I began writing the script when I was 22 years old, while working at an internship with touchstone pictures in LA. I was making $100 a week working as a stock person at a hair salon with my best friend, and then wrote my script at night in my bedroom, while sitting on the floor in front of an egg crate which supported my Mac classic (an antiquated computer even then). I was 28 when we finally made the movie. The story was inspired by Robert Altman's Short Cuts, how fate intertwines lives and a film can introduce you to one character at a time, eventually linking them- I had recently lost a friend of mine from college, which put me in a pensive mood. After returning to LA from his funeral, I looked around a bar in Westwood Village one night, at all the people laughing and smiling Joyously having fun. I was struck at the beauty of it, and realized that had I not just experienced a loss I never would have appreciated something as simple as finding joy in dancing. This moment inspired me to tell a story where death can result in something positive, rather than gloomy.
As a director, which do you find more important; critical success, commercial success, or both?
Critical success. Although I suppose commercial success will be the thing to get me my next job.
Is there any particular Chester Story cast member/s that you would like to (or are going to) work with again?
L.G. Taylor, Jackie Anderson and Chad Beckim were all in our no budget film, The Gypsy Years, which we shot in 2000 It was great to bring them back for a paid job in The Chester Story. I would love to incorporate my actors even in small scenes and bit parts in my future films if they are interested (if they aren't right for the larger roles). We all had a wonderful time together on Chester, all the actors are extremely talented, from the day players to the stars.
In Chester, what was the most difficult scene to film?
It depends on whether you mean emotionally or production-wise. Emotionally it was difficult to film Ray's scene when his mother dies and when he tells Betsy and James about it . All the actors were extremely in touch with their emotions & to watch them break down and to have to say cut in the middle of that, and then watch them go through it all over is heart wrenching because each time they were crying in each others arms and tapping into something real. I also had a difficult time watching Andrea (Jessie) film a scene where she cried her heart out to Rhoda (Chippie). It reminded me that there were personal elements coming to life for me on the screen, channeled through the incredible talent of the actors. In terms of scenes difficult to shoot production-wise: The accident scene had the most variables, but was also the most fun (smashing the windshields of the cars, getting my first ride in the crane) our generator broke down, causing hours of delay, but I got a kick out of watching Teri Hatcher entertain the locals with card games and smiles.
The Chester Story was filmed on location in Wilmington, NC. What was that like?
I loved Wilmington, I miss it. There is a great film community down there, very small and supportive & the studio is very embracing as well. Great beaches too!
What is your favorite film and why?
I'm not sure where to begin! Since childhood my favorites have been Grease, Sound Of Music, The Wizard of Oz, and Westside Story. I'm a sucker for Musicals and in particular, these films were magical. They were a true escape with great story telling. Most recently, I saw The Bourne Identity and thought it was a fascinating action film (which I usually have no patience for)- finally a notch above the rest in terms of a thinking mans action flick with subtle performances and un-dramatic dialogue. In the vein of my love of musicals, Moulin Rouge is one of my favorites. I think Baz Luhrman is a genious and the Shakespearesque quality of the film matched with his visual wizardry and outstanding use of modern music, blew me away. I love independent film, it is by far my favorite genre. French film are unique in their strict use of visuals over dialogue. The acting and direction of these films are typically so close to reality I can feel it on my skin. Fat Girl, Blue etc. I learn something every time I watch a foreign film. One of my all time favorites, the sweet hereafter - such nuanced performances with beautiful imagery. Basquiat is one of my all time favorites as well and more recently, Y Tu Mama Tambien. I could go on for days here.
Can you tell us about some of your upcoming projects?
I'm always writing, and rewriting. I have four scripts that I feel are ready to be shopped around, and one of those, Shooting Livien, is in active development with cast being attached as we speak . We intend to shoot this fall, if all goes according to plan.
What are the benefits/disadvantages of writing a film as well as directing it?
One of the obvious disadvantages of being a writer/director is that often you are too closer to the story to know if it works outside of your own head. Cutting the lines you've written is no picnic either, but alternatively it's also a wonderful journey to see how your work can be improved through each phase Pre-pro, Production, and then Post. The day you finish the script way back when is just the beginning of where your writing will go, because as a Writer/Director so much editing of your own story can take place in the edit suite if you're flexible enough. There is both sadness and joy at seeing how the story evolves from where it began. I believe the advantage of being a Writer/Director exists along the same lines The film survives within your head, you live with it every moment of the day, and are perpetually visualizing, Casting, Creating, Imagining, Planning and you can therefore achieve what you want with more fluidity and specvity (which is a blassing when you have a small budget). The greatest advantage, however, is having the freedom, control and ability to rewrite a scene on the fly, or if it simply isn't working.
Do you have any extras lined up for a future DVD release?
Yes, I had my video camera with a P.A. at all times while we were shooting Chester so that I could look back at the behind the scenes someday.
Finally, The Chester Story is due to open in theatres late 2002. What do you hope audiences get out of this film?
The Chester Story is meant to bring to light many things, but most importantly to inspire hope that second chances in life and bring great reward both personally and globally. The Chester Story is also meant to convey the concept that death and tragedy, if looked at with the courage of another perspective can ultimately deliver amazing things in life to an individual, family, town, city etc. If paid close attention to, which so often we can't do in the face of grief. With the recent events of September 11th behind us, the message of The Chester Story is even more a propos, and I hope it will bring an element of comfort to its audiences. Life hands us painful, treacherous terrain sometimes. However, if one can step back and observe what they've been handed from a new slope, perhaps they'll see that even tragedy can bring aspects of good into the world, and even if this good is qualified in something only as small as appreciation for the taste of your first cup of coffee in the morning, or the tree blossoming just outside your window, or the fact that your friend lives down the street and has a barbeque every Sunday, then something meaningful has come from tragedy. It's up to you whether or not to embrace the revealed beauties that can be discovered through loss, and in The Chester Story, my characters ultimately did.
