Tell us about the projects you worked on before making ‘Project Stargate - An unscientific comedy’. How did you start, and how did you learn to make films?
Honestly, this is my first time making a film. I've been writing various types of stories since childhood, always dreaming of writing for an audience rather than just for myself. Cinema was my escape from teenage angst and a social activity with friends. My dad influenced my taste in films, and we often watched cool Westerns or action movies together.
Being an absolute beginner, I was incredibly fortunate to meet Rajab Mahmood, a young writer/director from the UK, whose production I was intrigued by. He helped me shape my script into something workable on a film set. Our production benefited greatly from Peter Heinrichs, our DOP, who handled all visual decisions, and from the amazing visionary writer/director Shawn Bu, from whom I learned everything about post-production.
Tell us about ‘Project Stargate - An unscientific comedy’. How do you describe it?
It’s iconic, witty, and self-aware. It may not always make sense—or does it? Our team has a knack for philosophy, and in today's political climate, we've created a playground for satire. The late 70s vibes add to its iconic image.
Please tell us about your favorite filmmakers.
George Lucas, Christopher Nolan, Gérard Pirès, Sergio Leone, Clint Eastwood, and Park Chan-wook—just to name a few. There are so many great ones out there, it’s hard to decide!
If you were given a good budget, what would be your ideal project?
I would produce an incredible post-apocalyptic science fiction movie with a lot of drama elements and visual effects. Isn’t that the dream for everyone? Or perhaps a really cool western with iconic dialogue and superb editing. A really visually strong thriller would be interesting too however.
Describe how you would ensure that production is on schedule. What steps would you take?
From my time as a manager, I’ve learned that planning is everything. An old housemate in Amsterdam used to say, "Prepare to plan or plan to fail." On a film set, external factors like weather can make planning tough, but flexibility is key. I would estimate the time needed based on script length, scene changes, costume changes, etc., and then add extra time for worst-case scenarios. Always have Plans A, B, and even C ready.
What was the hardest part of making ‘Project Stargate - An unscientific comedy’?
The timing and my lack of prior experience were the hardest parts! As an indie production without a budget, I took on multiple roles: producer, executive producer, director, and facility manager. This project wouldn't have been possible without an amazing team. Special thanks to Dennis Kremiec, who carried furniture and helped with all sorts of errands, including finding 70s clothing.
If possible, tell us about your next work. What plans do you have for your future work?
That’s classified information. Just kidding! The UK writer Grant Foxon and I have written the second episode for Project Stargate and even developed ideas for a spin-off. Besides this, I am working on the post-apocalyptic science fiction film I mentioned earlier—just need the funding to make it happen! Haha.
Comentarios