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Paul G Andrews - Interview

In 2005 Paul established international television production company GlobalWatch, working with a host of multi-national companies at CEO level. He has interviewed and collaborated with senior Government Officials and the UK’s minister for Trade & Industry. Paul established GlobalWatch Films in 2013 to produce a slate of feature films, from lower budget comedies and psychological horror features to larger budget films aimed at the North American studio market. He is also a multi-award-winning writer in his own right, with writing projects that he has been contributing to or written himself winning over 40 Best Screenplay Awards across four screenplays. These projects include Irish epic The Great Hunger, Gorger, An Island Apart, and On Par.

Tell me about yourself.


 I have always been a massive film fanatic right from childhood. One might even say a romanticist and daydreamer with a very vivid imagination and a great ability to tell stories both happy, sad and endearing. Right now we have a slate of nine multi award winning screenplays ranging from historical epics to revenge movies and a spy thriller. I have worked in various areas of finance and marketing/branding/sales and have spent several decades in business tv and film production so believe I have developed a wide and very useful skillset which has helped achieve the success to date in film.

Tell me about your next film?


It’s a US $25m budget film called To Asmara, set in 1985 Ethiopia/Eritrea during the world famous LIVE AID concerts and infamous famine. It’s based on a best selling novel written by my friend and colleague,  Thomas Keneally , the famed author of Schindler’s List. It tells the story of an attractive and  brave African freedom fighter who falls in love with the hard-headed journalist she recruits to report and expose Eritrea’s war for independence during its conflict with famine ravaged Ethiopia.


Why did you choose to make this film To Asmara?


Because it was set during  on one of the most famous stories in the 20th century , LIVE AID and the Ethiopian Famine, but it reflected what the public didn’t get told. It also covers many current key issues in the present day such as race and gender equality, false media reporting, government corruption and cover ups, war crimes and the way Africa has been treated by Western society in the past.  The novel was also riveting and gave us an opportunity to develop such an outstanding screenplay that will in turn become an amazing film such as others produced in Africa like Blood Diamond, Hotel Rwanda and The Last King of Scotland and more recently The Woman King.


Do you think it will be a huge success?


 Well it has been already as a novel and now as a multi award winning screenplay. These type of movies, epics,  are being made less often as the studios focus on Marvel films and franchise movies like Fast and Furious. When they are eg 2013 ‘Twelve Years a Slave’, they make a massive impact. For me the litmus test is would I watch a movie again and again and the answer is yes if it’s a great story with compelling characters and drama that takes me on an emotional  rollercoaster of a ride with twist and turns. There is a huge audience for this type of movie and this is a huge and significantly relevant global story and to a certain extent reflects what is sadly happening in Ukraine right now.


What other films are in pre-production?


We have our Irish Famine historical epic The Great Hunger (directed by double Oscar nominee Roland Joffe), a revenge crime thriller called Gorger and a powerful forbidden love story/gang drama called ON PAR set in  South London and covering many teenage issues including mental health.


Describe the process you go through to select a director. 

What qualities do you look for?


Since the director is a key figure for any project, I consider their experience, passion and cultural fit when making a hire. Over time, I've realized it's important to find a director who matches my personality so that we can have a good working relationship going forward. Then, I review their work experience and determine if it aligns with the project's needs.


Let's say you're looking to become a producer on a new project. 

What do you look for when reading the script?


 When reading a script, I look for an interesting protagonist and a clear premise or storyline that an audience can relate to. I also like to see a good flow of character dialogue. A script needs to interest me within the first few pages so that it makes me want to continue reading. As a producer, I feel it's important to find a project I'm genuinely interested in so I can put everything I have into seeing it succeed.


Have you ever had to choose between the quality of a project or meeting the deadline? If so, provide an example...


 I've come across several situations where I had to choose between the quality of a production and the intended deadline. I aim to find a balance between the two. In my most recent project, I accelerated the production so that quality didn't falter. I also found ways to maintain the production's quality despite having to work faster to meet the original deadline. Thankfully, my experience as a producer helped me mitigate these situations.

Are you comfortable working with a team of people on a project?


I love collaborating with other professionals because it allows us all to bring our unique skills to the table. I find that when we work together as a team, we can accomplish much more than if we worked alone. When I’m producing a movie, I always try to get input from everyone on my team about different aspects of production. This helps me create a final product that’s well-rounded and meets everyone’s standards.


Describe your process for reviewing and selecting scripts.


I first read through the entire script to get an idea of the plot and characters. Then I look at the budget requirements and whether or not we can afford to make the movie. If so, I discuss the project with my team to see if they have any concerns or ideas for improvement. After that, I meet with the writer to discuss their vision for the movie and offer feedback on ways to improve the script. More so now we are creating our own scripts and across 8 film projects have won over 125 awards so we are doing something right.


