experience I've had for sheer involvement…HQ, things to do, quality and number of films, more than [Los Angeles]
Natasha: Nice to meet them—mainly at parties…
Blake: Oh yeah, and then some…
Jason: Absolutely, I enjoyed the heck out of it!
What is your favorite 'going to the movies' experience?
Shane: Going to the theater with my family, we went every weekend…that's my favorite…we had a broad genre experience…
Lee: Naked, on DVD…I like the get away escape…want to be entertained…love Sour Patch Kids candy…
Natasha: I'm drawn to art house film, the art world…more into the academic experience…focused on this addiction trail…
Blake: I'm picky about the ones I see…hope my expectations are filled…
Jason: Depends…see a big summer blockbuster as fun…if a film affects you in some way, any positive emotion…enjoyment or emotional connection, especially if the entire audience is feeling it too…larger experience with everyone, like at a concert…
What are you personally looking for in films you seek out—like genre, action, Hollywood commercial value, passionate drama, social or political agendas, controversial or stories having a message?
Shane: Passionate comedy with romance…I like Wes Anderson…Life Aquatic, Royal Tennenbaums…enjoy them, but no plans to make any…our movie "Hands" is a life view of a 25-year-old…if you accept [what's in] this film and it doesn't shock you, then there's something wrong…we unveiled 'Period Paragraph' at the Palms the 5th of May… great feeling.
Lee: …lean to anything unique, regardless of genre…Wes Anderson, 'Bottle Rocket.'..Royal Tenenbaums…Sin City [in this festival] not my usual film, but the way it was shot was extraordinary…I like foreign films…I like translating books to film…how true to the other, to the original meaning…
Natasha: …shows me something different or unexpected, subtle…
Blake: …every trait feeds off each other, the more points you hit the more it fulfills…a lot of people miss the meaning…in this day and age, it's about quick enjoyment for people with little time…if you have the time, you can pick what you see…I'm addicted to aesthetics and story and noir…have to make intellectual, expressive pieces where you have to think a little…I'm not being pompous, it's hard to express…it's just like picking apart a puzzle…there is active and passive viewing…I prefer active.
Jason: As long as I enjoy the movie, no matter the genre…if it's funny, good…if it's a worthwhile experience, doesn't have to be a great movie, as long as I come away with a good feeling…love going 'to the movies.'
As an artist, do you enjoy or find the hype gratifying? Burdensome? Year 'round awards shows necessary?
Shane: Yes, love it, amazing to do it and people respond, positive or negative…seeing your DVD on their tray, wow…can't wait to do a feature film…want to touch them.
Lee: The hype is necessary, gets people's interested…the amenities that go with it, make it worth it…all the parties are like that, and again, it's worth it…the Saturday night closing party was such a forum to meet other people…the LA and NY filmmakers, all in one central location, access to them is so cool, puts them within reach
Natasha: I feel like I'm here as an outsider…not invested in that aspect, not really self-promoting…so finding the festival enjoyable…
Blake: …it's necessary…
Jason: …no personal experience…it comes with the territory…don't want to be at a level where the paparazzi follow you, making sure you have your kid in Africa…shaking hands, giving autographs, to some degree is OK…
What is your next project? Do you make films without regard to a known audience, letting them 'find' you? Are they aimed at commercial value?
Shane: …want to finish '19 Miles…' film festival circuit started in Los Angeles, now here and find where to take it next…we met a lot of filmmakers, and still need that experience…want to do a film that I believe in, my team believes in…direct and motivate a cast…I am not Hollywood, will put it all on credit cards if I have to…my family and friends support this (my Dad thinks commercial value)…my parents are right here with me, Dad is my business manager and she [Vickie Combs] is there for me as my producer…I've been in engineering for eight years, and now I've found something I love, it's exciting…I did what I set out to do, which was a short in three genres—romantic comedy ('19 Miles…'), mockumentary, 'Hands' and a psychological thriller, 'Period Paragraph.' Now I'd like to do another romantic comedy.
Lee: …don't want to make for one specific audience…it's not a good idea…if a lot of people like it, better yet…it would be good if elements were there that appealed to everyone in the audience, but not likely…yeah, commercial value is good, too, I have a house, car and student loans…so it would be nice to have some success at this…what I want to do is good films governed by 'less is more.'.. we've thought about how to make '19 Miles…' into a feature length movie…we've done a bit of everything, with our shorts…'Hands' and 'Paragraph Period' as well…want to take on a larger project…I have one drama/comedy I would like to do, 'Regan Loves Shane,' which is a kind of heart wrenching story like 'Garden State.'..my major was English, which I switched to Broadcasting, with English as my minor…love to write…
Natasha: 'Buffet…' put me on the trail of the cycle…next would be garbage, so thinking about going to the Waste Convention…corporate waste management…find the trail there…and see where it goes…
Blake: Shorts…to learn the craft…keeping things simple…
Jason: Probably shoot another short with Molly [Bernard] as the lead…studied under her grandfather, Joe, and directed him in a movie…'Wrestling…' was dedicated to him…he was at my house for Hanukah this past year…lucky I had this relationship and opportunity with him. I'm working on a couple of feature length projects…my goal, ideally…I would like to do 'World's Strongest Man,' it's not Polish or Icelandic, so probably never will be 'big.'..probably one of the feature length scripts will be aimed at that type of marketing…commercial value…I think there has to be a balance…I like comedies, so I want the audience to laugh…and yet not set yourself up with audience expectations…
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