What do you think is the most important aspect of a movie– the script, the visuals, or the overall message?


 I think it’s important for a movie to have an excellent script, visuals and overall message. A good script is essential because it tells the story and creates the characters. The visuals are what make the movie come alive, so I believe they’re just as important as the script. Finally, the overall message of the movie is what makes people want to watch it in the first place. If there isn’t a strong message, then the movie won’t be memorable.


Which actors or actresses would you love to work with?


I would love to work with Emma Thompson or Dame Helen Mirren because I think both are incredible talents and are  one of a few actresses  that would be really be suitable for a major part in our African epic To Asmara that just won Best Screenplay at your International Film Festival in Florence. Their ability to engage an audience is unparalleled and both bring believability and compassion to the characters they play. Sam Rockwell and James McEvoy are two others that are so versatile but there are many others I like also.


 What's the absolutely necessary ingredient to be a good screenwriter?


 Concept is everything. The audience wants to read/see  something compelling — something engaging that they haven't seen before. It's the essential element to every great  script.


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


 I agree to a certain extent but being smart and meticulous in your planning is very important. As the old cliché says ‘We don’t plan to fail, we fail to plan”


What's more important talent or luck?


Talent certainly for a great screenplay. When hard work meets talent success normally follows as you can create luck. But luck in who you know or access to funding can override everything meaning some projects get produced which reflect the latter meaning often the quality of what we see suffers. A great script sets up a scene and characters and leads them through a journey or over hurdles. By the closing of the movie, the viewer will see a bit of him or herself in your character/s, and this emotional connection allows the message to take hold.


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


 Those that came second! No, Seriously,  it would be to my family and people closest to me who have been there for me when it most mattered.

Nicolas Taylor - Interview

Nicolas Taylor is a Spanish American filmmaker. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona on December 2, 1997. He studied filmmaking at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona and co-created Crude Mechanical Films with Noah Bernardo in 2019.

Do you prefer Comedy or Drama?


I prefer to make dramas, but I love watching good comedies with my friends like the movie Raising Arizona. 


Life imitates Art or Art imitates Life?


I think that art imitates life because artists make what they know. What do we know better than the life we live everyday? One film I think does this well is 2018's "At Eternity's Gate" by Julian Schnabel. The film is about the life of Vincent Van Gogh and Julian is a painter himself. The film is about an artist made by an artist. 


Which is the best Moment on set?


The best moment on set for me is nailing a scene that I knew would be difficult. We had an argument scene in a courtyard that involved handheld long takes and passionate performances. We did many takes, but once I saw the perfect take I was so happy. The excitement from the crew when it happens is what keeps us going. 

Did anyone ever tell you weren't good enough?


Yes, I have had people tell me I wasn't good enough that realistically I wouldn't make it as a real filmmaker. But I have amazing support from my friends and family.   


How can you stay focused on your goal?


I stay focused on my goal by reminding myself that this is what I want to do and what I love. I have too much respect for the story and the crew to not give it my all and make it the best I can. 


Have you ever had a breakdown because of your Job?


Yes, on my film "We Should Be Strangers" I had a feeling on one of the days that it was very overwhelming, I was second guessing myself, time was running out, and I didn't feel like I belonged there. But I pushed through it and now I am so insanely proud of the whole team and crew for what we made and I'm proud of myself. 


Talent is a blessing or a curse?


I believe that talent is both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing in that the talent will come very naturally to someone and they will most likely thrive immediately. But I feel it can be a curse in that sometimes that person won't know what it is like to struggle until they reach a high enough level and they can't just rely on talent anymore. 


What would you like to improve about yourself as a filmmaker?


I would like to improve my time management skills as a director. I can sometimes get carried away trying to get a particular take that I accidentally push the schedule back a little bit. I had a short scene that should've taken about 20 minutes to shoot take almost an hour because I kept trying new camera set ups that weren't necessary. 


What's the worst critic you have received?


I think the worst criticism I received was for a short film I made in film school which said "the idea is there, but the execution wasn't". I still think about that on set to make sure I serve the idea and crew and make it the best I can.


If you weren't a filmmaker what would you like to be? 


I think I would be a movie critic if I wasn't a filmmaker. I love watching movies and talking about them afterwards, so I would love to tell the public what I thought of the movies that I've seen.


If Cinema was a color what would it be?


When I think of film I always see the sepia color from the beginning of the Wizard of Oz. The old timey look of those films are just classic to me and that's what I associate with film.


A day without a movie is...


A day without a movie is a sad day. I try to watch at least a movie or an episode of a TV show everyday if I can. For me I see it as homework, I'm learning from the ones who have made it in the industry and I learn what works and what doesn't. 

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


I think if I were offered a job for an idea I despise, but it would make me rich and famous I would take it. Even though I hate the idea, I haven't made the movie yet. So I could try and change some things to make it better and try to make it better than what is on the page. I would see it as a learning opportunity and I would be blessed to make the films I wanted to from the succes I received.


What's your greatest ambition?


My greatest ambition is to try to make a film in every single genre if I can. I want to be a very diverse filmmaker and have audiences be surprised with the films I make. 


What's your biggest fear?


My biggest fear is people seeing my name on a project and immediately having a negative opinion without having seen it. I think we should judge the movie and not what the filmmaker made before. 


Does music helps you to direct, write?


Yes, I cannot write without listening to music. I make a playlist of the music I think the soundtrack would sound like and I play it on repeat to fully immerse myself into the world I am creating. 


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


We actually have a silent film in post production that we are very excited about. But the message we want to share with the film is that even if we lose someone we love, it's important to take how they taught us to be happy and use it to move forward and build relationships with those that are still here.


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


My Oscar speech would sound something like "First I'd like to thank the Academy for the amazing honor of just being here tonight. I'd like to thank my family and everyone who supported me during this journey. But most importantly I'd like to dedicate this award to the cast and crew of the film. Without them I am not standing here tonight and this is just as much theirs as it is mine. Thank you again to everyone and goodnight."   

Robert Kouba - Interview

Born in the former Czechoslovakia in 1964 his parents emigrated in 1969 to Switzerland where he grew up. Robert had his first Super 8 Film Camera in 1974. Since then he is into movie making. But it was never his real profession, he is a lawyer. Robert made several movies with his son, who is also a film director. Now he is writing scripts and hope to find producers for his film projects. So far he received some awards for the script "Machliar".

Do you prefer Comedy or Drama?


I like both but I would prefer Comedy. Real Life is Drama enough!


Life imitates Art or Art imitates Life?


Art imitates Life


Which is the best Moment on set? 


When we just shot the perfect scene and everybody is relieved and happy.

 Did anyone ever tell you weren't good enough?


Oh yes, all the time. But that should never give you a reason to give up !


How can you stay focused on your goal?


Concentrate on the work and the result.


Have you ever had a breakdown because of your Job?


No, so far not.


Talent is a blessing or a curse?


It's a blessing if you understand how to use it in order to be happy.


What would you like to improve about yourself as a director/screenplayer?


I would like to improve my writing skills and write the perfect scipt.


What's the worst critic you have received?


That all of my characters in my script are not nice or sympathic and I thought they were nice !


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


A musician. I play guitar and piano and I have my own band. So I would be a better musician.


If Cinema was a color what would it be?


Dark Blue


 A day without a movie is...


Actually okay, because I don't watch a movie every day. I prefer to read a good book.

If someone offered you to direct/write a movie that you despice

but that for sure will make you rich and famous...would you accept the job?


It really depends on the offer. But I would be certainly inclined to accept the offer.


What's your greatest ambition?


To write a perfect script for the best movie ever.


 What's your biggest fear?


That I won't be able to do what I like because of beeing sick.


Does music helps you to direct, write?


No, I don't listen to any music while I am writing. That would only distract me.


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

audience?


Just loose yourself into the pictures without missing the words or music.


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


I would like to thank my parents who were brave enough to leave the communist Czechoslovakia back in the 60's in order to give me a better life. Without them I would not stand here before you and holding this Oscar. 

Thank you very much. I love you all !

Francesca O’Hop - Interview

Francesca has had a life-long passion for the film and television industry. After doing cameo appearances as a pre-teen in an episode of the U.S. television series Modern Marvels and two episodes of How the States Got Their Shapes, she recently graduated from the Film and Television Studies program at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, class of 2021. She discovered her love of music videos and eye for visual aesthetic through Korean Pop, and sought out classes in Korean language and culture at NYU. Francesca is half-Chilean, half-Polish, and a fluent Spanish speaker, as well as a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community herself. Francesca has won numerous awards for her feature screenplay "Black Ocean" and her short screenplay "Phases of the Moon". She was also co-writer for the short film "Della", which is currently in production.

What's the absolutely necessary ingredient to be a good actor/director/screenplayer?


A desire to learn new things constantly is the most necessary ingredient for me. There is a common saying that you should "Write what you know," but let's be honest, you can always know more! The broader our worldview is, the more stories we can tell, whether through our writing, our directring, or our acting.


First and last cinematographic crush?


Honestly, the first one was probably Jasmine from Disney's "Aladdin", when I was four. I can't remember the most recent cinematic crush, but that's okay, because I only have eyes for my partner!

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


When I was 15, I officially decided to go into film as a career. I have always been a writer, whether it was playing with my dolls and giving them incredibly in-depth backstories or drawing little picture books in my preschool classes. The catalyst for my desire to be a screenwriter, however, was finding Korean Pop music videos when I was 15. Every video was so cinematic and so dense with both verbal and environmental storytelling. Discovering K-Pop completely changed how I saw filmmaking, and solidified my desire to be a screenwriter. It's been nine years since that discovery, and I couldn't be happier!


For you a Film is...


For me, film is a medium of art that uses every other medium of art, including visuals, audio, and performance.


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


I have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), which means I am constantly thinking about multiple things at once. Since being a writer and director means you have to keep track of multiple things at once, it feels like a very natural extension of how my brain already works. So because of my neurodivergence, I actually find the processes of writing and directing immensely gratifying!

 

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 watch it?


I'd love to watch a movie with the late Satoshi Kon. "Paprika" left a massive impact on how I write visuals and dream sequences, and is one of my favorite movies. As for what movie we'd see...honestly I would watch anything with him. I would just want to know how he sees the world.

 

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


I agree that nothing is impossible; however, some things are more challenging to achieve than others.


Can you live just on your passion?


I think in general yes, it is possible to live on just your passion. In order to live on just your passion, though, it takes a lot of planning and perseverance.

 

What's more important, talent or luck?


I think that talent is more important than luck, because talent can beget luck, but luck can't always beget talent.


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


Any of Hayao Miyazaki's films, especially "Spirited Away", "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind", or "Howl's Moving Castle"!

 

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


Luckily, I have not! I have always seen the commissions I didn't expect as new opportunities to expand my horizons!


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


When I was writing "Black Ocean," my first feature screenplay, I reached out to one of my professors at New York University. This professor in particular was known for being tough as nails and brutally honest, and I valued his opinion the most out of any professor I had. I met with him and discussed my script, to which he gave amazing feedback. The next day, I came to class, and he called me out in front of the other students and told me he had forgotten to tell me something. I held my breath, unsure of what was going to come. This man looked at me and said the best compliment I have ever received: "Your first 10 pages are the most important. You don't need to change yours." My heart burst with joy. To this day, more than three years later, if I am struggling with a script, those words pop into my head and push me past my anxiety.

 Are you satisfied with your career?


I was lucky to get my start very young, my first internship being at the age of 16. Since then, I have been more than grateful for all of the opportunities I have gotten and the amazing people I have worked with. That said, I am only 24 years old now - I have a lifetime ahead of me to grow and develop as a filmmaker. Therefore, to answer the question, I am more than satisfied with where I am now, but I am always looking to try new things!


Do you have a good luck charm?


My partner, Rishika. She has brought so much joy to my life and encouraged me at every step of the way. She's a neuroscientist, so she always gives incredible insight on my projects, no matter what they are. I love her from the bottom of my heart.


Which is the worst moment on set ?


It's easily the time I was tricked by a director into being the victim in a sexual assault scene. I was a crew member on a classmate's project and they asked me to be an actor in their film on short notice. They informed the other actor that they would be playing a rapist, but didn't tell me that I would have my jacket ripped off and that I would be pushed into a wall. I didn't find out until 45 minutes into the shoot what the intent of the scene was, and told the director that I would not have my clothing ripped off. The director defended their decision, saying that I would be beating up the rapist in the scene and that it would be okay. I stood firm and told them no, I would not let myself be undressed in the middle of the street. I never would have agreed to do the scene if I had been informed of it. The other actor was completely horrified that I hadn't been informed what the scene was, and asked me the rest of the night if I was doing okay. I told my friends and my loved ones what happened, saved documentation of the event, and resolved to never put another actor or crew member through what I went through.


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


It's always bittersweet. I find joy in finishing the work and being proud of what I did, but I often revisit my old work and miss the process of doing it. However, that just encourages me to improve upon my process with whatever new projects I have.

 

Have you ever lied to get a part/job?


Never - I pride myself on honesty. I would rather people know that I am queer, neurodivergent, and have been through hell and come out the other side, rather than try to pretend that I am a very narrow version of normal.

 

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


My first thanks would go to my mother and brother. They have always supported me, through thick and thin. But recently, they have been especially encouraging in my creative endeavors. For context, my father passed away in the summer of 2021, and he had been my biggest creative partner. He had been reading and editing my stories, and helping me workshop ideas. Since his passing, my mother and brother have been extremely helpful in talking me through my thoughts, reading my scripts, and making me feel less alone. I would not be where I am without my family, and I love them with everything that I am.

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